A.K.A

They go by such names as Tony "the bull" Diarmato, or John "the mole" gottti. These are the Italian characters that hollywood brings to our screens. I always think that more than the plots the pseudo-names or A.KA 's are another big source of entertainment by itself and probably the main reason some of us watch these programmes. The more creative the names the better.

300miles from hollywood is Nairobi otherwise known as Nai. If it is something i find exceptional in kenyans is our ability to shorten, brand or give things or people aka.It is a phenomen everyone identifies with and if the names in this blog ring is to go by i can see the creativity still flourishes and is being exhibited with abandon.From past presidents Dan Toro-Moi, to present presidents Baks-Kibaki, to towns Naks-Nakuru, Eldy- Eldoret to my teacher Odero -Amuyunzu.A new kid in the estate for example was quickly given an aka barely weeks into their stay so that Alex becomes Aleky, Njoroge -Njosh, Wanjiru -Ciku and Onyango-Onyi. It is universaly agreed that it is appropriate,But these are just shortened forms of the names. The aka or "also known as" aspect is what is interesting.

Foreigners find it amusing that for a guy who never went to school a certain Kenyan musician was called professor while another national soccer star who i believe never held a hammer was affectionetly named fundi. My friend, lets call him Tom, a white american was amused we called other people doctor, professor and engineer without the said person ever having been in class.

We have a long history of pseuodnames or aka's with many examples abounding From the eccentric Raila Amolo "Tinga"- meaning THE TRACTOR, the intimidating Odongo Omamo "Kaliech"- meaning the elephant, the hilarious Agwhings Kodhek "chiedo mo"- meaning everyones cooking fat, the practical Charles Ongudi "Oningo"-meaning the ant, to the plain scary, Michuki "Kimendero" the crusher. Of course each attribute , be it an ants industry, or tractors durabilty or intimidating personality applies to the person.

All these pseudonames further indicate a characteristic considered amiable but further than that it indicates that thier characters are understood, recognised and being appreciated by the community. Most of the names are given by their peers and you do not name yourself otherwise it will be considered vain. I still enjoy watching the sopranos and other Italian family based dramas.My question therefore is it has been three years now, so what will Kibaki's peer call him as his pseudoname and most importantly, what name will Kenyans give him as an a.k.a?