President William Ruto has expressed his fondness for the new nickname “Kasongo,” which Kenyans on social media have widely adopted to refer to him.
Speaking on Friday in Bungoma County during the funeral of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s mother, Maayi Nanyama, the President humorously acknowledged the “Kasongo” and “Zakayo” monikers, referring to them as positive labels.
The Head of State also commented on the now-viral “Kasongo” song, which has gained significant popularity across the country and partly inspired the nickname. He noted that he has no objection to it, stating:
“Kuna watu wengine wako huko kwa mitandao hawataki sana tuseme hiyo mambo kwa sababu wanataka tu kuendelea kusema hakuna kazi inaendelea huku Kenya, fitina, story… mara Kasongo, Zakayo.”
ALSO READ:Â 6 Must-Read Books for Personal Growth and Success
“Hiyo Kasongo ni sawa, ni wimbo mzuri ambao ulikuwa unaendelea so tuendelee nayo. Ile ya Zakayo pia si mbaya kwa sababu tunakusanya ushuru ya kupeleka Kenya mbele. Hiyo ni sawa.”
President Ruto further likened the Zakayo nickname to the Biblical character Zacchaeus, encouraging people to emulate him to experience divine visitation.
“Na kwanza Zakayo ndio Mungu alimtembelea; sasa wewe hujakuwa Zakayo utatembelewa na Mungu namna gani?” he remarked.
The “Kasongo” nickname originates from a popular rhumba song by Super Orchestra Mazembe, which tells the story of a woman urging her husband, Kasongo, to return to their marriage.
Similar to the Zakayo moniker, which the President embraced in 2024, Kenyans have creatively reinterpreted the “Kasongo” song to associate it with President Ruto, often using silhouette imagery to comment on his policies. These depictions have since garnered immense traction online.
ALSO READ:Â 6 Must-Read Books for Personal Growth and Success
Initially reserved about the nickname and the song, the President publicly embraced it on New Year’s Eve in Kisii County, even dancing to its melody alongside his entourage.
