'Mambo Ni Matatu' Remarks Turn Ruto Into Internet Sensation

By the time this article went to publication, the hashtag #MamboNiMatatu was one of the top trends on X (formerly Twitter)

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Aug 31, 2023 - 14:04 Updated: Aug 31, 2023 - 14:05
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'Mambo Ni Matatu' Remarks Turn Ruto Into Internet Sensation
President William Ruto in attendance at a consultative meeting with Western Kenya leaders. /PCS

A day after President William Ruto reiterated his chilling three-step prescription on his push to chase away select tycoons he accused of manipulating the sugar sector, the Head of State is on his way to becoming one of the most popular internet celebrities in the country.

By the time this article went to publication, the hashtag #MamboNiMatatu was one of the top trends on X (formerly Twitter), a sign of Kenyans exercising their habit of turning statements of whatever nature into hilarious memes in keeping up their relentless pursuit of happiness.

Despite the backlash the President faced from the opposition and bodies such as the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) over the chilling three-stage statements; to either flee the country, risk jail terms or 'go to heaven', some Kenyans took advantage of the remarks to create funny bits and pieces of their own.

For instance, a photo of a customised t-shirt shared by Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi depicting Ruto's now-famous 'Mambo ni matatu' statement set the tone for the slew of memes and funny posts that would follow.

A customised t-shirt with President Ruto's three famous words: 'hama', 'jela' and 'safiri'. /TWITTER.AHMEDNASIR ABDULLAHI

The print details captured a caricature of President Ruto wearing a turban and the three viral words dominating the shirt's background, alongside the following three-step prescription: hama, jela, safiri.

They were derived from Ruto's remarks as follows: "...wahame Kenya, kama sivyo tutawapeleka jela ama kama wako na option ya tatu waende mbinguni", loosely translated to "they should leave Kenya, if not we will take them to jail, or if they have a third option, they should go to 'heaven'".

Following this, Kenyans got creative, not even referring to Ruto's three-pronged statement, and came up with hilarious ones of their own.

"Mambo ni mangapi? Mambo ni matatu: Find a girl that's really into you. Waste her time. Break her heart. Repeat," Joseh wrote on Twitter.

"Mambo ni Matatu; Heshimu First Lady. Don't call at night. Always remain UNKNOWN," Propesa weighed in.

"Kiambu MCAs have addressed the media and told Governor Kimani Wamatangi that Mambo ni Matatu - uhame ofisi, uende jela ama uende mbinguni. We will be there no matter what," Gabriel Oguda quipped.

Ruto Stands By Three-Stage Remarks

Speaking at the Kenya Medical Training College in Navakholo, Kakamega County on Thursday, August 30, a defiant Ruto reiterated that he would not allow the individuals to bring down the sugar industry when he was making inroads to revive it and regulate it in the process.

"Some people are trying to bring me problems, that I've said I've disrupted...I have said and let me repeat so that they listen well.

"Azimio people went and issued a statement defending thieves, corrupt individuals and cartel people so that they keep eating Mumias money? That cannot happen," he sternly defended.

Ignoring the backlash he faced over his 'waende mbinguni' remarks, Ruto repeated the three options he earlier this week laid on the table to the cartels; to either flee the country, risk jail terms or 'go to heaven'.

"They have filled in so many words in the newspapers I don't know LSK have said this, Azimio people have said that, let me repeat so that they listen properly.

"Corrupt officials, cartels and thieves, those misusing public coffers have destroyed Mumias and Nzoia companies because everything has become a mess and then they are coming here and pretending. They should leave Kenya, and if they don't leave, we will jail them, and if they continue, they should make plans to go to heaven," he added, much to the cheers of the crowd.

Sample some of the 'mambo ni matatu' picks below:

The statement also roped in Former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peter Munya who made headlines on Thursday, August 31 after he was given an ultimatum of one hour to appear at the Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court to testify in the Ksh63 billion Arror and Kimwarer corruption scandal.

Wait, you thought we'd forget? As one of the leaders in the digital media space in the 2020s, Viral Tea created graphics featuring Ruto's three statements and as a way of saying thank you for our support, we made these graphics for you to use as your phone and laptop wallpaper. 

Check them out below and feel free to download them:

A graphic showing President Ruto's three famous 'Mambo ni Matatu' remarks. /VIRALTEAKE

A graphic showing President Ruto's three famous 'Mambo ni Matatu' remarks. /VIRALTEAKE

A graphic showing President Ruto's three famous 'Mambo ni Matatu' remarks. /VIRALTEAKE

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