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.
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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.
In response, the President’s communication team tried to counter the negative trend by producing their own cartoons highlighting Ruto’s achievements. However, the effort was widely criticized as a failed attempt to restore his image. Reports even suggested that the President’s team sought international software solutions to manage his online reputation, further fueling the “Kasongo Yeye” buzz.
The nickname itself comes from the song *Kasongo* by the Super Orchestra Mazembe, a renowned band originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The song’s lyrics tell the story of a woman pleading with her husband, Kasongo, to return to their marriage.
Super Orchestra Mazembe, known for their infectious Soukous music, moved to Nairobi in 1974 and became famous for hits like *Shauri Yako*, *Bwana Nipe Pesa*, and *Samba*. The band's name translates to “giant earth movers,” a fitting metaphor for their significant influence on the East African music scene.
Today, “Kasongo Yeye” has evolved from a viral trend into a satirical critique of President Ruto, with its origins in music, humor, and political discourse continuing to captivate Kenyans online.
