Phyllis Mbuthia reappears on TikTok days after opening up about her USA deportation
By Steve Ireri, January 19, 2026Revered Kikuyu gospel singer Phyllis Mbuthia has made a TikTok comeback weeks after she shared emotional posts confirming that she had been deported from the United States while travelling there for a key gospel performance.
In the posts shared on her page on Monday, January 19, 2026, Phyllis affirmed that she has been doing well since the incident and also went ahead to introduce her little-known brother to her fans and followers online.
In the video, the singer used Yesu Hajasafiri by Obby Alpha as the background soundtrack and confidently expressed that she was continuing to enjoy the journey of faith and direction through which God has been leading her life.
“My brother and I, we have seen Him,” she captioned the video, referring to the grace they have witnessed in their lives despite the challenges.
In another separate video, Phyllis sang word for word a popular Kikuyu gospel song that speaks about the struggles, trials and situations that often cause people shame and embarrassment, but which are ultimately resolved only through God’s intervention.
She once again featured her brother in the clip, a move that appeared to resonate deeply with her audience, as fans and followers flooded the comment section with comforting and faith-filled messages.
Deportation
The ‘Candidate’ hitmaker confirmed that she had truly been deported through a series of videos shared on her TikTok on Friday, January 2, 2026.
“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 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.