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A new buzzword—“Cuzo”—is making waves on Kenyan social media, and it all began at a roadside political rally.
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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua introduced the term, a casual spin on “cousin,” while addressing supporters during a campaign tour of the Coast alongside fellow opposition leaders.
During a stop in Kasemeni, Kwale County, Gachagua fired up the crowd by repeatedly asking, “Makuzo mko hamko?” (Are my cousins here or not?), likening his political coalition—featuring Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa—to a family get-together.
That lighthearted moment quickly went viral and has since sparked a wave of memes, captions, and jokes on X (formerly Twitter). The term “Cuzo” is now being used widely as a humorous and informal way to refer to friends, allies, or people with shared goals or values.
Some social media users are ending videos with “Hi cousins,” while others use the phrase in group photos or romantic posts.
Commenting on the trend, X user Brian Osoro noted, “Kenyans are great at turning political soundbites into cultural moments. When leaders speak in a relatable, funny way, it sticks.”
Kenya’s political arena has long been a source of trending phrases and slang, and “Cuzo” is the latest to join that tradition.
Whether used in jest or in solidarity, “Hi cousins” and “Cuzo” have become part of Kenya’s 2025 political and pop culture lexicon.
As Gachagua summed it up in his speech: “Hi cousins, hi macuzo… the time for like-minded cousins with shared traditions to unite is now.”
