Since ascending to power, President William Ruto has been given numerous nicknames by Kenyans, reflecting his personality, leadership style, and political moves. These nicknames range from witty to outright hilarious, coined mostly by internet users, with some—like “Zakayo”—being the product of minimal creativity and a smartphone.
While President Ruto has embraced some of the less controversial nicknames, he has avoided addressing those that are unflattering or critical of his office. Nevertheless, Kenyans, known for their unrestrained humor, continue to create new nicknames, some of which gain traction while others fade away.
The latest nickname, “Kasongo,” is inspired by a popular Lingala song that has gone viral, particularly on TikTok. The sound, “Kasongo Yeye,” has been used over 164,000 times on TikTok as of November 26, 2024. Its popularity can be traced back to Ugandan pastor Aloysius Bujingo, who sang a humorous rendition of the song during a sermon, urging congregants to return to God.
The pastor’s version, with comical mispronunciations such as “Kasongo Yeye, Mumbali Manga… Songa libala yoooh,” quickly gained attention online. Kenyans adapted the viral sound to critique President Ruto’s perceived missteps in governance, pairing the audio with videos and memes mocking his policies.
The trend gained momentum when X user Yoko Kibet launched a cartoon series portraying Ruto in silhouette, engaging in activities symbolic of his contentious policies. These illustrations included scenes of Ruto interacting with international organizations, negotiating loans, meeting IMF officials, and even sitting atop a tree as Kenyans protested below.
Adding the viral “Kasongo Yeye” tune to these depictions only amplified the narrative, turning the nickname into a symbol of the President’s challenges in governance.
