Machakos gubernatorial hopeful Wavinya Ndeti.She has gained immense popularity over her Yaliyondwele sipite utterance.[Photo/Nation]
It is election time again and its up and down as hopefuls and incumbents seek to quench their leadership thirsts.Nicknames have also erupted as politicians use the most common names in a bid to popularize themselves with all their potential voters.Here are some of the politicians whose nicknames are the most talked about.
Machakos gubernatorial aspirant Wavinya Ndeti seems to be ripping a lot from what initially appeared to be a simple pronunciation confusion. Wavinya who mistook the Swahili proverb Yaliyopita Si ndwele for 'Yaliyondwele Sipite' is now even more populous thanks to the mistake.
Her Kirinyaga counterpart Anne Waiguru has also found herself on the receiving end,a good one at that,following the eruption of her new nickname 'Minji Minji' a Kikuyu word for peas.The nickname has made her more famous than she was and she seems to prefer it more than her real name.
Also in the list is Machakos governor Alfred Mutua who has also been nicknamed 'Mtu wa sinema' (the cinema guy).This was a product of his political enemies who accused him of always involving in fun activities rather than serving the county.He has been severally spotted dancing with his wife in public occasions and also crying in public.He is however not offended by the name use.
Homabay governor Cyprian Awiti is also famous for his nickname 'Rabolo idho tek' ,a Luo phrase meaning its impossible to climb a banana plant.The banana plant being himself,the name is meant to warn his competitors that they are bound to lose to the opposition governor.
NASA presidential candidate Raila Amolo Odinga is also known for his many nicknames,attracting a few almost every election period.Odinga's supporters call him RAO,initials of his 3 names (also a Luo word for hippopotamus),Baba (father) probably because of his age,Jakom(Luo word for chairman beacuse he is considered the highest and most respected person among the Luo),Agwambo (the mysterious one) and Chuma Liet (Luo word for hot iron) because of the restlessness he has always caused for both the current and past regimes while in the opposition.