By Billy Gichohi
Kenyans stand out in Africa for their exceptionally imaginative social media banter, blending humour, satire and cultural nuance with remarkable creativity. Platforms such as Twitter (notably #KOT—Kenyans on Twitter) and Facebook buzz with viral memes, witty hashtags, and sharp political commentaries bare it all time and again.
The online content produced by Kenyans often mixes Kiswahili, Sheng and English, creating a distinct but easily relatable flavour. For instance, some prominent political figures are presented as humorous memes, while societal issues are dissected through satirical skits, as witnessed during elections or scandals like #SomeoneTellCNN. The dexterity in language usage and cultural specificity make Kenyan banter in social media uniquely resonant.
Compared to other countries in South Africa, Kenya’s social media landscape is more satirical and politically charged. While Nigeria’s #NaijaTwitter thrives on playful rivalry and pop culture South African social media excels in meme culture while Kenyans weaponise humour in unique ways to navigate social tensions or make sharp-witted political commentary.
High Internet penetration, a youthful population, and tech-savvy communities amplify this creativity making it more noticeable across the continent. In fact, Kenya’s rapid trendsetting and audacious commentary cements her reputation as Africa’s social media humour powerhouse, often setting trends and garnering global attention.
While the aforementioned may be so, there are online discussions in Kenya that defy common sense. Some recent permutations on how the 2027 political landscape might look like in Kenya are downright absurd.
One of those would-be formations suggests that a ticket between ousted Deputy President Riggy G and former Interior Minister in Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration one Dr Fred Matiang’i is an early morning winner. Personally, I think this is rather far-fetched. And I will tell you why.
Matiang’i, for all his pomposity, compares with Riggy G on a single attribute – the gift of the gab. Truth be told, the duo is gifted with storytelling skills. But while that is a notable distinction in this day and age of content creation, I doubt there is more to it for the good of hardcore nation building. Therefore, if an unlikely miracle places the two in high office in 2027, Kenyans and the rest of the world would be in for good entertainment by consummate wordsmiths and accomplished court jesters.
Before we go any further, let us unpack Matiang’i with what we remember him for during his hey day as the so-called supper CS in the previous administration. For those in my generation who enjoyed watching cartoons, if you recall Matiang’i puff and poise you easily see Johnny Bravo. If you have forgotten, Johnny Bravo is the muscle-bound cartoon playboy and a cringe-inducing relic of the machismo of the 90s. With his pompadour and voice mimicking Elvis on helium, he is a walking parody of toxic vanity. His “alpha male” shtick reeks of delusion and veiled desperation for public veneration.
Utterly narcissistic, Johnny Bravo mistakes flexing for charisma and brute strength for charm, embodying a comically shallow take on masculinity. While intended as satire, Johnny Bravo’s antics are more pathetic than humorous, itself a testament to out-dated chest thumping where ego eclipses self-awareness. Not exactly a role model. And so is yours truly! If you close your eyes for a minute and imagine Riggy G as head cook and Matiang’i as his assistant what else do you see in the horizon other than heaps of verbiage and hollow pageantry?
Gichohi is an aspiring politician currently working for a Nairobi-based international organisation that supports small-scale farmers undertaking transformative farming projects in East Africa.
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