Bahati's lavish gifts: Real wealth or just clout chasing?

Musician Bahati is once again in the headlines after gifting his wife, Diana Marua, a pink Mercedes-Benz Brabus G-Wagon for their 8th anniversary.

The extravagant present, reportedly worth Ksh 45 million, has sparked admiration and scepticism in equal measure.

The former gospel artist has a history of showering Diana with luxurious gifts, from high-end cars to expensive jewellery, leaving many wondering, does he genuinely owns this wealth, or is all part of an elaborate publicity stunt?

While the flashy gift had fans celebrating Diana’s latest acquisition, car enthusiasts online were quick to scrutinise the vehicle. Many questioned whether it was truly a Brabus model, with some arguing that it appeared to be a mere facelift of the standard Mercedes G-Wagon rather than an actual Brabus edition.

Sharp-eyed observers pointed out several inconsistencies in the car’s design, noting that certain key Brabus features were missing or altered.

Some labelled it a modified version rather than the real deal, raising the question, was this another strategic move by Bahati to maintain his high-roller image?

Diana Marua has frequently flaunted luxury cars allegedly gifted by Bahati, but questions have arisen about whether they truly belong to her.

In a 2024 Instagram post, she stood in front of their lavish mansion, with a fleet of high-end vehicles in the background. She used the moment to promote Bahati’s second studio album, prompting Bahati to take a jab at Kenyan artists.

“Mama Heaven, while artistes are broke, you are adding vehicles to your collection,” he commented.

Diana’s response was equally nonchalant. “It is just a Prado, and now I have a parking problem. I’m stressed about where I will park the vehicle,” she wrote.

Among the cars visible in the post were a blue Range Rover, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and a Mercedes GLE. Interestingly, Bahati had gifted her the blue Range Rover just a year prior, during their seventh anniversary.

This isn’t the first time Bahati has made grand gestures. In 2023, he surprised Diana with seven gifts, including an iPhone 15 Pro Max, designer perfumes, a parcel of land, and the highly publicised Range Rover Evoque, said to be worth Ksh 18 million.

A year earlier, in 2022, Bahati gifted her a Mercedes-Benz GLE class, reportedly valued at Ksh 9 million.

In 2020, she received a black Toyota Land Cruiser, estimated to be worth Ksh 5 million.

The couple also lives in a posh mansion, often showcasing their extravagant lifestyle on social media. Diana once hinted at their immense wealth, writing,

“Today, I’m in disbelief of how much we’ve accomplished. I have several cars in my compound, houses & properties under my name, and above all, a man who still wants to give me more. A man who never tires to show me & the world how much he appreciates me.”

While some fans believe Bahati and Diana are genuinely rich, others remain sceptical. Some question why the couple is rarely seen driving all their supposed luxury cars, while others speculate that these vehicles might not be entirely theirs.

One Instagram user humorously commented, “Sasa maliza advertisement before niwachwe.” Another asked, “Why have we never seen them driving all of these cars?”

With every high-profile gift, Bahati reinforces his image as a wealthy celebrity, but the lingering doubts persist.