'Mtaniua na majina,' Ruto embraces his many nicknames

President William Ruto serving chapati at Toi Primary School.[Photo PCS]

For a man with one of the most recognisable names in Kenya, President William Ruto has acquired a growing collection of nicknames-and he's taking it in stride.

On Thursday, during his fourth-day tour of Nairobi County, Ruto addressed a cheering crowd at the newly launched Lang'ata Technical and Vocational College, questioning their enthusiasm for renaming him.

"Let me ask you, people of Nairobi and Langata; you want to drown me in names. You started by calling me a hustler, then survivor, to zakayo, and now you have turned to Kasongo. How many more names do you intend to give me? Will you stop at ten, or should I prepare for more?" he posed.

The crowd roared back in unison: "We will add more!"

Ruto, ever the politician, seized the moment.

"Well then," he said, smiling, "I shall henceforth be called William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto hustler, zakayo, kasongo-and whatever else you come up with."

The audience erupted in laughter and applause.

One of the leaders accompanying him on the tour chimed in, offering yet another moniker.

"You forgot one, Mr. President," he said. "The youth have also christened you El Chapo."

Ruto chuckled before climbing onto his motorcade and, in a rare display, danced to the popular 'Kasongo' tune as his convoy moved to the next stop.

Since the start of his city-wide tour, Ruto has been doling out promises, some more ambitious than others.

Among the latest and controversial is a chapati-making machine capable of producing one million chapatis a day to support the school feeding program.

At Toi Primary School, he was seen donning a Dishi na County green apron with polythene gloves, serving students fresh chapatis from a cooking pot-a moment captured and widely shared on social media.

Meanwhile, Ruto also took the opportunity to defend his newfound political alliance with opposition leader Raila Odinga, calling him a patriot.

"Raila Odinga is the foremost patriotic leader that has decided that the unity of Kenya, progress and transformation of Kenya is very important to all of us, I want to tell other leaders let us join forces," he said.

As Ruto's list of nicknames grows, so does his list of political promises. How many will stick, and how many will be fulfilled, remains to be seen.