Politics of nicknames: From Riggy G to Abra K
The High Court's orders preventing CS Kithure Kindiki's swearing-in following Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment have led to divided legal opinions.
By the pronouncements of oaths office, Prof Abraham Kithure Kindiki, before a cheerful multitude, President William Ruto, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and his wife Dr Joyce Kithure, became the third deputy president of Kenya under the 2010 Constitution, and the 13th overall.
But even before his new position took full form, Prof Kindiki had earned a new identity on the national stage: “Abra K,” a nickname coined by President Ruto as casually as it was cheerfully embraced.
Unlike the former deputy’s nickname that was coined by a creative Kenyan who simply came up with the viral sensation out of wit and unexpectedly, Dr Ruto shortened Professor’s Christian name Abraham to Abra and retained the abbreviation “K” from either Kithure or Kindiki —and voila, “Abra K” was birthed.
Abra K now takes over from where Riggy G, who was impeached in October, left, with his own spin on the job and a new moniker.
Nicknames, of course, are a Kenyan political sport. In his heydays, the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua immediately transformed into “Riggy G”—a name that rolled off the tongue, an instant buzz and becoming more than a name but a character in our unfolding political saga.
With Riggy G out, Kenya eagerly turned its collective ear to President Ruto, waiting for the next alias to emerge, and with one quick phrase, the new DP was crowned “Abraham K” or simply, “Abra K”. Whether the name sticks or not is a different matter.
Behind this new alias is Prof Kindiki’s reputation as a quiet powerhouse —a steady figure with the cadence of a professor and the calm and intellect of a village elder.
Dedicated professional
For many Tharaka Nithi residents, Prof Kindiki is someone they either knew or felt they did; the son of a pastor and a man whose academic journey took him far beyond the county’s borders.
“I know him as a dedicated professional whose commitment to excellence has helped us overcome daunting challenges and as a tireless public servant on the path of national leadership,” President Ruto said, adding: “Prof Kindiki is also a patriot whose dedication to cohesion, national unity, and inclusivity is beyond reproach, an effective champion of peace and security across our country, and a loyal steward of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
Over the past two decades, Dr Ruto said he’s had the privilege of witnessing Prof Kindiki's work as a professor, litigation lawyer, consulting attorney, senator representing Tharaka-Nithi, Majority Leader of the Senate, and most recently, Cabinet Secretary.
“I can confirm that in all these roles, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication, high competence, and professionalism, consistently delivering results beyond expectations,” President Ruto said.
Unlike his predecessor, Abra K isn’t fond of grandstanding, nor does he possess Riggy G’s unapologetic bluntness. Instead, his style is about carefully chosen words, thoughtful pauses, and academic authority and an intellectual stance that contrasts with Gachagua’s tell-it-like-it-is approach.
Abra K, with his scholarly gravitas, might not be the sort to inspire memes quite like Riggy G. But the nickname might just stick, and if Kenyans have their say, “Abra K” could carry the same weight as the previous DP with a twist.
So, the nickname legacy continues. With Riggy G stepping offstage and Abra K taking his place, Kenyans have yet another emblem to rally around, meme about, and critique at every turn.
Politics, it seems, isn’t just a game of policies but a colorful tapestry woven with unforgettable nicknames that keep our leaders close to us —one alias at a time.
