All the answers above are correct but I just think its better to override the default styles and only change the specific element you want to change.
Example below will make the text bold:
(tab_layout as TabLayout).setBackgroundColor(ContextCompat.getColor(mContext, R.color.colorPrimary))
(tab_layout as TabLayout).setSelectedTabIndicatorColor(ContextCompat.getColor(mContext, R.color.white))
(tab_layout as TabLayout).setTabTextColors(ContextCompat.getColor(mContext, R.color.white),
ContextCompat.getColor(mContext, R.color.white))