Kioni dismisses ‘Wantam’ slogan as not well thought out
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 17, 2025Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has termed the “Wantam” slogan used by the united opposition as poorly thought out.
While appearing on a local radio station on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Kioni said the slogan initiated by the united opposition as a rallying call for those discontented with the current regime has not served its intended purpose.
Instead, he argued, it seems to have given the government of the day more comfort, contrary to what was initially expected.
According to Kioni, the Constitution provides that an elected leader can only serve for one term of five years at a time.
Watch: Kioni dismisses ‘Wantam’ slogan as not well thought out
Therefore, telling an officeholder that at the end of his term he must go or using the Wantam slogan amounts to nothing since it is obvious to everyone that one must vacate office at the end of the term.
For this reason, Kioni believes the slogan, though celebrated by Kenyans, holds no real weight.
“If you tell me that at the end of my contract I must go, I will ask you, ‘What am I supposed to do since it’s obvious?’” Kioni stated.
Kioni, who has now confirmed that he is deeply aligned with the united opposition, further stated that the slogan, as popularised by the opposition and Kenyans, has only made the government more comfortable and arrogant.
He cited the recent move by the government to welcome delegations to State House, something he noted was not previously done.
Implications of Wantam
He added that the government has now opened the gates of State House to everyone, as evidenced in recent weeks.
This, he claimed, was initially avoided because Gen Z protesters had threatened to occupy the house on the hill.
However, with the inception of Wantam, which the regime perceives as toothless, the government has instead chosen to embrace openness.
“So what happened with Wantam? The Ruto regime became comfortable. They are now more arrogant. They are doing things that, back before, they were not doing. You now see them welcoming delegations to State House,”
“Before then, they were not welcoming delegations to the House because the desire was to occupy the House, but immediately we said, “Wantam”, and all gates were opened, so they are now more comfortable.”
Comparing with Gen Zs
Unlike the Gen Z movement, whose hits against the government had no comeback, Kioni argued that the united opposition’s slogans, such as Wantam, have been easily countered.
He pointed out that Wantam has already been swallowed by the government’s own response slogan, “Tutam”.
“You see, the Gen Zs had a way of hitting, and there were no comebacks for Ruto, but this Wantam, the comeback, is Tutam,” he added.
The Wantam slogan has been a rallying call within the opposition. The former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, during his recent visit to the USA, even penned the Wantam writing at Meta headquarters during his visit to Silicon Valley.