Kenyan Man Trends On TikTok For Selling William Ruto’s Mambo Ni Matatu T-shirts At KSh 1k

• A young man is minting money using words recently uttered by President William Ruto as a threat to sugar cartels
• The man, identified on TikTok as @itrendstores, is printing t-shirts with the words, mambo ni matatu, uhame 254, uende jela au usafiri
• The t-shirts, white with the printings done in black, yellow and blue, are selling for only KSh 1,000 and they appear to be in demand

A young Kenyan entrepreneur has captured the nation's attention by seizing a unique business opportunity derived from President William Ruto's recent fiery warning to sugar cartels.

What did the president say?

The young man, known on TikTok as @itrendstores, has turned the president's words into a lucrative venture by printing them on t-shirts, which he's selling for KSh 1,000 each.

The genesis of this remarkable story can be traced back to Ruto's visit to the Western region, where he delivered a stern message to those involved in sugar cartels.

According to the head of state, the cartels have greatly hindered his efforts to revive the Mumias Sugar Company.

During his speech, Ruto's words were particularly vivid as he laid down the threats to the cartels, offering them three options: leave the country, face imprisonment, or go on a celestial journey.

"And I have said that if they do not change, they should vacate the country; if not, they will go to jail, or they should pack their things and go to heaven," he said.

Tiktoker sells t-shirts at KSh 1k

The TikToker swiftly recognised the potential in the president's striking words and converted them into a novel business opportunity.

He began printing these words onto t-shirts, creating a design that prominently featured the phrase,

"Mambo ni Matatu, uhame 254, uende jela, usafiri" in black lettering within a blue and yellow triangle, accompanied by a cartoon image of Ruto wearing a turban.

The clever entrepreneur's TikTok video showcasing these t-shirts quickly gained traction and went viral.

Capitalising on the attention, the TikToker told TUKO.co.ke that began selling the shirts at a price of KSh 1,000 each.

The response from the public has been overwhelming, with many eager to own a piece of this unique merchandise.

Netizens react

The online sphere has been buzzing with discussions as Kenyans have shown interest in the t-shirts and their ability to find humour and creativity even in severe political statements.

Graciela wrote:

"Kenyans are super creative in business ideas. Hii msemo niliskia jana tu."

Nesh said:

"This is why l love my Kenyan people. Yaani opportunity haiwezi pita bure."

Dee wondered:

"How much wholesale mixed t-shirts. Medium and large ie?"

vincentkeyh wrote

"This is celebrating tyrant in a way but he will turn against you."

mrembo10over10 expressed concerns:

"When people lack knowledge.... someone has just threatened people who make the country's economy... and the citizens are making it a joke."

William Ruto's threats to cartels spark hilarious hashtags

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported Ruto's threat to sugar cartels impeding his efforts to revive Mumias Sugar Company has become a sensation on social media.

He first pronounced the warning on Sunday, August 27, and despite coming under criticism, he would reiterate it on Wednesday, August 30.

"Let me repeat so that they hear well, I have said corrupt cartels who are stealing from Kenyans, who brought Mumias and Nzoia Sugar companies down and are now behaving bullish, must vacate Kenya. We will deal with them firmly," Ruto said as the crowd cheered.

His statement has since caused a buzz on social media as Kenyans jumped onto the 'mambo ni matatu' bandwagon, making it a popular hashtag on the Elon Musk-owned social media app.