“Politics Is Not About Clout Chasing”- Jalang’o Tells Off Bahati Ahead of 2027 Mathare Parliamentary Bid

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has cautioned musician Kevin Bahati against dragging the names of sitting and former lawmakers into his publicity campaigns as he prepares to contest the Mathare parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.

Jalang’o urged the singer-turned-aspirant to focus on building his own grassroots agenda rather than riding on the names of leaders who have already served in the National Assembly. His remarks come in direct response to Bahati’s recent criticism accusing both Jalang’o and former Starehe MP Charles Njagua (Jaguar) of failing to champion the welfare of Kenyan creatives in Parliament.

Responding to the criticism, Jalang’o emphasized that elective leadership demands genuine public service rather than showbiz publicity tactics.

“Bahati tried his hands on politics, and the one thing I will tell him is do not use other people’s names for your clout chasing; you do not know what it takes for somebody to be elected a leader. Do your interviews, and clout chase your ways. Politics is not about clout chasing; it is about serious work being done,” Jalang’o stated.

Jalang’o Invites Bahati to Inspect Lang’ata Development Projects

Challenging Bahati to look beyond entertainment headlines, the Lang’ata legislator invited the musician to tour his constituency and witness firsthand the development initiatives implemented under his leadership.

“Come here to Lang’ata and see the work we have been able to do. People of Lang’ata are very happy about the work we have been able to do, so when he thinks he can come into politics to clout chase, these are people’s lives. These are people who depend on you to deliver,” he remarked.

Jalang’o further reminded Bahati that entering the political arena fundamentally shifts public expectations, noting that voters will now judge him as a serious contender rather than a celebrity entertainer.

“But I want to tell him, ‘Welcome.’ From now, it is no longer just Bahati; it is Bahati, an aspirant running his campaign just like me. So atafute yake, awachane na yetu,” the MP added.

Background: Bahati’s Criticism Over 70% Local Airplay Bill

The exchange was sparked by Bahati’s recent appearance on The Obinna Show, where he questioned the legislative track record of Jalang’o and Jaguar regarding the entertainment sector. Bahati argued that the two former entertainers squandered their parliamentary platforms by failing to push for laws guaranteeing local musicians 70 to 80 percent airplay on Kenyan radio and television stations.

“Jalas and Jaguar were in parliament, and they are the reason I am being shown videos of artists who went to Parliament but failed to support the industry. What was so hard for Jalang’o or Jaguar to do that in Parliament? Just a bill to say if we want to create other musicians, we must say a local station will have no option but to play 70 per cent local, and that is how an unknown artist in Kisumu will get rotation and will be big because of enough airplay,” Bahati said, pitching his 2027 Mathare bid as a vehicle to reform the creative economy.