The singer, who rose from the streets to fame as a gospel artist, shocked many when he appeared in a drag-inspired red outfit, complete with gold jewelry, high heels, and feminine dance moves.
The video dropped online this week and quickly went viral, dominating conversations on X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.
Critics called the performance “shameful” and even branded it an “Illuminati ritual” meant to mislead young fans. Others questioned how a man who once sought to lead youth in politics—when he ran for Mathare MP in 2022—could now showcase what they see as immorality.
However, not everyone was negative. Some analysts argue Bahati is simply reinventing himself to stay relevant in a competitive industry.
“Bahati knows what he’s doing. He’s no longer a gospel artist—he’s chasing global trends, and controversy sells,” music blogger Steve Ngesa noted, comparing his strategy to global stars like Lil Nas X who thrive on shock value.
The incident highlights the tough balance Kenyan artists face between creativity, reinvention, and public expectations.