Kenya’s Social Media Buzzes with 'Hi Cousins' and 'Cuzo' — Here’s Why!

Kenya's social media scene has been alight with the phrases 'Hi Cousins' and 'Cuzo,' sparking memes and discussions across the X platform, formally Twitter.

This trending lingo isn't just a random slang adoption; it appears to have roots in a recent political discourse that has captivated the nation, particularly statements attributed to former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

These trending terms stem from remarks made by Gachagua during a recent political tour in the Coast region, where he was accompanied by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

While addressing the charged crowd on Saturday, Gachagua called for what he termed as unified force to defeat president Ruto in the 2027 polls, saying that his tribe and that of Kalonzo Musyoka together with the coastal tribes are one family, referring to the ties as cousins.

“Macuzoo mko? Sisi na wakamba waita wataveta mijikenda we are one family sisi ni cousins. And I want to tell these people of Kasongo, I saw you shouting that I am clinging to Kalonzo, and you even want to interfere in family matters,” Gachagua said to the charged crowd.

The core of the viral phenomenon seems to revolve around the idea of political families and alliances with former DP’s sentiment underscoring a narrative of unity among different groups, portraying them as "cousins" belonging to "one family".

Gachagua, a firm critic of president Ruto, warned him against trying to interfere with his newly found family of cousins.

“If someone talks to their cousins, is it wrong? You, Ruto, keep off family matters. Don't interfere in family matters... You have divided everyone, now you want to interfere in family matters. Should the cousins stay together, not to stay together?” Gachagua queried the crowd before greeting them, “Hi cousins?”

The combination of this politically charged, yet relatable, 'family' rhetoric from Gachagua seems to have resonated with Kenyans, especially on social media, with most of them creating memes with the “Hi cousins” caption across social media.