Since announcing his candidacy for the Kibra parliamentary seat on Monday, November 4, the popular rapper Octopizzo has received an equal share of criticism and support.
Much of the negative criticism has come from the fact that he is yet another artiste seeking to transition to politics, as many before him have done.
However, in a series of posts and responses on X, Octopizzo, whose Kibra roots form a significant part of his brand, revealed that he has had several political connections, particularly after a critic highlighted the irony of the Kibra constituency transitioning from the "fine gentleman" MP Ken Okoth to Octopizzo.
The rapper revealed that among his political connections has been working in the campaign team of the late MP Okoth, who was serving his second term at the time of his passing in 2019. He had been elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017.
"I actually had the honour of being part of the late Ken Okoth’s campaign team. We walked that journey together to ensure he was elected," he said.
"If your comment about me being an artist is 'lowering the bar', then I’d invite you to try being an artist yourself. Our people don’t just need politicians who speak. They need leaders who create, who can inspire and bring innovative, community-centred solutions."
He further revealed that he has been helping the people of Kibra achieve such community-centred solutions since 2016 through various initiatives.
Octopizzo relayed that he had been blending creativity, leadership, and action to uplift the Kibra people, asserting that today's leadership required both intellect and imagination.
Octopizzo has also received overwhelming support from his fans, who mostly associate with the initiatives he has carried out for the people of Kibra over the years.
Among these initiatives has been the establishment of the Octopizzo Foundation, which aims to empower marginalised youth, particularly in Kibra, through creativity, art, music, and sports.
He has also been running the Young Gifted & Black (YGB) group, which engages young rappers, graffiti artists and creatives, shifting narratives around Kibra slums.
Others include WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) programmes via workshops in Kibra, in which he leverages football and other sports to promote hygiene, as well as running a juvenile prison reform programme.
His foundation is also working on various solar and clean energy, and water access projects outside Kibra in Kwale and Siaya counties.
If he runs, he will seek to unseat MP Peter Orero, who recently made headlines after clashing with CNN International correspondent Larry Madowo over traffic while his driver was driving the wrong way.
