KISUMU, Kenya — President William Ruto sparked cheers and laughter in Kisumu on Monday after briefly joining the dance floor during the launch of the Nyota youth empowerment programme, moving to the viral Donjo Maber tune that has dominated Kenya’s social media space in recent weeks.
The light-hearted moment unfolded as the President stepped toward the stage, vibing to the music before singer Iyanii joined him and demonstrated a few dance moves, which Mr Ruto followed enthusiastically. The crowd responded with applause and laughter, adding colour to an otherwise policy-focused event.
The song Donjo Maber, whose Dholuo phrase loosely translates to “enter well” or “come in properly”, has become a playful expression of confidence and good vibes.
Its infectious rhythm and choreography have fuelled a nationwide TikTok dance craze, with users sharing short, high-energy routines under hashtags such as #DonjoMaberChallenge and #DonjoMaberDance.
Iyanii, born Ian Oure, is no stranger to viral success. Raised in Nairobi’s Mathare informal settlement, he has often spoken about overcoming economic hardship, including dropping out of university due to lack of fees, before turning to music full-time. His breakout hit Pombe cemented his status as a go-to artist for party anthems and dancefloor favourites.
Beyond the entertainment, President Ruto used the occasion to deliver a pointed message about youth, politics and economic opportunity.
During the launch, he said Kenya’s young people had rejected tribal politics and outdated leadership models, describing them as a generation focused on opportunity, responsibility and nation-building.
“Kenya’s young people have outgrown the tired mathematics of tribe and the small thinking of yesterday’s politics. They refuse to be reduced to numbers on a ballot sheet, activated during campaigns and abandoned thereafter,” Ruto said.
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He described the youth as “a generation in motion”, impatient for opportunity, ready for responsibility and determined to build, a reality he said had informed the government’s decision to roll out structured, nationwide economic programmes targeting young people.
The President was speaking while presiding over the disbursement of KSh220 million in Nyota business start-up capital to 8,820 beneficiaries drawn from Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.
The funds were issued at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu under the Nyota project, which combines financing with skills development and enterprise support for young entrepreneurs.
Mr Ruto said the initiative aims to promote youth-led businesses, strengthen self-reliance and accelerate economic inclusion, particularly in regions grappling with high youth unemployment, even as moments like the Donjo Maber dance underscored the growing intersection between politics, pop culture and Kenya’s digital generation.
