‘Total Lack Of Respect’: Macron Halts Speech At Kenya University Event, Calls Out Noisy Audience

Last Updated:May 11, 2026, 10:57 PM IST

The clip has since circulated widely on social media platform X, where users were sharply divided over Macron’s response.

France President Emmanuel Macron during the Africa Forward summit in Nairobi on May 11. (AFP photo)

The video shows French President Emmanuel Macron stopping a speech mid-way at Nairobi University on Monday during a session at the ‘Africa Forward’ summit, as he demanded silence from a noisy audience, calling the disruption a “total lack of respect.” The incident has since gone viral online, triggering a mix of reactions and debate.

Macron, who is on a visit to Kenya for the ‘Africa Forward’ summit, was attending a culture conference when he interrupted the proceedings after audience chatter and noise reportedly made it difficult for speakers to continue.

“Excuse me, everybody! Hey! Hey! Hey! I am sorry, guys, but it’s impossible to speak about culture, to have people like that, super inspired, coming here and making a speech with such a noise,” Macron said, visibly frustrated.

Calling out the audience, he added, “This is a total lack of respect. So, I suggest, if you want to have bilaterals or to speak about somebody else, I mean, something else, you have bilateral rooms or you go outside.”

“If you want to stay here, we listen to the people and we play in the same game, Okay? Thank you,” he added.

Users divided over Macron’s response

The clip has since circulated widely on social media platform X, where users were sharply divided over Macron’s response.

Some users supported the French President, arguing that he was justified in restoring order. “Look! I don’t see any wrong in that… that is leadership,” one user wrote. Another said it was “simple common sense and good manners to listen when someone speaks.”

Others, however, criticised his tone and manner, calling it excessive and arrogant. “Respect should flow naturally, not be enforced on the mic,” a user commented.

Another wrote, “That HAY HAY HAY was so arrogant. They’re not school kids and you’ve got a microphone! You could’ve asked the moderator to handle it instead of embarrassing yourself like this.”

Several posts also took a more sarcastic and political tone, with some accusing Macron of behaving like a “content creator,” while others linked the reaction to broader France-Africa relations and questioned authority dynamics.

“The Colonizer is getting rocky I see,” a user remarked. While another added, “Imagine an African president doing this at a French university. The headlines would never stop.”

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