On Sunday, July 17, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga asked Singer Bahati to shelve his parliamentary bid in favor of incumbent Antony Oluoch.
Speaking in Mathare Constituency, the former Prime Minister said the Machozi hitmaker would be incorporated into his government if the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party secures victory in the August 9, General Election.
“Here in Mathare, as Baba (Raila Odinga) I know I have two children of the same race. Do you want me to advise you as Baba? This is what I want…I have Oluoch and Bahati, this is what I decide…Bahati is my child I will give him a job in government,” Raila said.
However, in a statement posted on his official Twitter account moments later, the Jubilee party candidate declined Raila’s plea to drop out of the Mathare parliamentary race.
Bahati insisted that he would be on the ballot saying Mathare residents have made up their minds about him being their next representative.
“Cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and my party Jubilee… Blessed by God and Mathare people have decided that their next MP is Bahati Kiokio,” singer Bahati said in a Tweet.
During the rally, Bahati who was seated on Raila Odinga’s campaign vehicle, hurriedly left the rally immediately after the presidential candidate endorsed his bitter rival.
It is understood that this is not the first time the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party has frustrated singer Bahati’s parliamentary efforts.
Earlier this month, the EMB record label president was forced out of the Azimio la Umoja-one Kenya coalition party meeting before he could even address his supporters.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Polycarp Igathe were seen gesturing Bahati to exit the stage as they caution the master of the ceremony not to hand over the microphone to him.
