Gusii Leaders Should Stop Using Smoke Signals And Embrace Technology

A number of Gusii Leaders have mastered the art of social media and are reaching out to their constituents through technology. However, a good number of leaders are still using “smoke signals”. No trace of social media accounts or digital vigilante team.

How can someone living in Gusii or outside the region, perhaps in Nairobi/ USA (Diaspora in General) get to know what’s happening on the ground?

Gusii Digital News has done a comprehensive report on the online presence of Gusii leaders and why the leaders should come into reality and embrace technology/Social media. 

Further, we highlight the role of social media in local politics and merits and demerits of the social media. 

Gusii Region has 2 counties, Kisii and Nyamira. The Kisii County has 9 constituencies and 45 wards while Nyamira has 4 Constituencies and 20 wards.

Gusii Digital News has done a comprehensive research on the role of social media in shaping local politics and how the Gusii leaders have embraced technology.

The report is based on the online presence of the respective leaders on social media (Facebook), and activities undertaken since they took oath of Office.

As per the research, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr.Fred Matiang’i was the most followed leader with over 1 million followers on twitter and 240k followers on Facebook. Matiang’i deactivated his social media accounts after the August general elections.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu despite holding a senior government position, has not yet established official social media platforms. 

Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi is the oldest user of social media. He joined Facebook on June 2007 and has 39,024 followers. 

Nominated MP Irene Mayaka is the second oldest user of social media. She joined Facebook on June 2008. She has a total of 31,683 followers. 

Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo joined Facebook on August 2008. He has a following of 2.5 followers.  Its worthy to note that the Legislature also has a Facebook page with a following of over 8,000 people. 

Kisii County Woman representative Dorice Aburi joined Facebook on August 2009 with a following of approximately 32,000 followers. She is followed closely by Senator Essy Okenyuri and Silvanus Osoro. The two joined Facebook on December 2009. However, Osoro has a following of 91,428  and Okenyuri, approximately 16,000 followers.

The rest of the leaders Gusii Digital News couldn’t establish when they joined Facebook.

Governor Simba Arati has approximately 65,000 followers,Governor Amos Nyaribo (11k Followers),MP Zaheer Jhanda (83,315 Followers), MP Japhet Nyakundi (12,488), and MP Stephen Mogaka (12k Followers).

Gusii Digital News couldn’t establish the authenticity of MPs Joash Nyamoko, Patrick Osero, Innocent Obiri, Daniel Manduku, and Senator Richard Onyonka Social media accounts. 

Further, Gusii Digital News didn’t find any account associated with Nyamira County woman representative Jerusha Momanyi and Senator Okong’o Omogeni.

Governor Simba Arati has attended approximately 39 meetings and presided over 2 National holidays; Mashujaa and Jamhuri Day Celebrations. 

Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo has held approximately 36 official meetings since he was Sworn in on 25th August 2022. As per the records, he hasn’t presided over any national event/ holiday. The Mashuja Day celebration was presided over by Roads Minister Jones Omwenga at Menyenya Primary Grounds.

Senator Essy Okenyuri is the most active leader on social media, both Facebook and twitter. Averagely, she does update her pages daily.  From the posts seen by Gusii Digital News, the Senator is on a mission to unite Kisii Youths. She has held a series of meetings with opinion and influential Youths from the region. 

In general, MP Silvanus Osoro is the most followed leader in Gusii Region with a following of 91,428 followers. 

Effects of social media Impersonation

Impersonation on social media can have serious consequences for individuals and organizations. Here are some potential effects of social media impersonation:

Reputational damage: If someone impersonates you or your organization on social media and posts inappropriate or false information, it can damage your reputation and trust among your followers and the general public.

Legal consequences: Depending on the nature of the impersonation, it may be illegal and you may be able to pursue legal action against the impersonator.

Emotional distress: Being impersonated on social media can be a stressful and upsetting experience, especially if the impersonator is posting harmful or malicious content.

Loss of control: When someone impersonates you on social media, they may post content or take actions that you would not normally do, leading to a loss of control over your online presence and reputation.

Overall, social media impersonation can have serious and potentially long-lasting consequences for individuals and organizations, and it is important to be vigilant and take steps to protect yourself and your reputation online. 


Role of social media in politics

Social media has played a significant role in politics in recent years. It has provided a platform for politicians to communicate with their constituents, campaign for office, and promote their policies and agendas.

One of the main ways that social media has impacted politics is by providing a direct line of communication between politicians and their constituents.

Many leaders have turned to platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share their message and connect with their followers.

One such leader who has made effective use of social media is Kisii County Governor Simba Arati. Since taking office in August 2022, Arati has used social media as a key channel for communication and engagement with the Kisii public.

He has a strong presence on platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where he regularly posts updates on his work.

Arati has also used social media to reach out to younger voters and engage with a wider audience.By using social media to humanize himself and connect with people on a more personal level, Arati has been able to build a strong following and cultivate a positive public image.

Another leader who has made effective use of social media is West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka. During his campaign ,Mogakaused social media to connect with voters and share his vision for the future. He has continued to use social media as a tool for communication and engagement since taking office, using platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share updates on his work and engage with his followers.

MPs Silvanus Osoro, Clive Gisairo,  Japhet Nyakundi, Anthony Kibagendi, and Dorice Aburi have embraced social media as the official channel of communication.

 
Role of Social Media in Local Politics

Social media has played a significant role in local politics in recent years. It has provided a platform for candidates to reach out to voters, campaign for office, and engage with their constituents.

Here are some ways in which social media has impacted local politics:

Campaigning: Social media has made it easier for candidates to reach out to voters and get their message across. Candidates can use social media to share their platform, engage with voters, and respond to questions and concerns.

Fundraising: Social media has also made it easier for candidates to raise money for their campaigns. Many candidates use social media to solicit donations and to build support for their campaigns.

Constituent engagement: Social media has also allowed elected officials to stay connected with their constituents and to keep them informed about what is happening in their community. Officials can use social media to share updates, listen to feedback, and engage with their constituents.

Grassroots organizing: Social media has also been used as a tool for grassroots organizing. Activists and community groups can use social media to mobilize support for local issues and to advocate for change.

Overall, social media has provided a new and powerful tool for local politicians and activists to engage with their communities and to promote their causes.

How leaders can connect to Youths through social media

There are several ways that leaders can connect with youth through social media:

Use social media platforms that are popular with young people: Different social media platforms have different demographics. For example, Instagram and TikTok tend to be more popular with young people, while Facebook and LinkedIn have an older user base. By using the platforms that young people are most likely to use, leaders can better connect with them.

Engage with young people on social media: Leaders can connect with youth by commenting on their posts, sharing their content, and responding to their messages. This can help to build trust and establish a relationship with young people.

Use social media to share information and resources: Leaders can use social media to share valuable information and resources with young people. This can include articles, videos, and other materials that are relevant to their interests and needs.

Encourage young people to participate in social media discussions: Leaders can use social media to facilitate discussions and encourage young people to share their thoughts and ideas. This can help to create a sense of community and give young people a platform to have their voices heard.

Show authenticity and vulnerability: Leaders can use social media to share their own experiences and challenges, which can help to establish trust and authenticity with young people. It’s important to be genuine and not try to present a perfect image, as young people often respond well to authenticity and vulnerability.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Politicians Having Social Media Platforms

There are both advantages and disadvantages to politicians having social media platforms.

Advantages:

Social media platforms can be an effective way for politicians to communicate with their constituents and the public at large. They can share their thoughts and views, as well as updates on their work and activities.

Social media platforms can also be a useful tool for politicians to connect with voters and get their message out to a larger audience. They can use social media to engage with people, answer their questions, and build a following.

Social media platforms can also be a useful way for politicians to gauge public opinion and get feedback on their policies and actions.

Disadvantages:

Social media platforms can be a breeding ground for misinformation and fake news. Politicians may face criticism or backlash if they share inaccurate information or make controversial statements on social media.

Social media platforms can also be a distraction for politicians. They may spend too much time on social media, rather than focusing on their work and duties.

Social media platforms can also be a source of personal attacks and criticism for politicians. They may face online abuse or harassment, which can be damaging to their reputation and personal well-being.

Social media platforms can also be a source of personal and professional scandal for politicians. They may face criticism or backlash if they post inappropriate or offensive content on social media.

In conclusion, it’s time for Gusii Leaders to embrace technology and invest in social media. Let them hire competent individuals to run their social media platforms. 

Disclaimer: The Above article is meant for informative purposes only. For an queries contact us on Digitalgusii@gmail.com or +254705497657