French President Emmanuel Macron told a noisy audience to leave a room during a presentation in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday [1].

The incident occurred during a high-profile diplomatic visit, highlighting the friction between formal summit protocols and the behavior of attendees at public forums.

Macron was joined by Kenyan President William Ruto at the University of Nairobi [1], [2]. The event was part of the Africa Forward business forum, where the leaders were engaging with local stakeholders and business representatives [3].

During the session, the crowd became increasingly disruptive. Macron halted the proceedings to address the noise level directly. He said, "If you cannot be quiet, go outside" [1].

Following the remark, the French president said that those unable to maintain silence exit the venue to allow the presentation to continue [1], [3]. The interruption occurred as the leaders sought to foster economic ties and cooperation between France and Kenya [2].

Reports indicate that the disruption was a result of general noise and a lack of decorum within the hall [3]. Macron's reaction was immediate, focusing on the necessity of respect during the official presentation [3].

President Ruto remained present during the exchange as the event attempted to regain order [1]. The university setting provided the backdrop for the encounter, which was captured in video footage shared by news agencies [1], [2].

“"If you cannot be quiet, go outside."”

This interaction underscores the tension between the rigid expectations of European diplomatic protocol and the dynamic environment of public engagements in East Africa. By publicly reprimanding the crowd, Macron prioritized the formal structure of the business forum over the optics of populist engagement, potentially signaling a strict approach to the 'Africa Forward' initiative's proceedings.