How Tweets Weathered Heavy Political Storm

Most Kenyans used the social media to call for peace and patience as the country awaited for the presidential polls announcement which took longer than expected.

BY SYLVIAH WAKHISI
MONDAY, 11 MARCH, 2013

It is exactly one week since Kenyans came out in large numbers to vote for the country’s fourth president. Unlike the previous elections, this was more of a historical election, being the first under the new constitution. On March 4th, the world was keenly watching as the events unfolded. As Kenyans voted, one thing stood out-the zeal to maintain peace during and after the elections.

Even before the elections, there were calls for peace both locally and internationally. Various artists and celebrities who are enthusiastic about peace came out in large numbers to launch peace campaigns in various parts of the country. Religious leaders also called for peace. Kenyans were eager to avoid a repeat of the last election, in December 2007, when the nation plunged into ethnic violence after the results were disputed, and almost ruining one of the peace loving nations.

What has even stood out was how thousands of Kenyans on social media such as facebook and twitter spread messages of peace and urging every individual to stay calm. Minute after minute, peace messages were doing rounds on these sites. Here are some of the sampled ones before the presidential results were announced. “I am so proud of my fellow Kenyan citizens. The patience, peace, love and unity as one. A lot of patriotism been portrayed all around our beautiful country.

Remember at the end of the day we will be working as one in our day to day life. So maintain the peace my good people. I love Kenya.”Agnes Wanjiru. “Even if things don’t unfold the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end. The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful country called Kenya, I walk in peace.

With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms. With each step, i smile because we love our country. With this love,let us maintain peace and extend the handshake of love to each other as we wait for the results .God bless you all. God bless the people of Kenya. “ IVY on twitter,”Kenyans!we should be defined by our peace commitment during this critical period.

Kenyans we will Make it with Love ,Silence every other contrary Voice ,Love your Voter “Neighbour” as you Love yourself #KOT, #Ballot2013. The media was also commended for the role it played in ensuring that peace was maintained as the results were been awaited. “The Media has been a great ambassador of peace so far.

Calling people to calm and being sensitive to what they say and publish. This is commendable!” read another post on facebook. Pages to promote peace were also created on facebook and this included “Kenyans for peace during and after the 2013 general elections” and “I support peace in Kenya after elections and forever.”

The I AM KENYAN project was also at the forefront with calls for peace right before the elections. The project brought together persons from all over the world including Kenyans through photography to promote peace and unity during the 2013 Kenyan elections. The project worked by encouraging every individual to take a photo of themselves on a plain background with the word,” I AM KENYAN” written in any language anywhere in the picture making a funny, happy or silly expression.

The pictures would then be blown to black and white posters that would be plastered on public walls all over the country. The I AM KENYAN PROJECT aims to promote peace and patriotism and show that photography is a powerful story teller and when Kenyans, both locally and in the Diaspora, come together to tell of and confirm their identity through this powerful platform, a strong message is sent to the Kenyan public encouraging them to see themselves as Kenyans before identifying themselves ethnically. In all these, every Kenyan is determined to let peace prevail. “Let peace prevail. KenyaKwanza.