Controversial political musician Onyi Jalamo has made headlines again after shifting his support to President William Ruto and endorsing his second-term bid. The musician released a remix of his 2017 hit “NASA Tibim,” this time praising Ruto and critiquing the opposition for lacking a clear political agenda. The move surprised many, given that just four months ago, Onyi had used the same song to endorse Rigathi Gachagua.
The new version of “NASA Tibim” has been modified to reflect Onyi’s alignment with the president. In the lyrics, he emphasizes Ruto’s leadership while claiming the opposition operates without clear plans or policies. Onyi’s commentary in the song also highlights his critical view of opposition strategies, portraying them as tribal-driven and ineffective.
Interestingly, Onyi had used the track in August to praise Gachagua following his return from a US trip. At that time, he described Gachagua as a truthful leader prepared to guide Kenya toward liberation. This recent shift to Ruto’s camp has fueled debates about Onyi’s political consistency and the influence of musicians in political campaigns.
The song’s chorus includes lines such as, “Nitasema sitajifinya, Ruto atawashinda asubuhi na mapema. Opposition ni bure. Kazi ya ni kabila. Hawana ajenda na sera,” directly endorsing Ruto while questioning opposition credibility. Onyi’s social media posts suggest he is using music as a tool to influence voter perceptions ahead of upcoming elections.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma noticed the remix and rewarded Onyi with KSh 20,000 for publicly praising the president. Onyi shared the reward on social media, stating, “Onyi Tibim has won KSh 20,000, just like that.” The incident has reignited discussions on the role of musicians in political endorsements and their impact on public opinion.
Onyi Jalamo’s political musical interventions continue to attract attention across Kenya. His latest switch demonstrates how musicians can pivot quickly between political factions, using art to express support, critique rivals, and shape the political narrative. Fans and critics alike are closely watching to see if he will maintain this alignment in the coming months.
