KENYAN POLITICIANS ON FACEBOOK

With 2012 around the corner, politicians have now taken their battle to social media. By their numbers, they are taking facebook by storm and are most probably competing for the largest fan base. Perhaps they learnt a lesson or two from Obama's 2008 presidential campaign or they have realised the number of votes laying idle in facebook and twitter.

Martha Karua is probably one of the first politicians in the country to realize the potential in facebook. She is also known to be one of the most active politician in the social media. She will be remembered for facebooking while she was on the podium during the promulgation of the new constitution. At the time of posting this article, she has 133,541 likes on facebook and most probably the most liked. She is also lucky to have acquired her real name as the facebook user name before an impersonator did it. Her link is http://facebook.com/MarthaKarua


Raila Odinga is another politician who has taken politics to facebook.  The only problem with the |Railas in facebook is the fact that it is not clear who is in fact the real Raila Odinga. One of calls himself public figure and is actually the one with the most likes standing at 66,049. The other who is the most active and ranks higher than the 'public figure' calls himself politician and has 34,002 likes at the time of posting this. Here are the links to the two.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raila-Odinga/15869533101
http://www.facebook.com/OdingaRaila

Uhuru Kenyatta is also on facebook and has a very substantial fan base standing at 71,908. He recently used the platform to ask for budget suggestion and also to mourn the death of Samuel Wanjiru. He also posts photos of his rallies and of late campaigns in Kamukunji. Here is his link.
http://www.facebook.com/myuhurukenyatta


Kalonzo musyoka has not been left behind and has of late been very active on facebook. He has also given a very comprehensive bio on his info page and has provided numerous links to his many websites and blogs.He has 12,996 likes at the time of posting this. Here is his link.
http://www.facebook.com/kalonzomusyoka

Peter Kenneth's page on facebook is very well maintained and customized with his twitter account. His info page is also well fed and that's where you find out that he 'likes' churchill. He currently has 35,456 likes. His link is.
http://www.facebook.com/honpeterkenneth

William Ruto may pass as the most inactive politician on facebook. His wall is actually filled by fans comments and he rarely posts anything. But the kkk could not pass him without him asking his fans their opinion and over 2000 came by. His inactiveness hasn't  prevented him from bagging 45,249 likes. His link.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/WILLIAM-SAMOEI-RUTO/52338561294
Other politicians on facebook include:

Najib Balala: 16,007 likes..
http://www.facebook.com/najibbalala?ref=ts

 Mike Sonko: 46,911 likes..
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Sonko/148950081810015

William Kabogo: 2,217 likes..
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hon-William-Kabogo-Gitau/104077116321957

Ali Hassan Joho: 4,716 friends..
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1436155580

Some of the politicians might have opened normal facebook accounts where your number of friends is limited and thus not featured here. Overall this is the list of the politicians in the order of the most followed first.

1. Martha Karua          133,541  likes
2. Uhuru Kenyatta           71,908  likes
3. Raila  Odinga               66,049 likes
4. Mike Sonko                 46,911 likes
5. William Ruto                 45,259 likes
6. Peter Kenneth               35,456 likes
7. Najib Balala                  16,007 likes
8. Kalonzo Musyoka         12,996 likes
9. Musalia Mudavadi           4,951  friends *
10.Ali Hassan Joho              4,716 friends  *

* Unconfirmed identity.