President Ruto reacts to viral 'Kasongo' nickname

President William Ruto says he likes the new ‘Kasongo’ moniker that Kenyans online christened him across social media platforms.

Speaking on Friday in Bungoma County during the burial of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s mother Maayi Nanyama, the President lightly joked about ‘Kasongo’ and ‘Zakayo’ names referring to them as good.

The Head of State also recognized the now viral ‘Kasongo’ song that has recently become popular across the country, and which partly brought forth the nickname, saying he has no issue with it.

“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,” he said.

“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 also likened the Zakayo moniker to the Biblical character by the same name, urging people to be like him so that they can also be used and visited by God.

“Na kwanza Zakayo ndio Mungu alimtembelea; sasa wewe hujakuwa Zakayo utatembelewa na Mungu namna gani?” He posed.

’Kasongo’ is derived from a Rhumba song by the popular band Super Orchestra Mazembe whose lyrics revolve around a woman urging her husband, Kasongo, to return to their marriage.

Just like Zakayo, which the President embraced in 2024, Kenyans in their usual norm have corrupted the ‘Kasongo’ song to depict President Ruto in silhouette form as he engaged in activities synonymous with some perceived unpopular policies. The silhouettes have since gained massive popularity online.

Initially, the President had remained coy about the name and song but came out on New Year’s Eve in Kisii County to dance to its melody together with his entourage.