President William Ruto has addressed the nickname “Kasongo,” a term that has recently gained popularity in reference to him.
Speaking at a funeral service in Bungoma on Friday, Ruto dismissed concerns about the various nicknames Kenyans have assigned him, expressing no objection to their use.
“That Kasongo name is fine. It’s actually a very good song that was trending, so let’s keep it going,” he remarked.
He also weighed in on the moniker “Zakayo” (Zacchaeus), which has been associated with his administration’s focus on tax collection.
“The Zakayo nickname isn’t bad either because collecting taxes to develop Kenya is a good thing. And don’t forget, Zakayo was visited by God. If you’re not Zakayo, how will God visit you?” Ruto humorously noted.
His comments were made during the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s mother in Bungoma County.
Ruto’s remarks follow his recent public dance to the “Kasongo” song during a New Year’s Eve dinner at the Kisii State Lodge.
The track, originally performed by Super Mazembe and written by Alley Katele, has gained renewed popularity in Kenya, where it is now widely used for social and political satire. Social media users have creatively adapted its lyrics to critique the current political landscape, adding to its cultural significance.
