Nairobi Pubs Turn Ruto, Gachagua & Matiang’i Spat into Dancefloor Hits

Some of the ‘expletives’ that were recently traded between President William Ruto, Jubilee presidential candidate Dr. Fred Matiang'i and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, have now become part of DJ mixes in bars, clubs and some weddings.

Although some of the words have been deemed politically and socially intolerable, they are already receiving good reception inside entertainment joints; bars and clubs.

Patrons across the country are being treated to a cocktail of everything – including some of those unsavory phrases that would on a normal day leave the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) scratching its bald head.

It is interesting that some of these ‘infamous words’ have become part of DJ mixes and occasional mentions, and is becoming a trend.

Although the good church and some politicians are still foaming at the mouth at what they consider unpresidential use of words – tulevi and other fun lovers across the country don’t seem to mind.

These ‘unheavenly words’ have now become part of the ‘order and service’ – often sneaked into ears of half-conscious patrons through good music, and seemingly harmless DJ banter.

According to John Otieno, a DJ in one of the famous entertainment joints in Nairobi’s Eastlands area, Patrons don’t seem to mind, in fact, they seem to smile whenever DJs make such harmless references.

“Our work is to entertain our customers. I always see smiles in their faces whenever I drop a phrase like ‘Sikuli kwa bibi yako’ a Kiswahili translation for the infamous ‘We don’t eat at your place’ used a lot this past week,” says Otieno.

Other common words that are becoming part of the bar lexicon include: ‘Tunataka power’, ‘There is nothing wrong with eating bananas,’ ‘Wacheni kula chakula mingi’, ‘Mimi sikuli kwa bibi yako’, ‘Wengine waende gym’ and many others.

Otieno maintains that DJs and MCs are actively playing their critical role of carefully mocking the leadership and the society through measured use of satire, shining the torch on the current leadership.

“Sometimes by repeating these words, we are able to remind our customers about the political happenings, what was said, and by whom, then they can judge,” says Otieno.

Satire largely functions as a subversion of official narratives, putting into focus the absurdity of political fights, or rigid ideologies.

However -- it can also deepen polarization levels in a country, spread misinformation, and trivialize important policy debates.

President Ruto has defended his recent ‘epic fire’ aimed at the Opposition.

"If you want us to go down that road, I'm ready for you. 1% of my time, I'll deal with you... 99% of my time, I will serve the people of Kenya," Ruto had vowed – in response to the Opposition.

Many Kenyans have termed the recent exchange ‘aggressive humor’ – allowing both parties to make hostile remarks under the pretense of it being "just a joke".