Bahati gazetted to run for Mathare MP seat

Bahati's name was on Sunday gazetted by IEBC in the list of candidates set to contest in the August General Election.

Taking to Twitter, the singer wrote “It official that on the 9th of august 2022.... I will be on the ballot as the next member of parliament mathare constituency under the #Jubilee_Azimio ticket!!! Asante Yesu, pokea sifa Mungu. [sic]”

The gazettement comes after Bahati, who is vying on a Jubilee Party ticket,  had been asked to step down from the race in favour of an ODM candidate under a zoning arrangement in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition political outfit.

On June 29, the musician went online to blast ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna for allegedly telling him to drop his candidature and back incumbent MP Anthony Oluoch.

He further claimed was offered Ksh.50 million to drop his bid in favour of Oluoch.

Speaking on Radio Citizen, Bahati said Mr. Oluoch was among those who approached him asking for his support, but nonetheless vowed not to drop out of the race. 

“He told me to do a campaign song for him and support him. They want to use a person from Mathare to get to the people,” said.

Bahati will be facing off ODM's Anthony Oluoch, Usawa Party’s Moses Gachira, Jacob Karanja (Independent), Reuben Liyala of The Labour Party and James Madafu of ANC.