- Having a social media presence is crucial in this day and age, with some employers even using the medium to vet potential employees
- The various platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter have so much influence on people’s decision making and politicians are using it
- TUKO.co.ke compared the online numbers of Raila Odinga and William Ruto, the front runners in the presidential race
Social media has proven to be an indispensable tool in politics and decision-making.
Source: Facebook
One case was Cambridge Analytica, which ran President Uhuru Kenyatta’s campaigns in 2012 and 2017. The company was accused election rigging Use of private data received from Facebook.
Kenyan politicians have adopted social media platforms to communicate with their supporters, offering them a free medium to highlight their manifesto and advance their agenda.
Raila Odinga and William Ruto, the leading candidates in the election, have used social media to woo voters and TUKO.co.ke wanted to find out who has better numbers online.
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However, it is important to note that social media followers do not automatically become voters.
Raila vs Ruto on Twitter
The Azimio, one Kenya Alliance presidential candidate, first to join Twitter in May 20111.
Ruto joined two months later in July, but the numbers tell a different story. Raila follows Ruto with over a million followers at press time.
Ruto has 4.8 million followers compared to Raila’s 3.7 million. Raila also follows over 3,500 accounts, while Ruto follows a meager 179.
Raila Ruto’s Facebook Numbers
On Facebook, the story is still the same. Ruto has 2 million followersaround 300,000 more than his opponent.
One tactic that may have gained Raila more followers lately was the use of sheng while posting online.
YouTube Views
The two presidential hopefuls also released songs to publicize their tickets. Five months ago, Raila recruited Luhya artist Emmanuel Musindi for Leo Ni Leo, a remix of his all-time hit Lero Ni Lero.
Baba’s music video, as he is popularly known by fans, has over 1.9 million views.
Conversely, Ruto aimed at a younger audience with Hatupangingwi, a remix of Exray’s Sipangwingwi hit.
The song garnered dismal views as it was uploaded to multiple YouTube channels, none of which have been associated with Exray or Ruto.
While Raila beat Ruto in YouTube numbers, Ruto left him in the dust with his larger number of online followers.
Expert takeover of Raila, Ruto’s online presence
TUKO.co.ke Social media manager Chris Oyiersaid the social media strategies of both politicians were impressive and influenced the numbers.
“Raila’s campaign was less lively a few months ago, it was perhaps strategic. But they’ve upped the tempo and are making more videos than before.
On the other hand, Ruto started staging a robust social media campaign a long time ago and I believe that was part of his plan.”
Oyier pointed out that some tactics politicians could use to increase their online presence include consistency, staying in touch with trends and sharing unique content.
Finally, he emphasized how important it is for politicians to have an online presence.
“A lack of online presence could potentially have a negative impact on a politician’s ambitions. Think of it as fuel for your political car.”
Ruto’s campaign vehicle breaks down
Elsewhere, TUKO.co.ke reported that a custom six-wheel truck given to Ruto for campaigns broke down again.
The imposing, converted Toyota broke one of the rear axles on the campaign and could no longer move forward.
The vehicle was still a thorn in Ruto’s side had several mechanical problems.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
