![[VIDEO] Kenyans Chant 'Wantam' During The Nairobi City Marathon](https://africasnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Kenya-2025-07-06T153213.732.jpg)
[VIDEO] Kenyans Chant ‘Wantam’ During The Nairobi City Marathon
What started as a typical marathon through Nairobi’s streets took an unexpected turn when a group of participants began chanting against President William Ruto.
The marathon aims to highlight the city’s beauty, promote fitness, and provide competitors a chance to win prizes.
Instead of solely focusing on the race, the runners started chanting “Wantam” and other anti-Ruto slogans.
The spontaneous protest occurred as hundreds gathered for what was supposed to be a peaceful, apolitical event.
Some racers raised their hands in the air while chanting in videos posted online, temporarily altering the marathon’s tone from athletic joy to political statement.
Participants of Sunday's Nairobi City Marathon broke into chants of “Wantam” and other anti-government slogans in a spontaneous display of public dissent just a day ahead of planned #SabaSaba2025 #77NiNumbers protests. pic.twitter.com/89XW1kTaQh
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 6, 2025
The revelations come only a day before the planned Saba Saba protests on Monday, which have already prompted concerns about the country’s political situation.
The chanting appeared to reflect growing popular anger and foreshadowed the tensions predicted on Monday.
The participants, dressed in pink jerseys, yelled ‘wantam’ slogans as police officers looked on in amazement in the city’s frigid temperatures.
Kenyans on social media rapidly reshared the now-viral footage, with more users urging the government to prepare for a showdown on Monday.
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Meanwhile, Benson Murkomen Tunyo and Emily Chepkemoi swept to victory in the fourth edition of the Nairobi City Marathon.
Murkomen ran 2:08:37, missing the race record by 59 seconds, while Chekemoi ran an outstanding 2:25:52 to win Ksh3.5 million in Africa’s most prestigious marathon.
It was Murkomen’s second try after finishing seventh in the 2023 edition.
Justus Limo finished second in 2:08:47, with Kangogo Albert rounding out the podium in third place in 2:09:06.
[VIDEO] Kenyans Chant ‘Wantam’ During The Nairobi City Marathon
