Kenyan singer Kevin Bahati is once again at the center of an online storm after boldly suggesting that his young daughter, Malaika, is more famous than retired football star McDonald Mariga.
The comments came as Bahati tried to defend himself against accusations of clout chasing in his ongoing fallout with Mariga. The two have been at loggerheads over Bahati’s unfulfilled pledge of KSh 1 million to Harambee Stars players, a promise he made publicly but has yet to deliver.
In a video that quickly made rounds online, Bahati dismissed claims that he was riding on Mariga’s name to stay relevant. Instead, he insisted he had no reason to use the footballer for attention.
“What clout would I gain from Mariga? Even my daughter Malaika is more famous than him,” Bahati said, with a cheeky grin that left many Kenyans unimpressed.
Mariga, who is now vice president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), did not take the comments lightly. He accused Bahati of lying about the pledge and avoiding his calls, insisting the money should go directly to the players rather than through football officials. “I’m still waiting for him like a man,” Mariga said pointedly in response.
The clash between the musician and the football legend has spilled onto social media, where fans have not been shy about weighing in. Many sided with Mariga, reminding Bahati that his record in international football and his role in raising Kenya’s sporting profile far outweigh any claims of being overshadowed by a toddler’s Instagram fame.
“Mariga is international. Show some respect,” one fan commented, while others accused Bahati of turning what should have been a generous gesture into unnecessary drama.
Still, Bahati has stood his ground. He maintains that bureaucracy within FKF made it difficult for him to channel the pledge, despite flaunting bundles of cash online to prove he could honour the promise. He insists that the backlash is unfair and that his intentions were genuine.
Reactions
@SilaShedrack says, “Mariga is not your level in terms of everything. You not even known across Kenya leave alone cross border. Having said that, no one coerced you to put money on Harambee stars. So, honestly stfu and honor your promise.”
@paulcosyy had this to tell Bahati: “Famous than who? Mariga is a champions league winner nevertheless a treble winner with Mourinho’s inter Milan of 2009….mariga is an international recognized figure bana….Bahati is well known at Nairobi and vitongoji vyake.”
For @loreekiki2, Bahati needs some schooling. “Someone to remind Bahati that Mariga is a true Kenyan legend and a mentor to many footballers in kenya and across Africa.He should also be reminded that Mariga isn’t a social media personality like him who depends on social media for survival.”
Whether this spat dies down or drags on will depend on if Bahati will finally deliver on his pledge. Until then, Kenyans seem torn between amusement and irritation at a feud that has mixed music, football, and family in the most unexpected way.
