When it comes to changing names, people do it for different reasons.
Ferdinand Clifford Ndung’u Waititu, the Governor of Kiambu County, is one of the public figures who successfully changed his name from Ferdinand Waititu in the year 2013.
The Governor was embracing the name on his academic certificates “Clifford Ndung’u Waititu” and the one on his identity card “Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu”.
"(Mr Waititu) in lieu thereof assumed and adopted the name Ferdinand Clifford Ndung'u Waititu, for all purposes and authorises and requests all persons at all times to designate, describe and address him by his assumed name Ferdinand Clifford Ndung'u Waititu only,” read the document in Gazette Notice number 1076
The change in name has helped the Kiambu Governor in the following ways.
The change in names helped the Governor to have his academic certificates name go hand in hand with his national identity card name which helped the governor to silence those who were doubting his academic qualifications.
It also made it easier for Ferdinand Clifford Ndung’u Waititu, to contest boldly, for the gubernatorial seat in Kiambu County on a Jubilee ticket.
It also helped the governor to emerge victorious in the race pitting former Governor William Kabogo. This is because Kiambu voters gained confidence in him after his academic clearance that came after he changed the name.
He has also gained fame among many Kenyans who make jokes around his name as one of the Kenyans with a 'longest' name.