Bahati (singer) explained

Birth Name:Kevin Mbuvi Kioko
Birth Place:Kenya
Nationality:Kenyan
Years Active:2013–Present

Kevin Mbuvi Kioko, popularly known by the stage name Bahati, is a Kenyan singer and songwriter and former parliamentary candidate. His latest album, Love Like This, was released in 2021. He is also known by his nickname, 'Mtoto wa Mama'.

Early life and education

Bahati was born in 1994 in Kenya. He lost his mother when he was just 7 years old and was raised at ABC Children's Home in the Mathare slums in Nairobi.[1] [2] He attended Mercury Academy for primary education. For secondary school education, he attended Nakeel Boys' High School in Rongai, Kajiado County and St Theresa's Boys' High School in Eastleigh, Nairobi County, where he completed his KCSE in the latter in 2011 and got a C+ grade.[3]

Career

Music

Bahati's singing traces its roots from his high school days at St Theresa's Boys when he represented the school in the national music festivals. Siku ya Kwanza, his first song, was recorded in 2012 and eventually became part of his first album, Barua za Bahati.[4] The album also comprised his breakout hit, Mama.[3]

While he gained media recognition singing gospel songs, Bahati has since switched to contemporary secular music.[5] [6] [7]

In 2015, Bahati opened his own recording studio called EMB Records, EMB being short for 'Eastlands Most Beloved'.[8] He closed it down in 2020 citing frustrations and a lack of support from fellow artists.[9] [10]

In 2021, Bahati released his latest album, Love Like This.[11] It features the popular song Pete Yangu featuring Nadia Mukami.

Filmography

In 2024, together with his fiancee Diana, they launched a new reality series on Netflix, The Bahati's Empire.[12]

Politics

In 2022, Bahati announced that he would be venturing into politics, contesting for the Mathare constituency parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.[13] Owing to the party belonging to the Azimio coalition and the need to front only one candidate per coalition with the coalition's constituent parties agreeing not to field candidates in each other's stronghold areas, Bahati was initially denied the ticket before the zoning procedure was dropped.[14] [15] He came third in the elections held on 9th August garnering 8,166 votes.[16] [17]

After failing to clinch the Mathare MP seat, Bahati has hinted at running for a gubernatorial position in the next elections.[18]

Personal life

Bahati is engaged to Diana Marua[19] [20] [21] and, together, they have three children.[22] [23] They are also foster parents to a boy they adopted from the children's home Bahati grew up in.[24] [25] Bahati is also a father to another child from a past relationship with ex-girlfriend Yvette Obura.[26] [27]

Awards

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bahati blesses Mathare in the biggest gospel concert yet . 2024-01-14 . Standard Entertainment . en . Sheila . Kimani.
  2. Web site: Celebs who used to be street kids . 2024-01-15 . The Star . en-KE . Elizabeth . Ngigi.
  3. Web site: 2020-07-02 . Kevin Bahati: from orphan to Groove Award winner . 2024-01-15 . Nation . en . Hugholin . Kimaro.
  4. Web site: "Barua za Bahati" goes live . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en . Sheila . Kimani.
  5. Web site: Bahati officially leaves gospel, launches 'contemporary' album . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en . Kirsten . Kanja.
  6. Web site: Singer Bahati reveals why he no longer identifies as a gospel musician . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en . Diana . Anyango.
  7. Web site: 2023-07-30 . 'People behave like holier-than-thou' - Bahati reveals why he quit gospel music : K24 TV . 2024-01-15 . www.k24tv.co.ke . en-US . Ascah . Mwango.
  8. Web site: Bahati launches Eastlands Most Beloved recording studio . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en . Wesley . Kipng'enoh.
  9. Web site: 'We need to wake up!' Bahati makes shocking decision to shut down EMB Records - The Sauce . 2024-01-15 . www.capitalfm.co.ke.
  10. Web site: Ngigi . Elizabeth. 19 April 2020 . Gospel artistes are jealous of my success, says Bahati . 2024-01-15 . The Star . en-KE.
  11. Web site: Bahati admits to clout-chasing as he releases the 'love Like This' album featuring Nadia Mukami, Rayvanny + more - The Sauce . 2024-01-15 . www.capitalfm.co.ke.
  12. Web site: Musician Bahati launches new reality TV show on Netflix . 2024-06-13 . The Star . en-KE.
  13. Web site: AYEGA . DAVIS . 2022-03-18 . Bahati 'Mtoto wa Mama' joins politics, to vie for Mathare MP's seat » Capital News . 2024-01-15 . Capital News . en-US.
  14. Web site: NAKOLA . SHARON RESIAN . 2022-07-10 . Bahati to vie for Mathare MP seat after IEBC lists name » Capital News . 2024-01-15 . Capital News . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2022-07-10 . Bahati gazetted to run for Mathare MP seat . 2024-01-15 . Citizen Digital . en-KE.
  16. Web site: Victor . Amadala . 12 August 2022 . Bahati floored in hotly contested Mathare MP race . 2024-01-15 . The Star . en-KE.
  17. Web site: No luck for Bahati as he finishes third in Mathare MP race . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en.
  18. Web site: Hannie . Petra. 20 October 2023. Bahati declares major political ambition after failed MP bid . 2024-01-15 . The Star . en-KE.
  19. News: Ngigi . Elizabeth . Why Bahati has never married Diana Marua, 7 years after traditional wedding – Nairobi News . nairobinews.nation.africa . 20 June 2023.
  20. Web site: Bahati, marriage and fatherhood . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en.
  21. Web site: 2022-06-30 . Bahati on stormy first year of marriage: 'Diana walked out three times' . 2024-01-15 . Citizen Digital . en-KE.
  22. Web site: Diana Marua and Bahati announce arrival of their third child . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en.
  23. Web site: 2022-11-05 . Diana Marua 'excited' to celebrate birthday in hospital . 2024-01-15 . Nairobi News . en-US.
  24. Web site: 2022-07-15 . Bahati, Diana Marua announce they're expecting third child . 2024-01-15 . Citizen Digital . en-KE.
  25. Web site: 2021-07-13 . Bahati reveals why he stopped dating after adopting son - K24 TV : K24 TV . 2024-01-15 . www.k24tv.co.ke . en-US.
  26. Web site: Ngigi . Elizabeth . 15 March 2023 . Why Yvette Obura will forever be in Bahati's life . 2024-01-15 . The Star . en-KE.
  27. Web site: Bahati addresses Diana, Yvette Obura feud, Mueni whereabouts . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en.
  28. Web site: Full List Of The Groove Award 2013 Winners . 2024-01-15 . Standard Entertainment . en.
  29. News: Kerongo . Grace . 7 September 2013 . Gloria Muliro, Ringtone Win Mwafaka Prizes . 15 January 2024 . The Star.
  30. Web site: 2014-05-18 . AFRIMMA Nominees 2014 . 2024-01-15 . AFRIMMA . en-US.
  31. News: Gitau . Elly . 6 May 2014 . Rabbit Wins Big at Mdundo Awards . 15 January 2024 . The Star.
  32. Web site: 2015-06-07 . Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards . 2024-01-15 . Citizen Digital . en-KE.
  33. News: 9 June 2015 . Bahati the Ultimate Winner At Groove Awards . 15 January 2024 . The Star.
  34. Web site: 2015-06-07 . Bahati Wins Big at the 2015 Groove Awards . 2024-01-15 . Citizen Digital . en-KE.

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