In a powerful show of digital defiance, Kenyans have once again harnessed the power of humor, satire, and social media to push back against state authority. The latest wave of online protest was sparked by President William Ruto’s controversial directive that police should shoot violent demonstrators in the leg rather than kill them—a comment that quickly ignited national outrage and inspired a viral movement.

Within hours, what began as disbelief transformed into a uniquely Kenyan brand of digital resistance. Platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook exploded with AI-generated memes, parody videos, and witty takes under trending hashtags such as #OneLeggeMovement and #Wheeliam. These trends became rallying points for netizens expressing their dissent with biting creativity.

The President’s remarks—“Mtu kama huyo apigwe risasi aende hospitali akienda kortini”—were widely circulated and mocked. TikTok users dramatized imaginary injuries in a viral challenge dubbed #RisasiYaMguu, some hopping on one leg or using crutches, others staging comical re-enactments of “election day” limping to polling stations.

One of the most resonant symbols of the movement was an image of former President Mwai Kibaki in a wheelchair during his 2002 swearing-in—repurposed to draw stark comparisons between leadership then and now. It quickly became a visual anchor of the protest’s irony.

Prominent political voices and influencers also joined the online resistance. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua shared images of injured youth while condemning the President’s stance, accusing the government of inflicting both literal and symbolic harm.

Even comedians, content creators, and musicians contributed to the momentum, weaving the President’s quote into dance tracks and voiceovers. A TikTok parody chorus—“Usinipige risasi ya mguu”—has garnered millions of views and become an anthem for digital resistance.

This isn’t new ground for Kenyans. The public has previously used satire to respond to unpopular government actions. President Ruto himself has been the subject of playful nicknames like Zakayo, Kasongo, and El Chapo—references he has acknowledged with humor in public.

But this latest wave marks a significant escalation: a humorous yet pointed indictment of power, delivered not through marches but memes. In doing so, Kenyans have once again demonstrated that in the face of repression, humor can be one of the sharpest tools of protest.