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Letter from Kenya: Too busy tweeting to vote? | Letter from Kenya: Too busy tweeting to vote? |
(2 months later) | |
In our series of viewpoints from African journalists, Kenfrey Kiberenge considers whether middle class Kenyans' Twitter habitat impedes their attendance at the ballot box. | In our series of viewpoints from African journalists, Kenfrey Kiberenge considers whether middle class Kenyans' Twitter habitat impedes their attendance at the ballot box. |
On 19 January, a Kenyan name was the top trending topic on Twitter. The name - "Waititu" - belongs to a shrewd Kenyan politician. | On 19 January, a Kenyan name was the top trending topic on Twitter. The name - "Waititu" - belongs to a shrewd Kenyan politician. |
His full name is Ferdinand Waititu and he is the former member of parliament for Embakasi, a constituency in the capital, Nairobi. | His full name is Ferdinand Waititu and he is the former member of parliament for Embakasi, a constituency in the capital, Nairobi. |
On the said date, political parties were holding their primaries to nominate candidates to vie for various positions for the general election on 4 March. | On the said date, political parties were holding their primaries to nominate candidates to vie for various positions for the general election on 4 March. |
With the presidential line-up having already been decided in boardrooms, the main focus on these primaries was on a new and powerful position of governors. | With the presidential line-up having already been decided in boardrooms, the main focus on these primaries was on a new and powerful position of governors. |
A governor will be akin to a chief executive officer of the newly established counties. | A governor will be akin to a chief executive officer of the newly established counties. |
And being the capital of one of Africa's most burgeoning economies, Nairobi governor is among the most appealing positions on offer. | And being the capital of one of Africa's most burgeoning economies, Nairobi governor is among the most appealing positions on offer. |
The two leading political parties - Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's The National Alliance (TNA) - were the main contenders. | The two leading political parties - Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's The National Alliance (TNA) - were the main contenders. |
For the ODM, a deal was struck a day before, handing the ticket to Evans Kidero, the former boss of a Kenyan sugar company. | For the ODM, a deal was struck a day before, handing the ticket to Evans Kidero, the former boss of a Kenyan sugar company. |
For the TNA, the contest was between Mr Waititu and Jimnah Mbaru. | For the TNA, the contest was between Mr Waititu and Jimnah Mbaru. |
Two days before the primaries, Mr Mbaru, who used to head the Nairobi Securities Exchange, released his impressive 37-page curriculum vitae on social media. | Two days before the primaries, Mr Mbaru, who used to head the Nairobi Securities Exchange, released his impressive 37-page curriculum vitae on social media. |
In contrast, Mr Waititu, a streetwise politician who has been caught on camera roughing up people and throwing stones at police, even had a hard time proving that his degree certificate was indeed his. | In contrast, Mr Waititu, a streetwise politician who has been caught on camera roughing up people and throwing stones at police, even had a hard time proving that his degree certificate was indeed his. |
In the following days, most Twitter and Facebook users across the political divide argued that the tech-savvy Mr Mbaru deserved the TNA ticket to go against ODM's equally tech-savvy Mr Kidero. | In the following days, most Twitter and Facebook users across the political divide argued that the tech-savvy Mr Mbaru deserved the TNA ticket to go against ODM's equally tech-savvy Mr Kidero. |
This way, whatever the outcome during the general election, Nairobi would be in safe hands. | This way, whatever the outcome during the general election, Nairobi would be in safe hands. |
On nomination day, though, Mr Mbaru lost to Mr Waititu by more than 11,000 votes. | On nomination day, though, Mr Mbaru lost to Mr Waititu by more than 11,000 votes. |
Many Nairobians were outraged and took to social media to ventilate. | Many Nairobians were outraged and took to social media to ventilate. |
That is how Mr Waititu's name ended up trending on Twitter. | That is how Mr Waititu's name ended up trending on Twitter. |
But the reason why Twitter's favourite candidate lost is pretty simple. | But the reason why Twitter's favourite candidate lost is pretty simple. |
Those who vouched for Mr Mbaru on social media were nowhere near the polling stations. | Those who vouched for Mr Mbaru on social media were nowhere near the polling stations. |
Craze for shopping malls | Craze for shopping malls |
Traditionally, most people in Kenya's growing middle class do not participate in party primaries. | Traditionally, most people in Kenya's growing middle class do not participate in party primaries. |
The nomination rules dictate that one must be a registered party member to participate. | The nomination rules dictate that one must be a registered party member to participate. |
Since political parties are fashioned along ethnic lines - and because the middle class do not want to be branded as tribal - they often refuse to register as party members. | Since political parties are fashioned along ethnic lines - and because the middle class do not want to be branded as tribal - they often refuse to register as party members. |
On the flipside, those in poorer communities do not mind being party members. | On the flipside, those in poorer communities do not mind being party members. |
The poor will also endure extreme weather conditions to nominate their preferred candidate. | The poor will also endure extreme weather conditions to nominate their preferred candidate. |
Often, the bait is a few hundred Kenyan shillings (up to £3.80; $5.80), which would not excite the middle class. | Often, the bait is a few hundred Kenyan shillings (up to £3.80; $5.80), which would not excite the middle class. |
Those in the middle class will often give up after a few minutes and then tweet their frustration from the comfort of their living rooms or offices. | Those in the middle class will often give up after a few minutes and then tweet their frustration from the comfort of their living rooms or offices. |
Unlike the general election, the nomination day is not a public holiday. | Unlike the general election, the nomination day is not a public holiday. |
It would seem absurd to seek a day off to participate in party primaries. | It would seem absurd to seek a day off to participate in party primaries. |
This is not the case with the poor, most of them unemployed. | This is not the case with the poor, most of them unemployed. |
To be fair, though, most in the middle class are registered voters and will take part in the general election. | To be fair, though, most in the middle class are registered voters and will take part in the general election. |
However, the candidates will have already been sieved at the party primaries and their natural first choices might be missing from the ballot papers. | However, the candidates will have already been sieved at the party primaries and their natural first choices might be missing from the ballot papers. |
The argument in some quarters is that the middle class in Kenya is so small it cannot fundamentally affect the outcome of the nomination. | The argument in some quarters is that the middle class in Kenya is so small it cannot fundamentally affect the outcome of the nomination. |
A critical assessment of the situation on the ground, however, paints a slightly different picture. | A critical assessment of the situation on the ground, however, paints a slightly different picture. |
Nairobi has been hit by a craze for shopping malls, coffee houses, top-of-the-range vehicles as well as trendy social events. | Nairobi has been hit by a craze for shopping malls, coffee houses, top-of-the-range vehicles as well as trendy social events. |
These are the symbols of a growing middle class, says Nairobi economist X N Iraki. | These are the symbols of a growing middle class, says Nairobi economist X N Iraki. |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) defines the middle class as anyone spending between 23,670 Kenyan shillings ($275; £175) and 199,999 shillings per month. | The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) defines the middle class as anyone spending between 23,670 Kenyan shillings ($275; £175) and 199,999 shillings per month. |
A 2011 report by the bureau showed that the country's middle class made up 24% of the population - up from 19% in 2007. | A 2011 report by the bureau showed that the country's middle class made up 24% of the population - up from 19% in 2007. |
The elite - spending more than 200,000 shillings a month - counted for 3.6% from 1%. | The elite - spending more than 200,000 shillings a month - counted for 3.6% from 1%. |
This leaves the remaining 72.4% in the working class. | This leaves the remaining 72.4% in the working class. |
Like the rest of Africa, life in Kenya is getting better each year but how it translates to stronger and equally representative political participation on 4 March and in years to come is a good question. | Like the rest of Africa, life in Kenya is getting better each year but how it translates to stronger and equally representative political participation on 4 March and in years to come is a good question. |
When will the two divides meet or find that common ground, whether it be on Twitter or on the streets? | When will the two divides meet or find that common ground, whether it be on Twitter or on the streets? |
Hopefully soon - because not only does Kenya need it, but it deserves it as well. | Hopefully soon - because not only does Kenya need it, but it deserves it as well. |
Kenfrey Kiberenge is a Kenyan journalist and recipient of the 2012 David Astor Journalism Award | Kenfrey Kiberenge is a Kenyan journalist and recipient of the 2012 David Astor Journalism Award |