Toxic Lyrikali, a well-known Kenyan rapper, has found himself at the center of an online storm after a video of him chanting “Tutam” during an empowerment event at State House Nairobi on Saturday, August 9, 2025, went viral.
The phrase, which stands for “two terms” in Kenyan political slang, is widely associated with support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
It was created as a counter to the “Wantam” slogan championed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which pushed for Ruto to serve only one term.
The clip quickly made rounds on social media, sparking heated debate among fans and critics alike.
Many interpreted the chant as a political endorsement, with some accusing the rapper of taking sides in Kenya’s tense political atmosphere.
Others expressed disappointment, claiming they expected him to remain politically neutral.
A section of his fans even went as far as threatening to stop supporting his music, saying they would “cancel” him for what they saw as aligning himself with the president.In response to the backlash, the Backbencher hitmaker addressed the matter in a cryptic post on his official Instagram page.
He appeared to suggest that it would have been risky to say “Wantam” in front of the president, noting that the political ground had not changed. “Ground ni ile ile. Niseme one tam akiwa apo nipotezwe,” he wrote, implying that openly opposing the president in such a setting could have had consequences for him.
The incident unfolded during a youth empowerment programme organized by President Ruto, where motorcycles, car wash machines, and public address systems were distributed to young people.
The event was attended by several entertainers, including Bahati, who also performed for the crowd. Toxic Lyrikali took to the stage to perform his song Backbencher, energizing the audience before the controversy began.
According to the video, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie is seen pulling the rapper towards the front of the stage, positioning him directly before President Ruto. Kiarie can then be heard telling him to declare that Ruto would serve two terms.
While Toxic initially appeared to continue with his performance, Kiarie called him back and explicitly instructed him to repeat “Tutam.” Toxic complied, repeating the phrase before shaking hands with the president and posing for a photo together.
The moment has since become a flashpoint in discussions about the intersection of music, politics, and public perception.
For some, it highlighted how artists can be caught in political games during public events, while for others, it was a sign of outright political endorsement.
Regardless, the video has left Toxic Lyrikali facing a growing divide among his fans, many of whom are now questioning his political stance and his role as an entertainer in politically charged spaces.
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