A video circulating on social media has captured a group of youths from Mbeere North chanting “Wantam!” while being transported in school buses, allegedly after participating in an empowerment program associated with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
The amateur footage, shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, shows the excited youths in several buses breaking into loud chants of “Wantam!”—a phrase that has recently gained popularity as youthful slang in parts of Embu and neighboring regions.
While the exact origin of their journey could not be immediately confirmed, online users speculated that the youths had attended an empowerment initiative reportedly spearheaded by Prof. Kindiki. Such programs, often themed around education support, skills training, and economic opportunities, have been a key part of the CS’s outreach strategy in his home turf of Tharaka Nithi and neighboring Embu counties.
The video has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters praised the scene as evidence that young people are actively engaging in government-backed empowerment activities, interpreting the chants as a show of solidarity and youthful energy. Others, however, questioned whether the transportation of youths in school buses pointed to possible mobilization tactics rather than purely voluntary attendance.
Local political observers suggest that the incident could carry political undertones, especially with Mbeere North preparing for a competitive parliamentary by-election. Candidates are reportedly vying for the support of young voters, who constitute a significant portion of the electorate.
The phrase “Wantam,” loosely associated with youthful excitement and camaraderie, has increasingly been adopted in political rallies and social gatherings across Embu and Meru counties. Its appearance in the context of empowerment events linked to a senior government figure has added to speculation about the role of youth culture in shaping political narratives.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation on whether the buses had been hired for Kindiki’s program or any government-related function were unsuccessful at the time of going to press. Similarly, details on the specific nature of the empowerment initiative remain unclear.
For now, the video continues to circulate widely, with many Kenyans weighing in on its significance. To some, it represents a harmless outburst of youthful exuberance. To others, it raises questions about the intersection of state-sponsored empowerment, youth mobilization, and political influence in Mbeere North.
