Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was on Thursday forced to prematurely end his two-day tour of Tharaka Nithi County after rowdy youths disrupted his rally with chants of “Tutam,” a slogan used by pro-government supporters to affirm that President William Ruto will serve two terms.
Kalonzo began his tour by officially opening a Wiper Liberation Front office in Tharaka Nithi before heading to Kibong’a for a rally. However, as he attempted to address residents, youths repeatedly shouted “Tutam,” drowning out his speech and forcing him to cut short his visit.
Visibly frustrated by the heckling, Kalonzo accused a senior government official of orchestrating the disruption, describing it as a deliberate act of intimidation and intolerance.
“He should set the example by allowing people to come to his place freely. But if he’s going to allow this to continue, how will he be received elsewhere?” Kalonzo posed, criticizing the growing trend of using youths to disrupt opposition functions.
The “Tutam” slogan has gained traction in recent weeks among President Ruto’s allies, and is widely seen as a direct counter to the “one term” narrative popularized by former Deputy President and Democratic Change Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua. Gachagua has repeatedly used the phrase “one term” in public forums, signaling his opposition to Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
Political analysts say the emergence of these competing slogans reflects the intensifying succession politics within the Kenya Kwanza administration and the broader political landscape.
Condemning the incident, Kalonzo warned that political intolerance was becoming a hallmark of the Kenya Kwanza government. He urged leaders to uphold democratic principles by allowing space for alternative voices.
“Paying youths to heckle opponents only undermines our democracy. We must encourage tolerance and allow freedom of expression, even when we disagree,” he said.
The disruption adds to growing concerns over the shrinking democratic space in Kenya, with the opposition accusing the government of using intimidation tactics to silence dissent. Kalonzo maintained that despite the hostility, Wiper will continue expanding its presence across the country in preparation for the 2027 elections.
