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El Chapo & Deputy Jesus - why Kenya's president has so many nicknames

Basillioh Rukanga
BBC News, Nairobi
Reuters Kenya's President William Ruto in a black suit and white shirtReuters

Kenya's President William Ruto is a man of many nicknames.

El Chapo, Kasongo, Hustler, Deputy Jesus and Chicken Seller are just some that he has acquired in recent years.

As is often the case when people are given alternative monikers, some are affectionate but some are intended to mock, while others reflect a profound anger.

A history of the president's aliases offer a window into how the perception of him has changed.

Ruto has acknowledged the rechristening trend, joking recently that Kenyans are "finishing" him with the numerous labels.

"You have given me so many names. I had the name William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto. You added Survivor… Zakayo... now you are at Kasongo [the title of a Congolese song about abandonment and heartbreak]. Will you stop at 10, or should I prepare for more":[]}