The evolution of one and two finger salute in Kenya's political scene

Teachers flash two fingers in State House recently/ PCS

What’s in a finger salute? In Kenya, the finger salute is increasingly gaining political significance, such that even in ordinary social events, one is careful about which finger sign to salute.

Currently, be it political events or social gatherings, you are likely to be confronted with a question of whether you belong to the ‘One Term’ (Wantam) or ‘Two Term’ (Tutam) ideology.

A one-finger salute representing ‘Wantam’ is now linked to opposition leaders who are vowing to do all it takes to make President William Ruto a one-term president in 2027.

On the other hand, a flash of two fingers indicating a support for ‘Tutam’ is now reserved for supporters of President Ruto who are pushing for his second term.

In spite of the 2027 elections being two years away, the heightened political activities may make a visitor arriving in Kenya think the polls are just weeks away.

Now this is where the irony comes in. Over three decades ago, the one-finger salute was a symbol of the ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu), and anyone flashing it was showing his loyalty to Kanu and Moi.

On the other side, a two-finger salute was a logo for opposition movements, especially those linked to the original Forum for Restoration of Democracy (FORD).

The two-finger salute was inspired by the push to end the one-party state under Kanu and introduce pluralism, symbolised by saluting with a two-finger salute.

Matters were too hot then that at one time, a Kanu stalwart from Nakuru declared the area a Kanu-zone and ordered ruling party gangs to cut off the fingers of those flashing two fingers in the district.

In 1990 Wilson Leitich, the Nakuru Kanu Supremo, uttered these words "Vijana wa Kana kuna mambo yanafanyika usiku. Nimetoa amri kwenu mtembee usiku na mvikate vidole viwili ya wafuasi wa hii kitu kinaitwa Ford ambao wanasalamiania na ishara hiyo. Hivyo vidole mniletee kwa ofisi. (There are discomforting night activities and as Kanu youths, I want you to move around at night and chop off fingers of the Ford multiparty proponents flashing the two-finger salute. Bring the fingers to my office.)"

The then President Moi acted immediately by denouncing those utterances, saying he will ensure that disciplinary action is taken against Leitich.

As they say, there is nothing that is permanent except change. What was considered a symbol of the opposition movement yesterday has now turned into a symbol of ruling party support and vice versa. Perhaps tomorrow, things will change again.

Internationally, a two-finger salute is a hand gesture where the index and middle fingers are extended upwards while the other fingers are curled down.

In Poland, it is a formal military salute used by the armed forces and other uniformed services. The gesture's origin is tied to a legendary adjutant who lost his fingers but continued to salute with the remaining two.

In some Western countries, particularly the UK, the same gesture (with the palm facing the person) is a vulgar insult, akin to saying "up yours".

In other contexts, particularly after World War II, it became widely known as a symbol of peace or victory, popularised by Winston Churchill and Hippies