Kenyans have a knack for nicknames and it appears that President William Ruto might win awards for being the most nicknamed Kenyan. Compared to other Presidents and leaders in general, President Ruto just has to do as much as breathe and netizens will be down his throat with names.
President William Ruto addressed Kenyans during his brief tour to Maasai Mara Game Reserve for the Maa Cultural Festival. Photo| Courtesy
It appears as if this trend of nicknaming controversial leaders began with our former President Uhuru Kenyatta. Rumor has it that our beloved fourth president was bullied out of Twitter because of the incessant name-calling. However, two names stuck, ‘Jayden’ and ‘Kamwana.’
Uhuru Kenyatta was branded as Jayden as a symbol of his noble background. Jayden is a name that most Kenyans associate with rich kids. On the other hand, Kenyans saw it fit to call him Kamwana because he is the son of this nation’s father. Nonetheless, the bitter truth remains that, Kenyans looked down on Uhuru’s leadership because of his ancestral background.
Jayden Kalewa Kamwana alongside his wife, have today welcomed the incoming first family in the state house! Wueh,Dunia ni round! pic.twitter.com/GWyyv7XqGF
Now, away with the old names. Forget Zakayo, Nabii, and Hustler, our dearest President was baptized with brand new Maasai names. This came after his brief visit to Maasai Mara for the Maa Cultural Festival on August 22. As soon as President William Ruto was done posing for pics in his Maasai attire, Kenyans had done what they do best.
Meet Zakayo Ole Taxayo/ Ole Ushuru
The creativity in these names is out of this world. According to Kenyans, President Ruto exhibits similar characteristics to the biblical Zaccheus the Tax Collector. Since his tenure, President Ruto has imposed the heaviest taxes Kenya has ever seen. As a result, Kenyan netizens likened him to the tax collector, hence the name Zaccheus which translates to Zakayo in Swahili.
Source| Kenyan_memess
Nonetheless, it is quite hilarious that Kenyans would add “Ole Taxayo” to Zakayo. In Maasai, “Ole” stands for theson of. As Kenyans might not necessarily mean that our President is the son of a tax collector they definitely do mean that he is the son of taxes. Ushuru is a Swahili word for taxes.
Very few Kenyans will see heaven! Oloibon Lenana was an ancient Maasai leader who collaborated with the colonizers. Kenyans likening President Ruto to Lenana stems from Ruto’s heavy collaboration with Western countries for loans. Hence, they tweaked the name from Lenana to Loanana.
Source| Kenyan_memess
Aside from that, President William Ruto has also been referred to as a Moloan. After cladding in what appeared to be a Maasai moran attire, Kenyans seized this opportunity to christen him once more with a new name. A Moran is a young Maasai male who has undergone all rites of passage into adulthood/manhood. After all, who knows, Moloan might actually mean a moran who is into loans.
Meet Oloiloan Lejaba/ Loankeu Olechocha
At this point, the country deserves to know the people behind this talent. Our fifth President Mr. William Ruto has been accused of making very many empty promises. Kenyans like referring to these “empty promises” as story za jaba.
Source| Kenyan_memess
Jaba which translates to Khat is a drug that is usually associated with crowds that like telling and listening to unrealistic stories. Oloiloan Lejaba is a name that pays tribute to the numerous times President Ruto has assured Kenyans that he would lower the cost of living only for it to shoot twice as high.
Woe unto you (Ole Wenu) who keep on coming up with these names. Hope and pray that the fifth doesn’t catch up with you. Something about this Ole Wenu name screams “Na niliwawuoon!” ( I warned you). It appears most Kenyans still have very little faith in the President.
Source| Kenyan_memess
Moreover, before his ascension to the Presidency, William Ruto’s campaign was maligned with allegations of theft and land grabbing. This explains the nickname, Uliam Ole Tuiba, which loosely translates to William Son of Theft.
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