Bahati Dumps Jubilee, Joins UDA After Losing August Elections [PHOTOS]
Bahati was accompanied by his wife, Diana Marua as they were welcomed to President William Ruto's party by UDA Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala.
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Musician Kevin Bahati Kioko on Wednesday, April 12 put the woes of losing the August 9, 2022, general elections behind him by joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Bahati was accompanied by his wife, Diana Marua as they were welcomed to President William Ruto's party by UDA Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala.
The couple were among the likes of MC Jessy, KRG The Don, Diana Marua, DJ Kwenye Beat, Sammy Boy, Mash Mwana, and Dufla Diligon among other musicians and entertainers who joined the ruling party.
Musicians Bahati, Diana Marua and KRG The Don during a meeting at UDA headquarters in Nairobi on April 12, 2023. /FACEBOOK.UNITED DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
"Secretary General, Hon. Cleo Malalah this morning welcomed to the Party new members led by Former Mathare Constituency, Jubilee aspirant, Kevin Kioko, alias Bahati Kenya, Ruffton, Krg, MC Jessy and other notable artistes from the Kenyan entertainment industry," UDA stated in part.
Malala assured the newcomers of the party’s commitment to ensuring that the government supports the entertainment industry so that young people are dignified.
He added that the party would also support celebrities with the ambition to become leaders, by mentoring and nurturing them.
"UDA has its doors open to Kenyan youths from all walks of life, and pledges to walk its talk on matters of youth empowerment in the country." Malala opined during a press briefing.
On his part, Bahati expressed his delight in defecting from the Azimio la Umoja coalition to join UDA, eight months after losing the Mathare parliamentary race in the 2022 elections which he vied for under the Jubilee Party ticket.
While accusing Azimio of blackmailing him, Bahati expressed that UDA would give him the confidence for a second attempt at the Mathare parliamentary seat in 2027.
"I was crying a lot at the other side (Azimio), every day I was being reminded that I was denied a ticket, that I if I step down from the race, I'll be given a job. I was just given the job of singing, that's why I have joined UDA because it is a party for the youth, for entertainment and talents.
Bahati and MC Jessy join UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala during a presser on April 12, 2023. /INSTAGRAM.BAHATI KENYA
"I know in 2027 for the first time in UDA, it will have a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mathare," addressed Bahati.
The Najua hitmaker further claimed that President Ruto had supported him when he was running for the seat at that time.
"If there is anyone that believed in me when I was vying for the Mathare parliamentary seat was our dear president. I thought I let him down, at that point I can say I was confused and I'd like to beg him to forgive me.
"From that time, I have studied and understood and as a prodigal son, I have returned home," he added.
MC Jessy, who defected from UDA in 2022 following a fallout in the primaries, said that he was delighted to be back home, but also chided the party for granting the ticket to Mwiti Kathaara who eventually lost to Jubilee’s Dr Shadrack Mwiti Ithinji. However, he said he had let bygones be bygones and would join the party alongside his supporters.
Malala tasked veteran musician Rufftone to lead the group of entertainers. Rufftone extended an invitation to other musicians and entertainers to join the ruling party and help advocate for their issues.
Bahati in the parliamentary race finished third with 8,166 votes to the incumbent Anthony Oluoch of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and secure his seat for another term, with Billian Ojiwa of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) coming in second. Oluoch won with 28,098 votes while Ojiwa came in second with 16,912 votes.
Bahati on August 11, 2022, expressed concerns regarding the vote tallying process in the constituency, adding that he was tired of waiting to be announced as the winner of the polls.
He further claimed that tallying was stopped at St Teresa Primary School, further stoking rumours that the ballot in the constituency was subject to being rigged.
Bahati, Diana Marua and MC Jessy join UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala during a presser on April 12, 2023. /INSTAGRAM.BAHATI KENYA
