Why I Will Not Run As Independent Candidate – Bahati

Kevin Kioko aka Bahati has insisted that he has no plans to run for the Mathare parliamentary seat as an independent nominee.

Speaking during an interview on Radio Maisha, Bahati said he’d tried to negotiate with Jubilee Party to decide after he was requested to allow Anthony Oluoch to run instead.

He maintained that he’s positive that he’ll be allowed to be on the ballot because the party believes in the dreams of youthful leaders.

“I am not buying the Independent talk because I feel that’s like betraying my party. And I believe also the party will not betray the young people.

“I believe Azimio has a place for young people…I have the ticket and nothing has been formally communicated to me to step down,” he said.

Bahati reiterated that he believes his name will be encouraged to the IEBC and he’ll start campaigning by the end of the week.

Asked why he wants to represent the people of Mathare, Bahati said he understands the plight of his people having been born and raised in the area.

“Mathare is where I was born and raised, it is the place that made me who I am.

“We have been wanting and crying for change. If I can do something to better the lives of people in Mathare, why not go for it. Mathare people are going through the same problems I went through more than 20 years ago,” he said.

Adding: “I thank the people of Mathare for voting for me, that is why I was awarded the nomination certificate.

“It is even worse when you are being told to step down for someone who has not worked for the people.”

Before this week, Bahati broke down while addressing the press saying that his nomination instrument had been recalled to pave way for another Azimio la Umoja seeker.

The philosophy- turned-temporal artist was quick to remind the leaders of his political conformation (President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga) how he has been pious to the Jubilee Party.

“I respect Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta. I am a big supporter of Azimio and Jubilee. I personally did over 555 stops campaigning for the president across the country. Please do not kill the hearts of the youths in Azimio,” a tearful Bahati pleaded.