Tanzanian music star Ali Kiba has apologised to his fans and fellow citizens after facing backlash for publicly supporting President Samia Suluhu Hassan during the country’s recent general elections.
Taking to his Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, November 6, 2025, the award-winning Bongo Flava artist wrote, “Poleni ndugu zangu Watanzania, na ninawaomba msamaha kwa kuwa kwaza.” Translated, this means, “My fellow Tanzanians, I apologise for offending you.” His brief statement came as protests and political tensions continued to shake the nation following the October 29 elections.
Why Did Ali Kiba’s Apology Stir Attention?
The apology followed days of intense public criticism against several prominent artistes who had openly campaigned for President Samia. In the weeks leading up to the elections, many entertainers were seen praising her leadership and urging citizens to vote for her despite growing concerns that the opposition was not being given an equal platform to compete.
When protests erupted after the polls, frustration quickly turned toward these celebrities. Many Tanzanians accused them of aligning with the ruling regime at the expense of the people’s struggles. As outrage spread online, some stars, including Diamond Platnumz, deleted posts endorsing the president, while others such as Billnass went as far as deactivating their accounts altogether. Ali Kiba’s public apology was therefore seen as a major moment in the ongoing cultural and political reckoning within Tanzania’s entertainment scene.
What Happened After President Samia’s Swearing-In?
President Samia Suluhu was officially sworn in as president-elect on Monday, November 3, 2025. However, the anger and grief over reported deaths during the protests did not subside. Citizens continued to demand accountability, while social media remained filled with heated discussions on governance and justice.
In her address during the inauguration, President Samia urged Tanzanians to maintain peace and unity despite the unrest. “We must choose what benefits us all, because the safety of our entire nation is protected by each one of us, with all our might and at any cost,” she said. Speaking both as a leader and as a mother to the nation, she appealed for calm and warned those inciting violence to stop. “I sincerely urge my fellow citizens to uphold peace and tranquillity. I want to use this opportunity, as a mother, to issue a warning to all those who have incited violence and unrest. Let them understand that chaos and the absence of peace only end in the testing of strength and defence, but dialogue brings about unity and understanding,” she added.
Ali Kiba’s apology reflects the growing pressure on public figures to align with citizens’ sentiments rather than political power. It also highlights how deeply intertwined music, politics, and social accountability have become in Tanzania’s public life.
By Risper Akinyi