Welcome to Kenya where humour is a coping mechanism in any challenging situation.
After the recent fatal Saba Saba protests on July 7, President William Ruto issued an order that police should shoot the individuals caught vandalising property in the legs, rather than killing them.
Shortly after this speech, Kenyans turned the contentious order into hilarious videos, jokes, and memes.
“We want peace in Kenya, we want people to do business. A person who goes to burn businesses and other people’s property, such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to hospital, then taken to court. Don’t kill them, but shoot them so their legs are broken,” Ruto said in his speech.
Creative social media users began creating videos with casts and bandages on their legs to reference President Ruto’s order.
They used his voice while giving the speech as voice-overs.
Others created AI-generated videos and images of protesters protesting in wheelchairs and with crutches. In one viral video on Instagram, several people could be seen jumping outside a building that resembles the Statehouse despite having bandages and wheelchairs.
One lege ????????? pic.twitter.com/UuWOBHJ2qN
— Bee okuku (@okuku48) July 10, 2025
The video appeared AI-generated but garnered a flurry of reactions from Kenyans.
They dubbed the funny skits and content as the ‘one lege challenge’ and also used Nigerian artiste Jay Hover’s hit song, One leg. Even those who were one-legged joined the challenge, leaving netizens entertained.
An X user wrote: “Chapati hajamalizana nazo saa hii ako one legge. He has to rethink whoever he is leading because WANTAM is REAL.” Another stated, “I love my country people, creativity at its peak.”
An Instagram user shared: “Now’s the time to grab crutches and wheelchairs! He played with the wrong crowd. This is how people will be heading to vote in 2027! One leg it is.”
Creatives even took it up a notch and posted voters lining up at the voting station with crutches, bandages, and wheelchairs.
Some social media users emphasized that despite the police officers barricading roads on the day of protests, Kenyans had taken the revolution online.
Just by the amusing videos surrounding President Ruto’s order to the men in uniform proves that Kenyans will always use social media to express their points.
An Instagram user stated, “Akiziba streets tunaenda online.”
A TikToker comically pointed out: “From wheelbarrow to wheelchair in just 2yrs. Ngeli ni ya Wheeliam.”
Ama Wantam amepata contract ya wheelchair mahali#WeAreAllKikuyus
One lege movement pic.twitter.com/8pI28OIb8P
— ✨Omule ? (@ROmule44382) July 9, 2025
This begs the question, why the memes and videos? During the anti-police protest in June, state-sponsored goons swarmed the protesters, beating them and robbing businesses.
Armed with the same clubs and other handmade weapons, they looted dozens of shops in Nairobi town, allegedly sexually assaulted some women, harassed and stole from innocent protesters. They did these unlawful activities while the police officers turned a blind eye.
In the viral videos online, they were seen getting into town by motorcycles and walked the streets accompanied by two police cars filled to brim by armed police officers.
The goons even post a video addressing Nairobi governor Sakaja and stating that they had ‘protected’ the city. “Igwee Sakaja tumechunga jiji,” a man said in the video.
While addressing the Saba Saba Day protests, President Ruto criticised the Gen Z-led movement, dismissing their “wan tam” campaigns with the phrase, “Watajua hawajui”.
He warned against unlawful protests or violence, asserting that “Kenya is a democratic country, and no one can overthrow the government in an unlawful way.”
Ruto condemned the vandalism and destruction of businesses, specifically mentioning the burning of Maathai and Magunas supermarkets.