Kabete MP and aspiring Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has officially adopted his popular nickname Babayao.

“Notice is given that by a deed poll dated 13 January, 2017, duly executed and registered in the Registry of Documents at Nairobi as Presentation No.1451, by our client, Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu Babayao, formerly known as Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu, formally and absolutely renounced and abandoned the use of his former name Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu,” the notice reads in part.

The notice further states that all persons at all times to designate and address him by his assumed name Ferdinand Ndung’u Waititu Babayao only.

The MP's supporters popularly refer to him as that and say he is the father of all city politicians.

IEBC strict guidelines

Waititu's move comes barely days after the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC) declared that aspirants vying for political seats in the upcoming August general elections will not be allowed to use nickname in their ballot papers.

Through it's official twitter account the electoral body disclosed only real names stated in the National Identity Cards or passports will be valid and therefore be listed in the ballot papers.

A number of aspirants especially in Nairobi and other major urban towns have embraced flashy and catchy nicknames in a bid to identify themselves to youth and women.

Politicians nicknames

Esther Passaris who is gunning for Nairobi gubernatorial seat likes to refer to herself as 'mama supuu' in a bid to identify with the young and trendy Nairobi voters.

Former Vitimbi actress, Eunice Wambui popularly known as Nyasuguta is also eyeing for the Embakasi south Parliamentary seat using her nickname Nyasuguta.

On her posters she proudly declares her interest for power under the catchy phrase, ‘Maendeleo na Nyasu’.

Nairobi women rep, Rachael Shebesh got elected to parliament by selling herself under the title ‘Manzi wa Nai’.

Nairobi flashy business woman Millicent Omanga alias ‘Msupa na works’  sells her agenda through the alias to appeals to youth and women emphasising  on her pretty  looks and how much she means business.

Karen Nyamu or “Bae wa Nai” (Nairobi's sweetheart) as she is commonly referred by her supporters is a lawyer on a mission to replace manzi wa Nai and her slogan Wakiliwa Watoto na Wamama.