President William Ruto’s engagement with Kenyans living in the United States took a political turn after a man in the audience was captured raising one finger while the President addressed the diaspora community in New York.

A video showing the unidentified man holding up the single finger has since attracted attention online, with some Kenyans interpreting the gesture as a reference to the “Wantam” slogan calling for Ruto to serve only one presidential term.

The footage, reported by Tuko News, shows Ruto addressing a packed gathering while the man stands among members of the audience with one finger raised.

The man’s exact intention could not be independently established, although the gesture has been widely associated with the “Wantam” political slogan in Kenya.

Tuko reported that one social media user who claimed to have attended the event said the man shouted “Wantam” during the incident.

The moment occurred during Ruto’s September 20 engagement with Kenyans living in the United States at Convene, 30 Hudson Yards, in New York.

The meeting was organised by the Kenyan Embassy in Washington, DC, in partnership with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.

Ruto addresses Kenyans in US

While the one-finger gesture became one of the most discussed moments from the meeting, Ruto used the engagement to defend his administration’s economic record and outline opportunities available to Kenyans living abroad.

The President told the diaspora that Kenya’s economy was on the right footing, pointing to changes in inflation, interest rates and foreign exchange reserves.

Ruto said Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves had increased from $5.7 billion to about $15.3 billion and argued that the country had stabilised its economy.

“Inflation has come down, interest rates have come down, our foreign exchange reserves have grown from $5.7 billion to $15.3 billion,” Ruto said, according to The Star.

He also urged Kenyans abroad to rely on economic data when assessing the state of the country’s economy.

The engagement came at a politically sensitive time as parties and political movements begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

‘Wantam’ slogan enters diaspora conversation

The one-finger gesture attracted particular attention because of its association with “Wantam”, a slogan used by political opponents calling for Ruto to serve only one term.

The slogan has become increasingly visible in Kenya’s political discourse as the country moves closer to the 2027 election.

The New York incident therefore provided a striking visual moment during an event that was primarily organised around government-diaspora engagement, investment and development.

The Star also published a photograph from the meeting showing a Kenyan living in the United States displaying a placard, highlighting the different forms of expression visible during the engagement.

Ruto launches diaspora investment platform

Away from the political moment, Ruto witnessed the unveiling of the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform during the New York meeting.

The initiative is being developed through a partnership involving the Government of Kenya, the United Nations in Kenya and Equity Group Holdings.

According to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the platform is designed to connect Kenyans and other diaspora-based investors with credible and verifiable investment and development opportunities in Kenya.

It is expected to provide opportunities for diaspora participation in community projects, financing for micro, small and medium enterprises, enterprise development, philanthropy and skills and knowledge transfer.

Ruto said the government wanted to build a stronger connection between Kenyans abroad and opportunities at home.

“We are building a stronger bridge between Kenyans abroad and opportunities at home, founded on trust, transparency and measurable results,” he said.

The New York engagement was held ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where Ruto was scheduled to participate in discussions on global and development issues.

For Ruto, the diaspora meeting provided an opportunity to promote his administration’s economic agenda and investment opportunities.

But for many Kenyans following the event online, the image of a man raising one finger while the President spoke quickly became one of the most memorable moments of the New York engagement.