Anguka Nayo: How a party song became the rhythm of Kenya's online activism

Initially, it was just another Arbantone song released by rap duo Wadagliz; basically, a simple party track talking about party, fun, indulgence and free-living.

The beat, sampled from DJ Creme de la Creme's old hit 'Kufa Juu', is a bouncy, sparkly serving which immediately arrests the listener and coaxes them to the dancefloor.

Rap duo Wadagliz, made up of Kantel Mdagliz and MannaZ probably did not anticipate the kind of wild reaction the song would get - and probably did not even plan the well-timed release.

If 'Anguka Nayo' was released back in January, for instance, it would probably have become just another Arbantone hit which would soon fade away after heightened Tiktok dances and club replays.

Now, 'Anguka Nayo', whose audio was released roughly a week or two ago, has become the soul of the Kenyan online activism, quickly capturing the zeitgeist of the Gen Z anti-government movement.

The song's title - and headline - has become the perfect lyrical euphemism for what Kenyans have been agitating for over the last one month - the ultimate collapse of brutish public servants and their corrupt tendencies.

As the protests entered week two, and then week three, 'Anguka Nayo' found a new life, and a new meaning. It now wasn't just another song talking about pretty girls and wild house parties - it was somewhat a revolutionary anthem, being played in the same spirit as classics like Eric Wainaina's 'Daima'.

As President Ruto continued making concessions and dropping policies which Kenyans had been clamoruing against, 'Anguka Nayo' continued to capture the mood of the masses, with Kenyans using it to gaud the President and his policies all of which they wanted done away with, or, essentially, dropped.

'Anguka Nayo' also came in handy as governmental changes continued to unfold - Finance Bill rejection, austerity measures for civil servants, the scrapping of non-essential offices, the move to do away with the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) offices, etc etc.

As it all happened, in real time, Kenyans would gather online to sing the chorus, 'Anguka Nayo'.

The song's unassailable dominance continued into the weeks as the pressure continued to mount and more political casualties fell from their high seats and gilded offices.

To keep up the tempo, Tiktok dance challenges were unleashed, as Kenyans outdid each other in doing the dance - it involves a comical contortion of the body, hands outstretched, as one rhythmically lowers themselves down.

So viral was the dance challenge that soon even politicians, hoping to re-connect with the public and appear relatable, jumped onto the trend. Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, at the height of the Paris Olympics trip debacle, also tried the challenge - but to an ice-cold response.

Obviously reading the room, Wadagliz quickly shot a music video to keep the temperatures up. Despite the fact that it's a low-budget effort, which features the rappers gathered around their friends at a rundown neighbourhood park, the reception has been earth-shattering.

On Tiktok too, the sounds has been used hundreds of thousands of times - in almost all these cases, it appears to relate to the current political temperatures with President Ruto and his men featuring prominently in the videos.

Again, after the President dropped all his Cabinet Secretaries, it was yet another opportunity to blast 'Anguka Nayo' across the country.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has resigned? Anguka Nayo! Musalia Mudadavi is still occupying an illegal office? Anguka Nayo! Medical interns are camping outside Afya House? Anguka Nayo!

In fact, the song has now been converted into a slogan for upcoming protests with several posters circulating online, announcing the July 16 protests, being titled 'Anguka Nayo. TUESDAY July 16 Nationwide protests. "

In a previous interview, the hit makers explained that the song was inspired by their love for good vibes, dancing, and simply enjoying oneself.

"We just wanted to create something that people could dance to and feel good about," said Kantel Mdagliz.

Now, Wadagliz may be shocked at the monster they inadvertently created - and how it has found it's way not just into the hearts of Kenyans but the mind of the President.