Gone are the days when pressing issues of public interest were swept under the carpet by the top bosses. By the time the general public got updated on what went down, it would already be too late to do anything but shrug it off. The uproar of a selected view would barely scrape the tip of the ice. Most people relied on information relayed to them the main stream media. Whatever did not make the News wasn't news.
Then came change. August 23, 2007, the idea of #hashtag was born.
One Chris Messina (@chrismesinna) tweeted:
"How do you feel about using # (pound) for groups. As in #barcamps [msg]?"
Thereafter, live tweeting was picked up by twitter users world wide as a media for one on one conversations. It enabled a user to be part of any conversation no matter where they're from. Twitter Trends have over time been used for social media marketing, creation of fan bases by celebrities, expression of solidarity during hard times and most importantly a tool for advocating for rights on social injustices. In that respect twitter trend helped voice out cases that would otherwise never see the light of day.
My personal favorite are the Kenyans on Twitter (#KOT ). #KOT can rain a glorious experience on a target. And that is when they are having a good day. Hit them where it hurts and a spurge of angry, mocking, and not so mildly sarcastic outburst in tweets will make your day. The most recent thrush was directed at CNN via the #SomeoneTellCNN when they back-lashed at the international news broadcaster for terming Kenya as 'a hotbed of terror'. Kenyans were determined not to stop until they got an apology. The trend was picked up by a few people internationally. Later, CNN changed the headline expressing that; 'the terror issue was a regional one, and not Kenya's only'. The content of international media goes a long way to mold perceptions about individual states. Such publications are injurious even though that might not be the message intended to be sent.
Then there was #Justice4BusiaKids. Twenty nine (29) kids were left paralyzed after wrongful administration of injections by persons who were not trained specialists. A question of ignorance and negligence. Some were allegedly injected while standing!! Is this the scenario, someone wakes up one morning and decides he or she is going to start practicing medicine after being around the hospital for a couple of years. Carelessly administers drugs. Hits sensitive nerves and leaves children worse than they were. Walk away from "a long work" day and go home happy? Not on #KOT's watch you don't! The responsible culprits were suspended and are under investigation by the Nursing Council of Kenya. The children were brought to Nairobi for treatment at no cost until they regain full function of their legs. This case put some spotlight on the quality of training of nurses countrywide and how medical malpractices ought to be handled.
In this virtual fight on social media, no personality is spared. From international bodies, private citizens, journalist, celebrities to some of the top notch local companies like Nakumatt and Safaricom. #NakumattOnTrial when a shopper was assaulted by a cashier over price discrepancy at the Nakumatt Ukay supermarket. This quickly hit the Hashtag Nation and Consumer Federation of Kenya took up the matter demanding compensation for direct and consequential costs to consumers, forensic audit of Nakumatt billing and pricing system integrity and an apology.
In #SomeoneTellMoiUniversity students of one of the best Kenyan universities took to twitter when studies were suspended indefinately and they were told to leave the campus after protests over the student governing council election that had ensued. Each of the close to 12000 student was allegedly required to pay Ksh 1000 fine to cover costs of damages done during the protests. Their line of argument was that "window panes do not cost a whooping 12 million)
#1MilliforJadudi was for a different cause. Kenyan tweeters came together in solidarity and raised over Ksh 6 million for a brain tumor patient in 2 days. Emmanuel Jadudi (@jadudi) a University student needed Ksh 1 million for his 4th surgery in India but was all out of finances. Bikozulu & Zawadi Nyong'o were among the first people to start the trend that will help fund Mr. Jadudi's Medical Finances. Awareness for the fight against brain cancer was also created. We all wish him well.
The hashtag #WeAreOneKenya seen once too often especially when terror hit various parts of the country. This trend helped spread the message of togetherness, support & oneness during trying times. Even diverse hit could not deter us from showing the world that all intentions meant to divide Kenyan only brings us together. It continues to be used everyday to share inspirational messeges of peace, diversity, innovations, love and unity.
The truth is twitter has been a resourceful platform for information in this age and era. It is not going away any time soon. And neither is TT, nor Facebook and Instagram. Not to mention the veracious community that is #KOT. So much so that when something gains momentum on one social media platform the rest quickly pick up, spreading the message across all networks. I wouldn't finish listing every #hashtag that had an impact on peoples live even if I wanted to. Thats just the power of a hushtag nation!
