Welcome to Kenya, where humour is a powerful coping mechanism, even in difficult times. Despite facing serious challenges, Kenyans use wit in the form of memes, slogans, catchy music, sarcastic tweets and clever slang to reflect on and respond to their reality.
This spirit of humour and creativity was particularly evident during the anti-Finance Bill protests in 2024. What began as online frustration, quickly escalated into peaceful street demonstrations across towns and cities. Protesters turned out in style, carrying smartphones and creative placards that blended sarcasm and sharp political critique.
The courageous Gen Zs held up placards and chanted slogans that reflected their message. Some even printed these powerful messages on T-shirts, attracting hundreds of young participants.
Signs bore statements such as ‘Mheshimiwa unafuliza na my future’, ‘Zakayo Shuka’, ‘Release Young Thug...Take Ruto instead’ and ‘Commander in thief’. Other T-shirts featured slogans like ‘Rong Rende rejects’, ‘Sponsored by Jacob Juma and enemies of thieves and killers’, and ‘The Woke Maji Maji Rebellion’.
Slang emerged as a key form of protest, capturing frustrations over the rising cost of living. Phrases like ‘Mayai ni expensive kuliko kuku’ (‘eggs are more expensive than chicken’) and ‘Maji ni expensive kuliko karai’ (‘water is more expensive than the basin’) became common. Using irony and satire, slang offered a relatable, non-confrontational
way to express anger.
A popular slogan, “People Power! If we lose our fear, they lose their power,” was chanted in every Nairobi street and on social media platforms. In a viral TikTok video, a young woman apprehended by police bravely chanted this slogan and thousands joined in, prompting the police to leave her alone. This demonstrated how even humorous slogans sent a deeply meaningful message.
Another well-known slogan was ‘Anguka Nayo’, which originated as a dance challenge. Kenyan arbantone artist Wadagliz released the song ‘Anguka Nayo’ during the anti-Finance Bill protests and it quickly went viral.
The song Anguka Nayo garnered an impressive 11 million views on YouTube in ten months. What began as a fun party song took on a deeper meaning after President William Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet (though he later reappointed some members). The song, which roughly translates to “fall down with it” in Swahili, transcended party lines and was chanted in both streets and on social media, aiming to call for the removal of corrupt leaders.
During this period, Kenyans also began referring to President William Ruto as ‘Zakayo’ - A Kiswahili name for ‘Zacchaeus’, referring to a biblical figure known for punitive tax. This nickname emerged in response to Ruto’s frequent introduction of new taxes, which many citizens considered harsh and burdensome. By Molly Chebet, The Standard
