Igwe Igwe! Lawmakers chant after Ruto's speech

President William Ruto's State of the Nation address on Thursday stirred the National Assembly to a lively reaction, with Members of Parliament chanting "Igwe" in a display of support.

The overwhelming support from the Members of Parliament, leading them to offfer the Head of State a standing ovation while bursting into chants of "Igwe," has been seen as an acknowledgment of his leadership and accomplishments

The term Igwe, which is often used in Nigeria to denote "King," was employed to celebrate the President after his State of the Nation speech, where he highlighted his administration's achievements and plans for the future.

President Ruto's speech touched on key areas such as economic reforms, affordable housing, and agricultural productivity.

Highlighting Kenya’s growth trajectory, he declared, “We are not just addressing challenges; we are transforming lives.”

The President assured Kenyans of continued efforts to address national challenges, including inflation, housing shortages, and education reforms.

"We are not just laying foundations; we are building a Kenya that works for everyone," Ruto stated

He continued by emphasizing his administration's focus on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

The chants of "Igwe" were particularly loud when the President spoke about job creation and the positive trajectory of the country's economic recovery, and the cancellation of the deals with Indian conglomarate Adani.

“The housing programme is more than just homes; it’s a direct investment in our people. Over 164,000 jobs have already been created, and we’re just getting started,” Ruto stated.

This enthusiastic moment marked a stark contrast to the often quiet and tense parliamentary sessions, symbolizing unity and approval across the political divide.

Expressions of the ígwe'' from the members of Parliament reflect growing confidence in some of the government's policies, though challenges remain.

Citizens have raised concerns about the high cost of living and taxation, issues the President pledged to address head-on in the coming months.

The spectacle of MPs chanting in unison showcased a rare moment of comradeship in Kenyan politic symbolising an approval of Ruto's progress and plans.