[dropcap]N[/dropcap]icknames are unavoidable. At some point we reject them, and sometimes we like them if they favour us. But have you ever imagined that you can turn your nickname into something constructive? Below are some people who have reaped big from their nicknames:
IRIA: Murang’a Governor Francis Mwangi capitalised on his nickname to win elections in 2013. His official name is Francis Mwangi. As New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (New KCC), Mwangi is largely credited with the revival of the giant public owned milk-processing firm, and was nicknamed Iria, which means milk in the local dialect. Many in the county knew him as Mwangi Iria, the man who had helped revive KCC. That name played a big part in helping him win the election. He has adopted it as his official name.
WAMATANGI: Still in politics, Paul Kimani was f******g a scary w*r against billionaire Stanley Githunguri for the Kiambu senatorial seat. Although Kimani was running on The N***************e (TNA), he faced a big hurdle especially from the free-spending Githunguri who had publicly announced a Sh2 billion full throttle campaign. But 41-year-old Kimani is well known by many women and young people for helping them acquire water storage tanks and he pulled a smart move by having his name extended to Paul Kimani Wamatangi. The name resonated amongst many voters especially the women. Wamatangi means ‘of the tanks’, which was given to him by women.
“Wamatangi was a brand name whose effect only a fool could ignore in this election,” says Raphael Kigochi from Ngewa in Githunguri.
MWALIMU KING’ANG’I: In the field of comedy, Daniel Ndambuki alias Churchill adopted the nickname ‘Mwalimu King’ang’i’ for his show with Maina Kageni on Classic 105. In the show, he took a ‘teaching’ role on the show advocating for amorous men and women, hence Mwalimu King’ang’i. Mwalimu is a Swahili word for teacher while King’ang’i is the Kamba name for crocodile, which captured his devil’s advocate stance on relationships.
Ndambuki also adopted his stage nickname Churchill from Sir Winston Churchill, a British statesman who led Britain to win many wars against their enemies, including Adolf H****r. He is regarded to be among the most influential persons in British History. Through the TV show, which entails stand-up comedy, Churchill (Ndambuki) has assisted many comedians including the Omondi brothers (Eric and Fred).
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He is an Icon of Kenyan comedy and has over time become a household name. He is rated number 14 among Kenya’s 100 most influential people. He has nurtured and created his own characteristic brand of stand-up comedy. CNN recently classified him as one Africa’s funniest comedians
NYAYO: After taking over from the founding father of the nation Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi came up with the Nyayo Philosophy. This simply meant following in the footsteps of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Nyayo is a Swahili word for footsteps. This, however, became his nickname in the political arena, and he liked it eventually. He even used it to gunner political mileage in political rallies and it really worked magic. Up to the time of his retirement, Moi was still popular by his nickname ‘Nyayo’ and many children born during the Nyayo era were named Nyayo.
GHOST: In the world of football, Jacob Mulee alias ‘Ghost’ has become a household name in Kenya. Many know him by his nickname ‘Ghost’ which he acquired from his football career. As he explains, he got the name from his goalkeeping theatrics that saw him save goals. Coincidentally, he shared the name with a Zambian goalkeeper Ghost Mulenga. ‘Ghost’ has grown in his football career as a striker, goalkeeper and a coach best known by his nickname. After retiring from active football, the he never abandoned the nickname, instead he is using it as a brand in his new profession as a radio presenter. He co-hosts a breakfast show at Radio Jambo with Joseph Gidi, known as Gidi Na Ghost Asubuhi.
JUA CALI: Paul Julius Nunda, better known by his stage nickname Jua Cali, is a Kenyan hip-hop artist. His stage name Jua Cali, is derived from California, an estate in Nairobi (as is the name of Calif Records). It also resembles Jua Kali, a Swahili term meaning hot sun, which has been taken to refer to Kenya’s informal sector of the economy. In 2000, together with record producer Clemo, he founded Calif Records where he has been ever since. Jua Cali performs in Swahili and Sheng in a popular Kenyan style of rapping called Genge. In August 2007, he was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper.
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SONKO: Last but not least is Gideon Mbuvi, popularly known as Mike Sonko, Nairobi’s current Senator and now an aspirant in Nairobi’s gubernatorial seat. Sonko is a name derived from the Kenyan Sheng’ language to insinuate a wealthy or classy person. His flashy lifestyle especially among the youths has earned him the name Sonko, which has finally become a household name in the Kenyan political arena. To prove its worth, Mbuvi changed his identity card name from Gideon Mbuvi to Mike Sonko. In fact, very few of those who voted him know his original name. Most of them know him by the nickname Sonko.
Others who have benefited from their nicknames include Kenyan Pop artist David Mathenge, better known by his stage name Nameless and Mwanaisha Abdala (Nyota Ndogo). Former minister Nicholas Biwott was nicknamed Total Man, from the way he would honour his pledge and deal with his enemies. He used it to gain political capital from the reverence that the name created around his personality.
Any other people you think have turned their nicknames into an asset? Scroll down and share your ideas.
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