Rapper Toxic Lyrikali Breaks Silence After Viral ‘Tutam’ Chant At State House
Toxic Lyrikali, a Kenyan rapper, has responded to mounting fan outrage after a video surfaced showing him chanting “Tutam” during a Nairobi empowerment session at State House on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
This phrase is currently being taken as support for President William Ruto’s second term.
The clip, which was immediately shared on social media, elicited strong reactions from some of his fans, with some threatening to cancel him for what they considered a political affiliation.
“Tutam” is shorthand for “two terms” in Kenyan political slang, and it is frequently used by Ruto supporters to indicate their support for his re-election in 2027.
Toxic Lyrikali alikuwa statehouse pic.twitter.com/8ulCtTzhnj
— Bill β’ (@PJ36_) August 9, 2025
It was coined to fight former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s “Wantam” campaign, which sought to limit the head of state’s term to one.
Responding to the uproar, the Backbencher hitmaker sent a cryptic comment on his official Instagram account, stating that he couldn’t have uttered “Wantam” in front of the head of state.
βGround ni ile ile. Niseme one tam akiwa apo nipotezwe,β the rapper stated.
Toxic Lyrikali after Kurudi kwa sclass yake ameaddress the #WanTam #FagiaWote Nations pic.twitter.com/JVBnqn4evE
— ππππ ππππ’πππ (@WuodRinyaga) August 9, 2025
On Saturday, August 9, President William Ruto organized an empowerment programme in which he distributed motorcycles, car wash equipment, and public address systems to young people.
Toxic Lyrikali and Bahati were among the performers who performed at the occasion.
Toxic grabbed the stage to amuse the crowd with his Backbencher song. Soon after his performance, his video appeared on social media, eliciting conflicting comments.
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In the footage, Dagoretti South Member of Parliament (MP) John Kiarie is seen dragging Toxic onto the stage and positioning him strategically in front of Ruto.
Rapper Toxic Lyrikali was at State House today.
— Ghetto Radio (@GhettoRadio895) August 9, 2025
Video shows him hyping up the crowd with the catchphrase, "Tutam," during the event.
π₯Video courtesy pic.twitter.com/cpnXztFgoW
Kiarie then told Toxic to state that Ruto will serve two terms.
Toxic, on the other hand, completed his performance and exited the stage. Kiarie called him back and instructed him to repeat “Tutam”.
Toxic was spotted following instructions before greeting the president and posing for a photo together.
Rapper Toxic Lyrikali Breaks Silence After Viral ‘Tutam’ Chant At State House
