Rapper Toxic Lyrikali slammed over 'Two Term' slogan in State House visit

At the event, presided over by President William Ruto, and which saw the government dish out millions and small business tool kits, Toxic appeared on stage to a rousing welcome from the gathered crowd, as the president beamed proudly right behind the rapper.

At the invitation of Dagoretti North MP John 'KJ' Kiarie, the lanky street rapper strode onto the stage and uttered a few words, which ultimately led to a chaotic backlash online, turning him from a hero to a much-maligned villain within hours.

After accepting the microphone from KJ, Toxic muttered: "Tuasema aje? Ati tunaisema aje? Mboka Doba siku zombo. Two term!"

As the crowd roared in choreographed response, Toxic then turned to President Ruto, shook his hand, gave him a shoulder bump and then waltzed off stage.

"Two Term", obviously, is the government's push back to the opposition's clarion call, 'Wantam' - a viral slogannering term popularized to ensure that Ruto will not serve a second term in office.

Soon after the video went viral on the internet, the 'Backbencher' rapper was slammed for what critics term as looking down upon the plight of the millions of Kenyan Gen Z who are not only battling with joblessness, but also hopelessness, police brutality, abductions and State-sponsored killings.

Many, who had long viewed Toxic Lyrikalli as the hope of the ghetto youth and the voice of the millions of downtrodden slum dwellers, immediately revoked their faith in the rapper, many shocked at his willingness to betray the movement and support the powers-that-be.

X user @Alchemist wrote, "Toxic lyricali is proof of that 'anybody can betray you under the right circumstances'".

Someone else wrote, "Toxic Lyrikal tryna play cop and thief at the same time. It doesn't work like that brother. You pick a side and stay there."

On his part Joseph Muchina wrote, "We need to cancel Toxic Lyrikalli. There is no way you can betray the trust of Kenyans who pushed your music to where it is. Bila sisi anadhani angepata hio platform? This is why siskizangi most Kenyan artists, wako willing to compromise their ethics for the bag ni kama hao hulala njaa! Nkt!"

Yet another displeased Kenyan said," In other countries, like the US and UK, artists make their stand and even lose endorsements and millions for their uncompromising stands and viewpoints. Hapa Kenya, Itumbi calls you for a few thousand dollars, and suddenly, you've forgotten everything you ever believed in. Surely, poverty is an evil thing."

On Instagram, when asked by a fan why he couldn't shout 'Wantam' right in the presence of the president, the rapper defended himself jocularly, writing, "Ground ni ile ile, niseme wantam akiwa hapo nipotezwe?"

Popular X personality Kimuzi was among the few who came to the rapper's defense, saying that he chose himself over the people, as many people would, anyway. 

"But tuseme tu ukweli. Toxic lyrically did what any human being would do. Hapo alichoose himself over people. Online energy haikuangi same Na ground mostly. Hauezi ropokwa grao juu consequences Ni immediate," he wrote.

Lawrence Mukuyu agreed, saying, "Alikuwa cornered. I won't criticize Toxic at all. He tried kuondokea. But he had no excuse or room to be hostile to his host. He just had to say tutam kuondokea mambo mob."

The Kayole-born rapper is arguably the biggest rapper in Kenya right now. His latest song 'Backbencher' has been trending at Number One on both Spotify and Apple Music for weeks, and the music video, released just three weeks ago, has already garnered a staggering 3.3 million views  - an average of a million views per week.