Tanzanian rapper to run for president

Speaking during a recent interview with a local online publication, the rapper, whose real name is Emmanuel Elibariki, said he would seek the presidency, although he was yet to decide on which political party's ticket he would run on.

“From now on I will avoid unnecessary scandals,” he said. “I have decided to live a scandal-free life because I am planning to vie for presidency in 2020 and scandals might spoil my bid.”   

The rapper has found himself in trouble in the past over his hard-hitting songs against the state of affairs in Tanzania, where he has openly questioned President John Magufuli’s style of governance.

In March 2017, Nay wa Mitego was arrested for releasing ‘Wapo’, a song that allegedly insults Magufuli's government. In the song, the rapper addresses someone he calls "a doctor specialising in lancing boils". The phrase "lancing boils" has been used repeatedly by Magufuli as a threat to his detractors.

Earlier this year, the rapper was one of the musicians whose songs were banned by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) for their lyrical content.

In recent years the East African region has seen a rise in musician-activists coming out to reveal their intentions to join politics.

They include radical hip hop artist Nickson Simon (Nikki wa Pili), who announced last year that he would run for president in Tanzania as an independent candidate in 2020. In Uganda, Daniel Lubwama Kigozi (Navio) announced that he would seek a parliamentary seat for the Rubaga constituency in 2021. This after Ugandan musician Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) won the Kyadondo East parliamentary seat in June last year. 

If their bids are successful, they will join other East African artists that have successful transitioned into politics. They include Tanzanian rappers Joseph Mbilinyi (MC Sugu) and Joseph Haule (Professor Jay), Kenya’s Charles Njagua (Jaguar) and Uganda’s Judith Babirye.

Last year, Ugandan music promoter Suudi Lukwago said musicians who wanted  to join politics should first demonstrate leadership skills.

“Bobi Wine didn’t just wake up and dream of becoming a politician,” he said. “He started way back with his music, which had messages carrying his political aspirations, so I urge other musicians not to be swayed by his win to determine their fate.”