Gospel singer Phyllis Mbuthia confirms she was deported from USA ahead of key gig
By Steve Ireri, January 2, 2026Revered Kikuyu gospel singer Phyllis Mbuthia has finally broken her silence and directly confirmed that she was deported from the United States, days after rumours and concern spread online over her sudden return to Kenya ahead of key gospel performances.
The singer confirmed the deportation through a series of videos shared on her TikTok on Friday, January 2, 2026, where she openly acknowledged that US authorities had indeed sent her back.
“Pov: Is it true that you were deported? Me: Oh yes,” the singer wrote in one of the clips.
To back up her admission, Mbuthia publicly displayed an official document from the US Customs and Border Protection office based in Seattle.
The letter showed that she had been issued with a penalty for private use amounting to USD 300, further validating reports that she had encountered issues with US immigration authorities.
“US Customs and Border Protection, 1000 2nd Avenue, Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98104–1020. Official business. Penalty for private use: USD 300,” details on the cover of the brown letter read.
In all the videos, Mbuthia used Kigooco singer Maguta’s hit song ‘Kione Uria Ngai Ekite’, whose message centres on resilience, surrendering burdens to God, letting go of regret, and trusting divine restoration after hardship.
The song speaks about returning to God after difficult seasons, overcoming curses and rejection, and receiving a renewed comeback through faith.
In a separate TikTok video, the singer spoke about the development positively, suggesting that the incident, though disappointing, was proof that her journey had reached an international level.
She reflected on how issues that once seemed local had now escalated to global challenges, crediting God for how far she had come as an artiste and minister.
“We have left local issues and now we are dealing with international matters. It is God,” she wrote in the video.
Rife speculations
Her confirmation follows an earlier post shared on December 30, 2025, by Facebook influencer Irene Mwende, which first brought the issue to the public spotlight.
In her update, Mwende claimed that Mbuthia had been deported from Seattle over improper documentation and had already returned to the country.
“UPDATE | Gospel musician Phyllis Mbuthia has returned to the country following her deportation from Seattle, United States, over alleged improper documentation,” she wrote.
The post further added that Mbuthia had travelled to the US for a scheduled gospel ministry tour that included a crossover performance, and that her flight had landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“Sources confirm that the aircraft carrying Mbuthia touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) this evening. The artiste had traveled to the US for a scheduled gospel ministry tour, including a crossover performance in Seattle,” she added.
At the time of Mwende’s post, neither Mbuthia nor her management had issued an official statement, fuelling further speculation and anxiety among fans and followers.