Kenyans are a creative lot especially when it comes to baptizing politicians with nicknames. Some of these pseudo names stand out that we even forget the real identities.
Below is a list of some of the politicians who have outstanding nicknames, ranging from the former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Moha Jicho Pevu.
Riggy G
From the beginning of the 2022 campaigns, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua became a talk in the country for his dress code and speeches but what stood out was his nickname; Riggy G.
It was derived from his real name as a way of making it melodious. The name which was coined by one Ivy Chelimo impressed the DP and he embraced it. He went ahead and asked his son to trace the lady and in gave her a job in his office.
“The young lady watched me during the deputy presidential debate with Martha Karua [Azimio la Umoja running mate] and thought my name was a bit difficult. She then decided to make it a little melodious and crafted Riggy G. I have looked for her and awarded her a job opportunity in my office,” said Gachagua.
Agwambo
Azimio la Umoja party leader Raila Odinga is a man of many nicknames. From Agwambo, Baba, Tinga, Jakom to Nyundo. Agwambo is a Luo name meaning unpredictable or mystery. His political followers gave him the name for his nature of being unpredictable in the political game.
Baba means father and he got the name from his supporters who see him as a father figure. Odinga is also seen as a fighter for Kenyans. Tinga means tractor and Odinga was given the name when he was the National Development Party (NDP) leader, the party whose slogan was Tinga.
Nyundo is a Swahili name for a hammer. He got the name in the 2000s after importing a Hummer model car ahead of the 2007 general election.
Kamwana/ Jayden/ Wanjohi
Kamwana is a Kikuyu name meaning a young man. A section of Kenyans baptized former President Uhuru Kenyatta to justify the fact that he was still young for reelection in 2017.
Jayden
Jayden is a popular name for boys. It's a favourite among modern parents. Many people believe the name is given to pampered and cool kids, who depend on their parents. Kenyans described the former president as a political Jayden, who had the backing of his mother and former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
Papa wa Roma
The moniker belongs to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula. It is a Swahili translation of Rome’s Pope. Wetangula got the title from Bungoma county residents and classmates.
He was given this name because his directives are followed to the latter just like Pope’s.
Jicho Pevu
This must be one of the names that have overshadowed Nyali member of parliament’s real name, Mohamed Ali. He bagged the name from his popular investigative show that aired on KTN. Years after quitting media and joining politics, he is still referred to as Jicho Pevu.
Iron Lady
This is a name that is widely used to describe female leaders in the government as strong-willed.
Former presidential aspirant Martha Karua, is described as the Iron lady for her no-nonsense nature in the political world.
She is however never amused by the name as she feels it is a misrepresentation of her gender.
“I think that nickname in a way speaks to the misogyny within society. Strength is not perceived as female, strength is perceived as male,” she said during an interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo.
MaDVD
This is a byname that belongs to the current Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. It is a direct name that was derived from his name MuDaVaDi.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a sweet and refreshing fruit. Its unique nature of being green on the outer with red flesh when ripe. It is used to describe people who keep changing their stance.
The nickname belongs to Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for being politically indecisive. He got the name after dropping his presidential ambitions to back ODM leader Raila Odinga’s.
“It was Raila who gave me the watermelon tag but there is no problem,” said Kalonzo during an interview with KTN.
