The Blankets and Wine Festival, a very popular music event in Kenya, took an unexpected political turn during a performance by singer Mutoriah at the Kasarani Indoor Sports Arena.
Thousands of people gathered for the festival’s latest edition. The event, celebrating 17 years of bringing together music fans from all over the country, featured performances from some of Kenya’s top artists and DJs, making for a lively atmosphere all day.
However, during Mutoriah’s performance, some in the crowd started chanting “Wantam.” This slogan has become increasingly linked to opposition groups who are critical of President William Ruto’s government.
The chanting began when the artist briefly paused to switch from his keyboard to a guitar. Videos online show the crowd chanting loudly as Mutoriah watched from the stage. He didn’t join in, but he seemed to acknowledge what was happening.
This incident quickly sparked discussions on social media, with many Kenyans reacting in different ways. Some saw the chants as a sign that young people are becoming more politically aware, while others felt that entertainment events should stay out of politics.
One person who attended the festival mentioned that this moment showed how political talk still affects public places, even at social gatherings.
These chants have become more common at public events and are often connected to calls for political change before the 2027 General Election. Seeing them at a big entertainment festival shows how political feelings are showing up in all sorts of everyday situations.
The viral videos have since led to new debates online. Supporters and critics have different ideas about what these chants mean for the country’s political future.
This all happens while President Ruto continues to say the slogan is just normal democratic expression. He believes political rivals should focus on giving voters alternative ideas and policies instead.