Popular Kalenjin comedian Senge Helena, real name Vitalis Kiplagat, is under fire from a section of pro-government supporters after he joined Kenyans in commemorating the June 25th Memorial protests in Nairobi.
Donning a Kenyan flag bandana and an all-black outfit, Senge boldly marched in solidarity with protesters, drawing parallels between the ongoing demonstrations and Kenya’s historical Mau Mau resistance.
“Acha tuwapiganie. We are the new Mau Mau. We are here to fight for you. “WanTam,” he declared in a viral video alongside two other men, using the now-popular term “WanTam”, a Gen Z slogan pushing for President William Ruto to serve only one term.
Though the protests were largely peaceful and non-tribal, Helena’s participation sparked outrage from some supporters of the Kenya Kwanza regime, particularly from within his Kalenjin community.
Critics flooded social media with tribal undertones, accusing the comedian of turning against “his own.”
One Facebook user posted a cryptic warning, “The guy in the middle, a comedian known as ‘Senge Helena’ was busy on the streets saying ‘WanTam’ yet he has a show at Eldoret Sports Club on 2nd August. Atajua hajui…”
Another, identified as Erick Kipchirchir, lashed out, “Popular Kalenjin comedian Senge Helena in the streets of Nairobi during demos showing the sign of ‘one term’. I don’t know where these people get even the energy to join the paid goons who are profiling our community negatively.”
A Facebook page associated with the Kalenjin Music Festival went as far as urging fans to unsubscribe from all of Helena’s social media platforms.
“Unsubscribe from Senge Helena comedian in all social media platforms,” read a blunt post.
Despite the criticism, many Kenyans have rallied behind the comedian, applauding his courage and calling out the tribal attacks as backwards and unjustified.
One Facebook user fired back at the tribal profiling, “Stop profiling Senge Helena. He was right to stand by his opinion. We kuna opinion yako imepotea ama? Tribalism is slavery. Kama mbaya, mbaya. WanTam siku zote.”
Another commented, “I didn’t even know him, but I have subscribed. No to tribalism. Mtatumika hadi lini?”
Helena is expected to perform at his upcoming show, Tos Majehovah Xperience, scheduled for August 2 in Eldoret, but the controversy now clouds the event as some disgruntled fans threaten to boycott.
As the debate continues online, the incident has reignited conversation around the role of public figures in activism, the limits of free expression, and the urgent need to confront tribalism in political discourse.