Tweeps, Trends and Tags That Defined 2016

They are known as the Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) and whose power cannot be disputed. On Twitter, they furiously engage. Positively. Negatively. Intelligently. Stupidly.

On Facebook, they deeply engrossed in sharing and commenting on videos both local and nationally and on Whatsapp, more like the confidant father, they share their heart most felt feelings. A place they think they will find solace. Soul mates and at the same time it is a place where they source for information to leak to other social spaces.

Instagram for Kenyans is a place where they gain bragging rights for the places visited, food eaten a place they floss with their new dressings among other social aspects that will make them gain more double taps or followers.

It is this ferocious power that KOT or Kenyans on Social media wield that forced the Kenyan government to deport Koffi Olomide, one of Africa’s most popular musicians, physically assaulting a woman at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport using #KoffiOlomideDeported

A quick look at the facts will perhaps help to understand these different scenarios before we get to the winners and losers for 20166.

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) Telecommunications Sector statistics for Q2 of 2016, mobile subscriptions rose by 3.7 percent to 39.7 million from 38.3 million registered in the previous quarter hence achieving a 10 percent year to year growth with mobile penetration increasing by 0.9 percent to 90 percent from 89.2 percent registered in the previous quarter.

The total number of Short Messaging Service (SMS) sent during the quarter increased significantly by 78.5 percent to 11.6 billion messages from 6.5 billion registered in the last quarter.

Internet subscriptions grew by 8.2% to 26.8 million during the quarter under review up from 24.8 million subscriptions recorded last quarter. This represents an increase of 35% compared to the 19.9 million subscriptions reported during the previous year.

The number of broadband subscriptions in Kenya increased remarkably by 36.7% per cent during the quarter to reach 10.8 million subscriptions up from 7.9 million subscriptions recorded in the preceding quarter resulting in broadband penetration of 24.5%.

Further, the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) State of the Internet in Kenya 2016 report under the iFreedoms Kenya project states, “While Social Media, and the Internet in general, has played a significant role in the past year, transforming lives and providing public interest news, there have also been concerns on its use with some calling for its regulation. Moreover, the possibility to either shut down the internet during the 2017 General Elections in whole or in part remains a glaring possibility. In addition, the acquisition of a spy software FinFisher by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and its utility to monitor and possibly bring down web platforms is alarming.”

A critical aspect that was highlighted in the report is that, “Kenyans online have also not been spared

the wrath of excessive force and impunity. The use of ‘improper use of licensed telecommunication gadget’ under Section 29 of the Information and Communications Act was rampant. It criminalized publishing information online which is deemed unlawful by the authorities. The section has since been declared unconstitutional.”

2016, Kenya made a milestone. The Access to Information Act (2016) was passed in to law. The Act provides the processes by which citizens, it defines who is a citizen, can request for information from public entities and relevant private institution. It also penalizes the withholding of information by public information officers.

In 2013, Kenya was among 160 countries that Twitter introduced Trends – Trends are an easy way to find out what people are talking about right now –– around the world, in your country, or in your city. 

Brands that stood out

Safaricom: The company has two accounts, the company and its customer care @SafaricomLtd and @Safaricom_Care. They have the largest audience and lead the rest in growth followed by Kenya power and Kenya Airways. This is besides its rival Airtel Kenya being named Africa’s top social media brand in telecommunication on social media for the month or April 2016.

On the business front, the CEO Bob, Colymore said, “Safaricom Numbers are a Fulfilment of Our Purpose,” after the company reported a rise of 30.8 percent of its Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the first half of 2017 compared to a similar period last year to KSH 50.8 billion.

In August, the market capitalisation of the Nairobi Securities Exchange grew by Sh