President William Ruto’s Senior Economic Adviser, Moses Kuria, has dismissed the growing calls suggesting that Ruto will only serve one term, saying those behind the wantam narrative are mostly unemployed.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Kuria hit out at critics who have been popularising the phrase. He argued that there is nothing wrong with a president serving one term, as long as they use that time to deliver for the people.

According to Kuria, the main difference between the people pushing for “one term” and those championing “kumi bila break” (ten years without interruption) is employment status; one group is jobless, the other is not.

He described the one-term slogan as a lunatic expression, and emphasised that power belongs to the people, not the president.

“The difference between one-term and kumi bila break is that one-term are jobless, and the other is employed, can you imagine. It is a lunatic expression. If it is one term, it’s okay, there is no problem, kwani why did we put in the constitution that there is an election every five years,” he said.

Kuria made it clear that regardless of the term length, the focus should be on results. He said he plans to fully utilise the current term to work for Kenyans, stating that the government is not for William Ruto alone.

“What is the most dreadful thing about one term? The question is, what did we do with that one term? Ultimately, the question will be, what has the government done for Kenyans? I will milk the one term for the people of Kenya until that one term is over, because the government is not for William Ruto,” the president’s adviser added.

Wantam

The slang word wantam, a casual twist on one term, was first heard when former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua mentioned it during a public speech.

In his distinct accent, one term came out sounding like wan tam. The slip caught attention, sparked laughter, and quickly transformed into a viral buzzword.

Since then, wantam has taken on a life of its own. Social media platforms like TikTok, X are flooded with content using the term in memes, skits, political commentary, and protest messages.

Content creators and opposition voices have especially embraced it as a catchy way to criticise the current administration.

To many Kenyans, especially youth and critics of the government, wantam is more than a joke. It reflects real frustrations about the high cost of living, unemployment, broken promises, and alleged abuses of power. It is a verdict of dissatisfaction, wrapped in humour but loaded with meaning.

In response, President Ruto’s supporters have launched their counter-message: kumi bila break, insisting that the president is on track to win a second term in 2027. They argue that the government is still delivering and deserves time.