Kenyan musician Bahati has addressed the rising controversy after two individuals — a man and a woman — went viral on TikTok claiming to be his biological parents. The videos have sparked nationwide debate, reviving questions about Bahati’s childhood and his long-publicised upbringing in a children’s home.
In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Bahati urged the public to stop spreading falsehoods and to respect the memory of his late parents.
“Lakini wacheni jokes. Wacheni wazazi wangu wa pumzike kwa amani,” Bahati wrote.
Viral TikTok Video: The Man Claiming to Be Bahati’s Father
The elderly man who triggered the latest wave of reactions said he gave Bahati up as a child because he lacked the means to raise him. He pleaded for forgiveness and said he was ready for a DNA test.
“I am your father… I took you to a children’s home because I was not capable of raising you,” he said. He added that Bahati’s alleged biological mother was also alive and searching for him.
Another Viral Video: Woman Claims to Be Bahati’s Mother
The controversy deepened when a woman, appearing in a separate TikTok clip, claimed she was the singer’s mother. She said poverty forced her to take him to a children’s home shortly after birth.
“Bahati, mimi ni mama yako… Nilikupeleka children’s home kwa sababu sikuwa na uwezo,” she said. The woman added she was ready for a DNA test to prove her claim.
Growing Public Reaction
The dual claims have ignited intense online debate, with many Kenyans urging Bahati to conduct official verification, while others believe the viral videos may be attempts at clout-chasing.
Bahati maintains his biological parents died when he was young and has consistently stated he personally witnessed their burials.
