Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has dismissed the popular opposition slogan “Wantam”, arguing that it has ended up benefiting President William Ruto’s administration rather than unsettling it.

Speaking during a radio interview on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Kioni explained that the united opposition had coined the phrase as a rallying cry for Kenyans dissatisfied with the Kenya Kwanza government. However, he claimed the slogan was poorly thought out and has instead given Ruto’s government a sense of comfort.

According to Kioni, the Constitution already limits an elected leader to a five-year term, making “Wantam” redundant as a political weapon.

“If you tell me that at the end of my contract I must go, I will ask you, ‘What am I supposed to do since it’s obvious?’” Kioni posed.

The Jubilee Secretary General, who openly aligned himself with the united opposition, said the slogan has ironically made the government more arrogant. He argued that Ruto’s regime has grown more relaxed and emboldened, pointing to the recent trend of welcoming delegations to State House.

“So what happened with Wantam? The Ruto regime became comfortable. They are now more arrogant. They are doing things that, back before, they were not doing. You now see them welcoming delegations to State House,” Kioni remarked.

He claimed that the State House gates, once shielded from Gen Z protest threats, were now wide open because the government views the Wantam slogan as toothless.

“Before then, they were not welcoming delegations to the House because the desire was to occupy the House. But immediately we said ‘Wantam’, all gates were opened, so they are now more comfortable,” he added.

Kioni contrasted the united opposition’s approach with the Gen Z protests earlier in the year, which he said struck the government without leaving room for a comeback. He argued that unlike the youth-led resistance, the opposition’s slogans are weak and easily countered.

“You see, the Gen Zs had a way of hitting, and there were no comebacks for Ruto. But this Wantam – the comeback is Tutam,” he noted, referring to the government’s response slogan.