What was meant to be a night of music, culture and celebration turned into an unexpected political moment after singer and former Starehe MP Jaguar found himself at the centre of loud “Wantam” chants during his performance at the popular Mataha Festival in Thika.
Videos that have since gone viral on social media captured the dramatic moment when sections of revellers interrupted Jaguar’s set with chants of “Wantam” and “Ruto Must Go,” forcing the artiste to navigate a tense atmosphere while on stage.
Despite the charged environment, Jaguar remained composed.
Rather than engage the crowd, the musician pressed on with his performance, even breaking into one of his most recognisable songs, Matapeli, a track that criticises dishonest leadership, corruption and the struggles of ordinary Kenyans.
The irony of the moment was not lost on many Kenyans online.
Social media users pointed out that the song’s message appeared to mirror the frustrations being expressed by the crowd.
The incident occurred during the Mataha Festival, one of the biggest cultural events in the Mt Kenya region, attracting thousands of revellers and top performers.
However, Jaguar’s appearance quickly shifted from entertainment to a reflection of the country’s increasingly polarised political climate.
Jaguar, born Charles Njagua Kanyi, successfully transitioned from music to politics in 2017 when he won the Starehe parliamentary seat.
Over the years, he has remained associated with the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto, a factor many observers believe influenced the reception he received at the festival.
The slogan “Wantam”, derived from the phrase “one term” has in recent months become a rallying cry among critics of the current administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While the chant initially gained traction within opposition circles, it has increasingly found its way into public gatherings, sporting events and entertainment spaces.
Jaguar is not the first entertainer to encounter the phenomenon.
Just days before the Mataha Festival incident, singer Mutoriah reportedly had his performance at Blankets and Wine interrupted by similar chants from sections of the audience.
The trend has sparked conversations about whether Kenyan entertainers are becoming unintended participants in the country’s political discourse.
For some Kenyans, the chants directed at Jaguar represented a legitimate expression of public frustration over the high cost of living and governance concerns.
Others argued that musicians should be allowed to perform without being drawn into political battles.
Online reactions to the video were equally divided.
While some users sympathised with Jaguar for maintaining professionalism under pressure, others insisted that public figures linked to political establishments should expect heightened scrutiny from citizens eager to voice their opinions.
Regardless of where one stands politically, the Mataha Festival incident underscored a growing reality in Kenya: entertainment stages are no longer insulated from the country’s political temperatures.
As the countdown to the 2027 elections slowly gathers momentum, moments like these suggest that the lines separating music, celebrity and politics may continue to blur.
For Jaguar, a performer who has successfully worn both the artist’s hat and the politician’s cap, the night in Thika served as a reminder that in today’s Kenya, audiences are not just listening to the music, they are also sending a message.
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