Bahati: My daughter Malaika is famous than Mariga
By Paulette Mboga, September 4, 2025Kenyan singer Bahati has sparked conversation after boldly declaring that his young daughter, Malaika, is more famous than former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga.
The remark came during an Instagram interview on Thursday, September 4, 2025, where Bahati addressed claims that he was seeking clout by mentioning the former Harambee Stars midfielder.
Responding to critics, Bahati dismissed the idea that he would use Mariga’s name to trend online. “
Mariga ako na jina gani nitafute clout na yeye? That is one. Mariga ako na followers wangapi? Hata, my daughter Malaika is more famous than Mariga. My daughter, my lastborn, is more famous. So I don’t need kutafuta clout. You understand?” he said.
The singer insisted that he has no reason to attach himself to Mariga’s legacy for relevance. Instead, he argued that his music career, family, and children already give him enough public attention without the need for external validation.
Sabotage claims
Beyond the fame debate, Bahati also spoke about frustrations surrounding Kenyan football. He alleged there had been sabotage in recent efforts to fulfil his Ksh1 million promise to Harambee Stars, explaining that proper procedures were not followed.
“There is a procedure. If football…the federation of Kenyan football has not given you permission to do something you can’t do. We have no power to put the team together. That can only be done by the FKF team, understand? That was a clear sabotage,” Bahati explained.
He further suggested that disagreements over money may have fuelled the conflict, with different parties preferring varying channels of distributing support.
“At the end of the day, we can help other people. Pengine wanataka hii pesa wapewe direct. Na sisi tunataka kuwapea players. So that is the difference,” he added.
Bahati’s remarks about his daughter Malaika being more famous than Mariga have since gone viral, drawing mixed reactions from fans and social media users.
Despite his strong words, Bahati is yet to fulfil his earlier promise to Harambee Stars, a pledge that earned him both praise and scrutiny when it was first announced. Fans continue to question whether the commitment will eventually be honoured.