Musician Kevin Kioko, popularly known as Bahati, has questioned former Starehe Member of Parliament Charles Njagua, known as Jaguar, over his music career, claiming that the singer struggles to attract genuine attention to his new releases and may be buying views on TikTok.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, November 13, 2026, Bahati revisited Jaguar’s transition from music to politics and back to entertainment, questioning what he had achieved in the music industry after serving in Parliament.
Bahati suggested that Jaguar’s return to releasing music hadn’t brought the audience growth he expected, alleging that the former legislator was paying to increase views on his TikTok videos.
“Even the way I’m hearing it right now that I will fall in my political journey and embarrass myself at a local radio station, ningekuwa nisharudi mahali natakaa. Right now, Jaguar isn’t in Parliament. So why does he release songs but hasn’t built anything in the music industry? Right now, you find he’s struggling to get views, which makes him probably buy views,” Bahati said.
His remarks came amid an ongoing exchange between the two musicians, after Bahati criticized former legislators who transitioned from entertainment to politics.
Bahati questions Jaguar’s music journey
Jaguar, whose real name is Charles Njagua Kanyi, served as the Member of Parliament for Starehe Constituency between 2017 and 2022. Before venturing into politics, he had established himself in the Kenyan music industry with popular songs including Kigeugeu, Kioo, Kipepeo and One Centimetre.
After losing his parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Election, Jaguar became less active in releasing music, before making a comeback in September 2026 with a new song titled Safari ya Maisha.
The song reflects on his personal journey, including the challenges he encountered while building his music career and the experiences that shaped his life. Jaguar described the release as a personal reflection intended to encourage people going through difficult moments.
His return to music appears to have provided fresh material for Bahati’s criticism, with the latter questioning whether Jaguar had managed to rebuild his place in the entertainment industry after his political career.
However, Bahati’s claims about purchased TikTok views were not accompanied by evidence, and Jaguar had not publicly responded to the specific allegation.
Bahati shifts focus to 2027 Mathare parliamentary race
Bahati’s comments come as he prepares to make another attempt at elective politics, having announced his intention to contest the Mathare parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
The singer first ventured into politics in 2022 when he contested the same seat on a Jubilee Party ticket but lost to the Orange Democratic Movement’s Anthony Oluoch. He finished third in the race after garnering 8,166 votes.
This time, Bahati says he is approaching the contest with more experience and intends to use his understanding of Mathare, where he grew up, to connect with residents.
His proposed priorities include education, healthcare and employment opportunities for young people.
The musician’s political ambitions have also reignited conversations about the relationship between Kenya’s entertainment industry and elective politics, particularly whether artists who enter Parliament can use their positions to address challenges facing the creative sector.
Bahati has maintained that one of his priorities, if elected, would be to push for legislation requiring local media stations to dedicate between 70 and 80 per cent of their music airtime to Kenyan productions.