Rigathi Gachagua, the recently impeached deputy president, once again stirred the political scene during his visit to the United States. Despite being thousands of kilometers away from Kenya, Gachagua made headlines after a light-hearted moment with Kenyan revellers at a nightclub went viral on social media.
While attending a gathering in Seattle, Washington—where he reunited with popular Mugithi singer Samidoh—Gachagua expressed appreciation for the warm reception from the Kenyan diaspora. He remarked that he wasn’t in a hurry to return home, instead choosing to spend more time engaging with Kenyans living abroad.
During a club event back in Kenya, DJ Dibul, the husband of actress Dorea Chege, called Gachagua live from the booth. He hushed the excited crowd before placing the call on speakerphone and putting the microphone close to his device. “Hi, cousins,” Gachagua greeted, sparking a loud and enthusiastic response from the partygoers.
From across the ocean, Gachagua continued: “I am in America, and over here they are saying it’s wantam. What do you guys say?” The revellers echoed “wantam” back at him in unison, chanting repeatedly at his request. The term, “wantam,” is a playful local slang derived from “one term,” suggesting that President Ruto should only serve a single term.
Gachagua then added: “I love you guys so much. I flew out looking for fellow cousins. Will you guard the country?” The crowd responded with more cheering, clearly enjoying the interaction. Gachagua thanked them for the moment, encouraging them to continue being vigilant and to take care of the nation in his absence.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, where Kenyans couldn’t help but react with amusement and surprise at Gachagua’s unexpected call. Some users joked that he was now behaving like a content creator, while others saw him as a rogue political force that was difficult to manage. Comments ranged from admiration for his boldness to disbelief at his antics.
In the same breath of social-political commentary, another moment trending online is the “Risasi Ya Mguu” dance. Inspired by a controversial directive by President Ruto regarding shoot-to-disable orders during protests, Kenyan Gen Z responded with characteristic creativity and defiance. The directive was transformed into a viral dance trend, with students from institutions like Zetech University performing a choreography that mimics a limp—satirically highlighting the possible consequence of the directive.
Clips shared online showed students moving rhythmically to a new song titled “Risasi Ya Mguu” as MCs hyped the audience. The humor and boldness displayed in the dance were praised widely, with many commending the youth for turning serious issues into expressive art.
These back-to-back moments—Gachagua’s “wantam” rallying cry and the Gen Z dance craze—illustrate how Kenyan politics continues to play out in unorthodox ways, blending satire, music, and digital platforms into the national discourse.
