Former Tip Top Connections signee, Dogo Janja, and his team are in full celebration mode after clinching the Ngarenaro Town, Arusha Mayor seat in the just concluded Tanzanian General Election.
The rapper, who was the youngest among the candidates, shocked many after beating seasoned politicians to secure the coveted position.
Dogo Janja first broke the news himself, moments after receiving his official acknowledgment letter.
Taking to his social media pages on the evening of Monday, November 10, he shared a photo of his certificate accompanied by a short thanksgiving message to his supporters.
He also promised to dedicate his new role to serving the community diligently and with respect.
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“Ngarenaro imenichagua. Nami nitaihudumia kwa heshima, upendo na kazi,” he wrote.
His victory sparked reactions online as fellow Tanzanian celebrities, fans, and supporters flocked to the comments section to congratulate him.
However, the win came as a surprise to many, especially because Dogo Janja’s candidacy was almost jeopardised following a gun-related incident during the campaign period.
The rapper made regional headlines after shooting a Form Four student in the leg.
As earlier reported by Nairobi News, Dogo Janja, a licensed gun holder, allegedly shot 18-year-old Bakari Halifa on the night of August 23 while heading to his brother’s house for dinner in Arusha.
Police reports indicate that Bakari, who is said to be a close friend of the rapper, confronted him as he was alighting from his car at around 11:30pm.
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In his defense, the rapper, whose real name is Abdulaziz Abubakari, claimed he shot in self-defense, alleging that Bakari and others intended to harm him.
However, Bakari’s family has strongly disputed Dogo Janja’s version of events, insisting the teenager is not a thief and demanding justice.
Speaking to Bongo 5, Bakari’s sister emotionally stated:
“My brother is not and has never been a thief. Hata jana nilijua wameniulia. We demand justice for our brother,” she said in tears.
Following the incident, Tanzanian police issued a public statement confirming that investigations were underway to establish the truth of the matter.
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