NAIROBI, Kenya- The spirited dance by President William Ruto to the now-iconic “Kasongo” tune during the New Year’s Eve dinner at Kisii State Lodge was a spectacle to behold.
It was not only a moment of political theater but also a bold embrace of a nickname that has been wielded as a weapon by critics.
In a stroke of audacious irony, the President seemed to reclaim “Kasongo”—a name born of youthful discontent and distrust.
But as the President’s allies gleefully shared the video, one cannot help but ask: does this moment signify a true new beginning or is it merely a performance to distract from the deeper grievances that birthed the name?
“Kasongo” is not just a nickname; it’s a battle cry.
The youth, increasingly frustrated by unfulfilled promises, have co-opted the term as shorthand for what they see as betrayal—a leader who dances to the tune of populism but whose steps falter when it comes to delivering results.
For some, it’s a harmless jest. For others, it’s a searing indictment of the administration’s failure to address pressing issues like unemployment, corruption, and rising inequality.
The use of this name has drawn the ire of the state, with reports of abductions of those who dare to wield it too boldly.
If “Kasongo” is the chant of the disillusioned, then silencing it is an affront to the very constitution that guarantees freedom of expression.
President Ruto’s jovial sway to the song was undoubtedly a headline-grabber. But was it a genuine olive branch to critics or a calculated PR move?
If it’s the former, it must be followed by concrete actions.
Dancing to the tune of “Kasongo” cannot erase the allegations of abductions, the cries of jobless graduates, or the frustrations of families crushed under the weight of economic strain.
To truly turn the “Kasongo” moment into a new beginning, the government must release all abducted youth and provide assurances that dissent will not be met with repression.
If those who choreographed this moment intended to make lemonade out of lemons, then let’s see this same spirit extended to the critics.
Let the government engage with the substance of their grievances rather than dismissing them as noise.
If the critics are indeed throwing lemons, it is often because they see no other way to be heard.
Offer solutions, listen earnestly, and let governance issues—like corruption, impunity, and economic stagnation—be addressed head-on.
Let’s imagine for a moment that the “Kasongo” dance was more than a performance—that it was a symbolic acknowledgment of the need for change.
The first step on this road to redemption must be the immediate release of the abducted youth.
No government can claim to dance to the tune of the people while suppressing their voices.
Next, let’s see tangible action against corruption.
