Singer Kevin Mbuvi Kioko, famously known as Bahati, has sparked a heated online debate after offering Sh50,000 to anyone who returns his black and yellow Lakers cap.
The cap was reportedly taken from him during a chaotic moment when he was mobbed by fans, with the singer claiming it was signed by the late basketball star, Kobe Bryant.
Bahati took to his socials to share a video from inside his car, visibly upset about the missing cap. “Manze kofia manze kofia! Acha nikuambie hio kofia inaingiana na nguo zangu zote,” he says emotionally, with his bodyguard promising to recover it.
Bahati went on to say that he also lost one of his diamond earrings during the incident. He holds up the remaining earring and says, “Earing wallai!” before removing it. He adds, “Hii unajua ni pure diamond bwana? Unajua hii ni Sh100,000 imepotea hivyo,” emphasising the high value of the lost piece.
In the caption accompanying the video, Bahati wrote:
“50,000 Ksh for Anyone that Brings Back My Black & Yellow Lakers CAP… It was a Special Gift Autographed by the Late Kobe Bryant.”
However, his emotional appeal and reward offer did not sit well with many online users. Some Kenyans were quick to accuse him of clout chasing and copying Tanzanian sensation Diamond Platnumz, who experienced a similar incident during a performance in 2023 when his cap was snatched, causing a major stir online.
Wairimu Wa Nganga stated, “This was diamond saying sometime back.”
David Davido added, “Clout chasing na cape.”
Nyina Wa Twana commented, “Trying to be diamond so much.”
Baba T F Basmah said, “Clout chasing in a wrong way.”
Nick Muthui warned, “Don’t copy diamond,”
Osiako Sophia laughed, “Hahaha, I know this script from our neighboring country Tanzania.”
Sammy A Bel concluded, “Cheap clout chasing!”