By Anderson Ojwang
Kenya’s political scene is developing euphoria on a mantra of the terms in the office, with “Wantam and Tutam” gaining prominence in the country’s political landscape.
The Wantam proponents are targeting the presidency, governors, Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly with the rallying call that they must exit office come 2027 elections.
But the opponents currently serving their first term too have developed a mantra of ‘Tutam bila break’ in quest to be re-elected based on their service delivery and development records.
They say “kumi bila break” (Ten years non-stop) in a response to their opponents who have rolled out campaigns to woo the electorates to send them home in the 2027 general elections.
From the political podium, social media platforms to the musical world, the mantra is gaining and occupying the audience as a discussion of interest. It is shaping the country’s battle ground and could be one of the main influencers in the 2027 general elections.
Save for the few governors who are in their final terms, majority in their first term are faced with the dilemma of the Wantam mantra that is sweeping across the country.
Already, the governors have embarked on early campaigns to avoid falling victims to the mantra while their opponents have also not been left sleeping. The campaign mood has gripped the country and the euphoria is real.
Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, the key proponent of the Wantam mantra, has trained his gun on President William Ruto with a view to deny him a second and final term as the fifth President of Kenya.
“Kasongo aende ama asiende? (Should Kasongo go or not?) People of Githurai, I am from Gatundu, but I made a stopover to greet you people, even though it is raining. You are my people, we have suffered together. This person lied to us.
This person came with the Bible. I have united with other likeminded leaders—Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i. We will give you one presidential candidate.
You say he is Wantam. Say Wantam. Kasongo is Wantam. What is the ground saying? Wantam,” he said.
President Ruto, in his response, has dismissed his opponents, saying he is not worried about his popularity but is happy with his performance that will make the electorate re-elect him in the 2027 presidential election.
Ruto responded, “Kisumu wakisema Wantam mnasema nini? Kumi bila break! Eti Kisumu, what do you tell them? Tutam na Kumi bila break. Wamesikia au hawajasikia?” (People of Kisumu if they say Wantam, what do you say? Tutam and ten years nonstop. I hope they have heard).
Ruto promised his competitors a grueling battle at the 2027 contest, where he will humble them.
“Hawa watu wa makelele, wanasumbua kwa mtandao, sijui wapi, hawa watu wako na kazi ngumu sana kushindana na mimi. Si mambo yao tu ni kuchora kwa internet na kushunguka na fitina.
Hawa tutawanyorosha asubuhi na mapema.
Kuna wengine hapa wananiambia niendelee kupigiwa makofi. Mimi sitaji makofi. Sijui kama tunaelewana. Kuna kazi zingine zitafanyika bila makofi.
Nyinyi ambayo munatafuta makofi endeleeni kutafuta makofi. Wale wanatafuta umarufu, endeleeni kutafuta umarufu. Najua hawa watu wengine ni wageni, wamefika juzi kwa hii siasa. Si mimi nimekuwa around hapa.
Unajua kuna watu wa porojo mingi. Eti wanajaribu kushindana na sisi. Sasa, wewe mtu wa fitina, ukabila, shares, sijui mtego, utashindana na nani hii Kenya? Ukinipima kabisa, watu wa Kakamega, watu wa chuki, bangi, ukabila na mtego watawezana na mimi?” Ruto said.
Medic and political analyst Prof. Obondi Otieno says it is too early to make a judgment, but the political landscape is still equivocal.
“Both the antagonistic groups are sedimenting into regional or tribal cocoons. No tangible issues are being brought on the table.
The Tutam is bogged with one scandal after another while the Wantam proponents exhibit very scary ethnic rhetoric. So far there is nothing serious voters can derive to make an informed decision on who to vote for.
The gullible voters have easy rides. They base their resolve on tribal hatred and what their cultist political godfathers tell them during social gatherings.
I agree with the latter voter groups because politics doesn’t change much in their daily livelihood. But as time tickles, a lot of things change in the political ecosystem.
All said, Ruto is likely to get sympathy votes from the politically marginalized groups such as the Coast, Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley and even Ukambani, depending on the outcome of the Karua, Gachagua, Kalonzo group’s decision,” he argues.
Political commentator Patrick Ouya says Kenya is witnessing an interesting political moment where voters will elect leaders based on performance and not rhetorics.
“Whether you are in your first term or sixth term, if your performance is below average, just know you are going home. In 2027 elections, we will.”
