KENYAN President William Ruto has embraced the nickname ‘Kasongo’, a title social media critics gave him, much like his earlier nickname ‘Zakayo’. Instead of dismissing it, Ruto has chosen to own the label, even referencing it in public speeches.
Speaking at a funeral service in Western Kenya, Ruto acknowledged the viral nickname, saying: ‘Some people online don’t want us to talk about government programmes. They just want to keep saying, ‘nothing is being done.’ They incite, spread falsehoods, and blame ‘Kasongo’, ‘Zakayo’—I don’t know. But it’s okay, Kasongo is a good song, and many people love it. So let’s continue with the nickname. And calling me Zakayo isn’t bad either, because I am collecting taxes to take Kenya forward. I’m fine with the nicknames.’
His remarks, as reported by TRT Afrika, brought laughter from mourners, highlighting his ability to defuse criticism with humour.
The origins of ‘Zakayo’ and ‘Kasongo’
The ‘Zakayo’ nickname emerged after Ruto’s government increased taxes following his election in September 2022. Named after Zacchaeus, the biblical tax collector, the nickname became a popular way for Kenyans to express frustration over new levies, including the controversial housing tax.
As public discourse around ‘Zakayo’ slowed, social media users introduced ‘Kasongo’ to keep the trend alive. The exact inspiration remains unclear, but memes featuring the 1977 song ‘Kasongo’ by Super Mazembe played a major role in its adoption.
Super Mazembe’s ‘Kasongo’ song and Its Lingala roots
According to TRT Afrika, ‘Kasongo’ is the title of a 1977 song by Super Mazembe, a Congolese band that gained fame in East Africa. The song, performed in Lingala, tells the story of a woman pleading for her husband, Kasongo, to return home after a long absence.
The lyrics express heartbreak and longing: ‘Kasongo, my husband, I am hurting. Please return home. My eyes are glued to the road, hoping to see you walking back. The children keep asking, ‘Where is our father?’ What should I tell them?’
Super Mazembe, initially called Super Vox, was founded in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the late 1960s. The band later moved to Kenya in the mid-1970s, where they became one of East Africa’s most celebrated musical groups.
The name ‘Kasongo’ may also have been influenced by Kasongo Songo Ley, one of Super Mazembe’s original members, or Kasongo wa Kanema, who joined the band in 1978 and passed away in Nairobi in 2020.
As memes featuring the ‘Kasongo’ song spread online, President Ruto took notice. On New Year’s Eve, a video of him dancing to the song at a state lodge in Kisii County went viral, fueling further online discussions.
Despite the nickname’s origins in social media satire, Ruto’s lighthearted response has shaped public perception, showing his willingness to engage with Kenya’s vibrant digital culture.
