How a party song became the rhythm of Kenyan online activism

Originally it was just another Arbantone song released by rap duo Wadagliz; basically a simple party track that was about partying, having fun, enjoying and living a free life.

The beat, sampled from DJ Creme de la Creme’s old hit “Kufa Juu,” is a bouncy, sparkling delivery that instantly captivates the listener and lures them to the dance floor.

Rap duo Wadagliz, consisting of Kantel Mdagliz and MannaZ, probably didn’t anticipate the wild reaction to the song – and probably didn’t even plan to release it at the right time.

For example, if “Anguka Nayo” had been released in January, it would probably have been just another Arbantone hit that would have soon been forgotten after more intense Tiktok dancing and repetitions in clubs.

Meanwhile, “Anguka Nayo,” whose audio was released about a week or two ago, has become the soul of Kenyan online activism and has quickly captured the zeitgeist of the Generation Z anti-government movement.

The song’s title – and its caption – have become the perfect lyrical euphemism for what Kenyans have been protesting for for the past month: the final collapse of brutal civil servants and their corrupt tendencies.

As the protests moved into their second and then third weeks, “Anguka Nayo” took on new life and meaning. It was no longer just another song about pretty girls and wild house parties – it was something of a revolutionary anthem, played in the same spirit as classics like Eric Wainaina’s “Daima.”

While President Ruto continued to make concessions and drop policies that Kenyans had fiercely opposed, “Anguka Nayo” continued to galvanize the masses. Kenyans used the campaign to praise the President and his policies, all of which they wanted to abolish or essentially drop.

“Anguka Nayo” also proved useful when further changes in government occurred – rejection of the Finance Bill, austerity measures for civil servants, closure of non-essential offices, plans to abolish the offices of the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), etc. etc.

As the whole thing unfolded in real time, Kenyans gathered online to sing the chorus “Anguka Nayo.”

The song’s unassailable dominance continued in the weeks to come, as the pressure continued to mount and more and more political victims left their high seats and golden offices.

To keep the pace going, TikTok dance challenges were held in which Kenyans tried to outdo each other in performing the dance, which involves a comical contortion of the body with the hands outstretched while rhythmically lowering oneself downward.

The dance challenge went so viral that even politicians soon jumped on the trend in the hope of reconnecting with the public and appearing approachable. Former sports minister Ababu Namwamba also tried the challenge at the height of the debacle surrounding the Olympic trip to Paris – but with an ice-cold reaction.

Wadagliz clearly had the mood in the room in mind and quickly shot a music video to keep the temperatures high. Despite being a low-budget video that sees the rappers gathered around their friends in a run-down neighborhood park, the reception was overwhelming.

The sounds have also been used hundreds of thousands of times on TikTok – in almost all cases they seem to relate to the current political situation, as President Ruto and his men are prominently featured in the videos.

After the President had recalled all his Cabinet secretaries, the opportunity to sing “Anguka Nayo” loudly across the country again arose.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has resigned? No, no! Is Musalia Mudadavi still holding an illegal office? No, no! Medical interns camping outside Afya House? No, no!

In fact, the song has now become a slogan for upcoming protests. Several posters announcing the July 16 protests are circulating online, with the title “Anguka Nayo. TUESDAY, July 16, Nationwide Protests.”

In an earlier interview, the hit’s creators explained that the song was inspired by their love of good vibes, dancing and just having fun.

“We just wanted to create something that people could dance to and feel good about,” said Kantel Mdagliz.

Now Wadagliz might be shocked at the monster they inadvertently created – and how it found its way not only into the hearts of Kenyans but also into the mind of the president.