Vera Sidika Mung’asia, one of Kenya’s most celebrated socialites, recently opened up about how she acquired the nickname “Shikwekwe.”
Taking to her social media platforms, Vera clarified that the name is not her real name. The Luhya beauty shared that the nickname emerged following a bitter public fallout with her former lover, singer Jacob Obunga, popularly known as Otile Brown.
According to the mother of two, Kenyans on social media coined the name six years ago during her dramatic breakup with Otile.
“People started calling me Shikwekwe after a messy split with a certain artist. The breakup was full of drama, and it all played out on social media in a way that wasn’t exactly pleasant,” Vera recounted.
During the breakup, Vera had shared screenshots of Mpesa transactions online, which revealed Otile Brown’s real name—Jacob Obunga. The revelation caused a stir among netizens, who found the name amusing and unexpected for a celebrity.
“People were surprised to learn the real name of the artist I was dating. They joked about how even celebrities could have such ‘interesting’ names,” Vera explained.
The playful banter didn’t stop there. Social media users humorously speculated that if Otile’s name was Jacob Obunga, then Vera’s real name must be Veronica Shikwekwe. What started as a joke quickly spread, with many Kenyans believing the nickname to be her actual name.
“At the time, I found it funny too, and we all laughed about it. But I didn’t expect the name to stick,” she admitted.
However, Vera has made it clear that she is not fond of the nickname. She has urged Kenyans to stop calling her Shikwekwe, emphasizing that it’s not her real name.
“Guys, please stop calling me Shikwekwe. It’s 2025 now, let’s leave that name behind. I’m serious—don’t call me that anymore. I don’t like it,” she pleaded.
Despite the nickname’s humorous origin, Vera Sidika remains one of Kenya’s most iconic personalities, proving that even controversy can’t dim her star power.
