Football Kenya Federation Vice President McDonald Mariga has publicly called out musician-turned-politician Bahati over what he describes as an unfulfilled promise to Harambee Stars players.
The former footballer did not mince his words, branding Bahati “a pathetic liar” for allegedly failing to honor a KSh1 million pledge he made to the national team.
Mariga, speaking with visible frustration, said that whenever he reached out to Bahati regarding the promised funds, the artist gave flimsy excuses that did not make sense.
“Bahati is a pathetic liar. Whenever I call him over the KSh1 million he promised the players, he keeps giving petty excuses that do not make sense. I hate liars, because no one asked him to give Harambee Stars money, he is the one who made the announcement. So, I stopped picking his calls because I don’t engage in social media clout. He is full of nonsense and clout-chasing,” Mariga lashed out.
The controversy stems from Bahati’s highly publicized vow to reward the Harambee Stars squad with KSh1 million after their impressive performance during the Kenya Morrocco game.
At the time, Bahati’s gesture was praised as an act of patriotism and encouragement for the players. However, days down the line, murmurs of disappointment began to surface as the money never reached the intended beneficiaries.
Several players have expressed their dissatisfaction, noting that while they appreciated the recognition, Bahati has not followed through with his promise.
They say it feels like the commitment was made for attention rather than genuine support. For them, a public promise carries weight, and its unfulfillment has left a bitter taste.
The issue has since sparked mixed reactions online, with fans of Bahati defending him while others accused him of chasing clout at the expense of hardworking athletes.
Many argue that such unfulfilled pledges demoralize players who sacrifice so much for the country, while others feel Mariga’s public outburst could have been handled privately.
As it stands, Bahati has yet to publicly respond to Mariga’s accusations. What remains clear is that his goodwill gesture has now turned into a storm of controversy, raising questions about accountability and the dangers of making promises in the heat of the moment.
For Harambee Stars, the focus remains on their future performance, but for Bahati, the heat is on to either fulfill his pledge or face growing backlash.