In a surprising twist, Kenyans have come out in droves supporting journalists for their work in holding the government accountable.
On Thursday, July 19, phone numbers belonging to Citizen TV anchors were leaked online as a counter offensive by individuals believed to be government bloggers, only to backfire when netizens sent messages of encouragement instead.
The journalists Linus Kaikai, Mashirima Kapombe, and Yvonne Okwara took to their social media pages expressing their disbelief when they realized that their numbers were shared online, but most of all the sweet messages they received as it was not the norm in the infamous ‘greetings’ trend where notable figures are slammed with insults.
“My fellow Kenyans, I am overwhelmed by your countless messages of love, kindness and encouragement. This was certainly not the intended outcome of that early morning ‘brief’. Thank you for the very many calls, too; I spoke to a lot of amazing countrymen. Let’s keep talking, loving and serving Kenya in the best way we can. God bless you all,” said Linus Kaikai.
He shared a couple of screenshots of Kenyans hailing him for leading the team of journalists at Citizen TV in the coverage of the recent happenings in the country.
Mashirima Kapombe also shared her shock, grateful for the kind messages from Kenyans asking her to remain vigilant in the fight for equality.
“I don’t think this is what they expected. Thank you for all the kind and warm messages. You all give me hope that Kenya will triumph and we are better together; known and unknown, rich or poor, Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X. God bless you and our great country, ” she wrote.
Yvonne Okwara’s message was brief, but she acknowledged Kenyans and their uplifting messages.
“What a day! Absolutely pleasure hearing from you all today. Shukran sana kwa salamu!” the News Gang member wrote.
The media fraternity has been at loggerheads with the government in recent days, with the shooting and abduction of journalists by police, threats of a gag order as well as attacks from politicians and goons alike.
Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) president Zubeidah Kananu has threatened a strike by all media practitioners should the attacks on the media persists, promising to down their tools until the harassment stops.
