As the day winds down, Kenya’s online space is full of heated conversations. From a growing social media campaign urging young people to take civic action beyond hashtags and timelines, to fresh turbulence within the Jubilee Party following leadership changes that have sparked online backlash, today’s digital conversations reflect a country deeply engaged with its politics.
At the same time, President William Ruto’s NYOTA program continues to shape national discourse, drawing a mix of optimism and skepticism as some Kenyans dare to imagine a path toward a first-world future under his administration.
Here are some of the topics driving conversations this evening
DearVoter
A social media civic education campaign by the first Taita Taveta Woman Rep Joyce Wanjaka Lay where she is pushing citizens to use their voice beyond social media leads the top 10 trends.
She has urged Kenyans to attend public Barazas, read budgets and demand accountability and performance from the leaders over slogans and tribal rhetoric.
The hashtag is trending alongside #CivicEducation and #JoyceLay which are second and third in the trending list.
“Staying quiet in the face of poor leadership allows incompetence to thrive. Speak up, demand accountability and protect your community,” she is quoted saying.
NYOTAinMeru
President William Ruto today disbursed Sh168 million worth of business startup grants to 6720 youths from Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi at Kinoru stadium under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
“The NYOTA project is a classic example of how Government can be run efficiently through transparency, integrity and accountability. Through this transformative and corruption-free programme, we are creating employment, fostering entrepreneurship, and instilling a saving culture in our young people,” Dr Ruto shared.
The programme is designed to tackle unemployment and expand economic opportunities for young Kenyans, especially those with limited formal education or under employed.
TunaskiaFitiSasa
Swahili for “We feel good now”, the hashtag is being used by Kenyans online to express optimism and celebrate positive vibes or situations.
It’s appearing in conversations where people are expressing satisfaction and is trending alongside #ResultsSpeak which is sixth in the list, showing some of the traction could be tied to reaction about government programs and services or even promises.
ResultsSpeak
The hashtag is being used to highlight the success behind President William Ruto’s affordable housing program which is being likened to those in Singapore.
It’s trending alongside #MaishaLondon.
“Kenya’s affordable housing program is transforming lives by moving families from informal settlements to fully serviced homes,” Terry Hillary shared.
SingaporeReceipts
The more often President William Ruto mentions Singapore in his speeches, the more it drives conversations online.
Kenyans are now sharing pictures of the affordable housing projects as a testament that Kenya is headed towards becoming as prosperous as Singapore.
RutoLovesYouth
President William Ruto Thursday assured of his administration’s commitment to offering jobs to unemployed youth.
He said 530, 000 Kenyans had left to work abroad under Kazi Majuu program in the last three years with 300-500 leaving daily. Some 500, 000 more earning a living from the ongoing affordable housing program and 300, 000 more are working in the digital space though the ICT and Jitume labs.
JeremiahKioni
The former Jubilee Party Secretary General has been ‘demoted’ to Deputy Party leader in charge of Operations.
He has been replaced by former Narok North MP Richard Ole Kenta.
A party’s error on a poster listing Kenta as a former Kajiado North MP has drawn mockery from critics.
