THIKA, Kenya- Musician and former Starehe MP Charles Njagua found himself at the centre of a politically charged moment on Sunday after sections of the crowd at the Mataha Festival in Thika broke into anti-government chants during his performance.
Videos circulating online showed revellers chanting “Wantam” and “Ruto Must Go” shortly after Jaguar stepped onto the stage at the event held at the MKU Pavilion grounds.
The chants briefly overshadowed the start of his performance and turned the entertainment event into a political talking point.
The festival, which celebrates Kikuyu culture through music and entertainment, attracted thousands of attendees and featured performances from several popular artists.
Despite the chants, Jaguar remained on stage and proceeded with his set.
He responded by performing his song Matapeli, a track that addresses political deception, corruption and social challenges.
Footage from the event showed the singer pausing briefly as the chants continued before carrying on with the performance. Social media users widely shared the clips, with many commenting on the unusual intersection of entertainment and politics.
The slogan “Wantam,” derived from the phrase “one term,” has gained traction among critics of President William Ruto and supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Jaguar, who served as Starehe MP between 2017 and 2022, has in recent years aligned himself with President Ruto’s administration and was appointed a commissioner at the Commission on Administrative Justice in 2024.
The Thika incident is the latest in a series of public events where political chants have emerged during non-political gatherings.
Earlier this month, sections of the crowd at the Blankets and Wine festival in Nairobi interrupted musician Mutoriah’s performance with similar “Wantam” chants.
There was no indication of violence or disruption beyond the chanting, and Jaguar completed his performance.
