In Summary
- A poet has roasted President Ruto in Charlene’s presence.
- The poet was reciting a poem titled ‘Chwani’ in response to the escalating food prices and the high cost of living.
- The unmerciful poet got a standing ovation from the audience.
A Kenyan poet has roasted President William Ruto in the presence of her daughter, Charlene Ruto with a poem dubbed ‘Hiyo Chwani’ in response to the escalating food prices and the rising cost of living.
In videos doing rounds on social media, the poet kicks off his narration with a blow by blow account filled with punchlines, metaphors and wordplay on how the current economy has affected the common person.
“Hiyo Chwani” is a loose translation for “50 Shillings” which the poet dreams that food prices and other commodities should at least go down by that margin to ease the pinch of the biting economy.
A good speaker involves his audience in his speech and the poet strikes the right chord when he involves the audience in his narration.
While dispensing his wisdom, the audience joins the vibe by answering “Hiyo Chwani” at the end of his lines.
Dressed in a Kangol cap, beige shirt, black pants and white sneakers the poet oozes great confidence while delivering his mission.
From high transport costs, rising power bills to wanton insecurity the poet delves on different factors affecting the cost of living.
According to the poet, everyone is going through a tough time no matter his or her political affiliation.
His voice is a rallying call to everyone to stand up and fight for what is right.
“Sisi wote tunakapitia na leo nimekuja kuwaambia shida ni gani shida ni ‘hiyo chwani’ sio sisi ni ‘hiyo chwani’ he recites partly.
Standing Ovation
By the time the poet sums up his narration, the audience goes into a frenzy giving him a standing ovation.
Chants of ‘Hiyo Chwani’ ‘Hiyo Chwani’ soon fill the whole auditorium.
To crown it all, he goes ahead to ask the president’s daughter, Charlene to talk to his father and ensure life becomes bearable.
“Charlene sina ubaya ongea na mzae(father) atupunguzie bei ya vitu at least atutolee hiyo chwani” he summed up amid a heavy applause.
