“Wantam, Wantam” Masai Morans Chant in Front of Ruto as Tension Flares at Narok Maa Event

Young Maasai men, popularly known as morans, have reportedly broken into chants of “Wantam” in front of President William Ruto at the Maa Cultural and Tourism Festival in Narok, as tension flared again at Sekenani Gate.

The scene was captured in a video shared on Facebook by Polycarp Hinga, whose verified account posted it about three hours before this report.

His Kiswahili caption offered a wry remark about what tends to happen whenever more than ten Kenyans gather.

“Wantam” has become a loaded word in Kenyan politics, widely used by critics of the President’s camp, so hearing it chanted in his presence has drawn attention.

Earlier, A.M Media reported that some people sang Wantam songs as stones and chairs were thrown at the strat of the event.

The chanting came after a rough day. Citizen TV Kenya reported a fierce clash between rival groups, as stones and rungus flew about 500 metres from the venue, leaving more than ten people injured and delaying the President’s entry.

Other sources, claimed that leaders allied to him were heckled, and another post said a large crowd walked out as he began speaking.

President Ruto later addressed the gathering. Citizen TV Kenya reported that he told the Maa community not to be led by people with hidden agendas, while KTN News Kenya said he spoke about the Kilgoris airport, Magadi land and the opposition. He did not directly address the unrest.

Many Kenyans online have read the chanting as a message to the President about local grievances, while others say it shows how easily a cultural celebration can be hijacked by politics.

Some have praised the morans for speaking their minds, and others have urged calm and respect for the occasion. None of these views has been confirmed by the people in the video.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FBQCNZniE/

Instant@New feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com