President William Ruto talked about his nicknames on Friday. He spoke at a funeral in Bungoma County. Many people have started calling him "Kasongo" and "Zakayo" lately.
Ruto said he likes the name Kasongo. It comes from a popular song. "That Kasongo song is good," he said. "Let's keep singing it."
Ruto also talked about being called Zakayo. This name comes from a Bible story. In the story, Jesus visits a tax collector named Zacchaeus.
Ruto said the name Zakayo fits him well. That's because his government wants to collect taxes. The taxes will help Kenya grow.
"Collecting taxes to develop Kenya is not bad," Ruto said. He added that Jesus visited Zakayo in the Bible story. "If you are not Zakayo, how will Jesus visit you?" he asked.
Ruto danced to the Kasongo song on New Year's Eve while attending a dinner in Kisii. Since then, many Kenyans have used the song to talk about him online.
The song is by a group called Super Mazembe. A man named Alley Katele wrote it long ago. He sang the main part, too.
The song is about a woman who wants her husband to come back home. But Kenyans have changed the words. They now use it to make fun of politicians.
Ruto seems to enjoy the attention. He told the people at the funeral not to worry. He is fine with his new nickname.
The funeral was for the mother of Moses Wetangula. Wetangula is the speaker of Kenya's parliament.
Ruto said he likes the name Kasongo. It comes from a popular song. "That Kasongo song is good," he said. "Let's keep singing it."
Ruto also talked about being called Zakayo. This name comes from a Bible story. In the story, Jesus visits a tax collector named Zacchaeus.
Ruto said the name Zakayo fits him well. That's because his government wants to collect taxes. The taxes will help Kenya grow.
"Collecting taxes to develop Kenya is not bad," Ruto said. He added that Jesus visited Zakayo in the Bible story. "If you are not Zakayo, how will Jesus visit you?" he asked.
Ruto danced to the Kasongo song on New Year's Eve while attending a dinner in Kisii. Since then, many Kenyans have used the song to talk about him online.
The song is by a group called Super Mazembe. A man named Alley Katele wrote it long ago. He sang the main part, too.
The song is about a woman who wants her husband to come back home. But Kenyans have changed the words. They now use it to make fun of politicians.
Ruto seems to enjoy the attention. He told the people at the funeral not to worry. He is fine with his new nickname.
The funeral was for the mother of Moses Wetangula. Wetangula is the speaker of Kenya's parliament.
