Several politicians in Kenya have unique nicknames which have worked for them in their political careers.
The personalities with these nicknames spread like wildfires and it increases their popularity among the voters in their jurisdiction and among Kenyans as well.
Some of the politicians who are known by their nicknames include:
1. Kanini Kega
His real name is James Mathenge. He is the MP for Kieni Constituency in Nyeri County. This name means “young but good” in translation from Kikuyu dialect.
2. Mike Sonko
He is the current Nairobi County Governor whose real name is Gideon Mbuvi. He derived this name from urban sheng' language to mean someone rich.
This name is widely known by the people at the grassroot level. He also initiated the Sonko Rescue Team for service delivery in Nairobi city.
3. Kawira Mwangaza
Her real name is Faith Kawira. She is the Meru County Women Representative. She is also a business lady and founder of Kawira Mwangaza foundation which seeks to uplift and empower the lives of women and orphans.
4. Kimani Wamatangi
He is the Senator for Kiambu County whose actual name is Paul Kimani. He is known by the Kiambu people for helping them get water tanks. The name Wamatangi means “of the tanks” which he was nicknamed by the women groups that he had assisted.
4. Wakapee
He is the Juja Constituency MP located in Kiambu County. He earned the moniker “wakapee” which means “he will pay.”
5. Wainaina wa Jungle
He is the incumbent Thika Town MP. His real name is Patrick Wainaina, and is the founder of Jungle Nuts Company which deals with processing macadamia nuts, cashew nuts, and peanuts after buying them from farmers.
6. Mwangi wa Iria
He used this name to win Murang'a County's gubernatorial elections in 2013. His real name is Francis Mwangi. He was credited with reviving the new Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC) thus, people nicknamed him “Iria“ which means milk.