Musician Kevin Kioko, commonly known as Bahati, announced he would run against current Governor Johnson Sakaja for the job of Nairobi Governor in 2027. Bahati Vows To Run For Governor.
At a Zetech University event, he made this declaration. He also informed the pupils that he intends to get his undergraduate degree alongside them.
“Juu nasimama governor nakuja hapa kufanya degree. Mnajua nilianguka MP. (You know I did not succeed as an MP but because I will be vying for the gubernatorial position I will come here to finish my degree.)”
When Bahati received the Jubilee Party’s nomination to run for the Mathare Parliamentary seat in 2022, his political career officially got underway.
But when he came under intense pressure to withdraw from the competition, things became complicated.
When speaking to the media, Bahati broke down in tears because it got too much for him. He criticised the Azimio la Umoja coalition for endorsing Anthony Oluoch of the ODM as their candidate.
In his emotional speech, Bahati pleaded with Raila Odinga and the then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to give him the opportunity to run for the position.
“I admire both you, my president, and Raila Amollo Odinga, but kindly give the country’s youth an opportunity. I am aware that there is zoning and that Mathare is an ODM stronghold, but please, just once, give the young people of this nation a chance. Allow Mathare’s populace to select the leader they’ve always wanted, said Bahati at the time.
He persisted in contesting despite the obstacles, but he came in last. Oluoch won with 28,098 votes, followed by Billian Ojiwa of the UDA in second place with 16,912 votes, and Bahati in third place with only 8,166 votes.
Bahati Vows To Run For Governor.