US envoy takes Ringera debate to cyber space

A surfer on Twitter. Twitter is ranked as the fastest growing social networking site on the web. Photo/FILE

US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger did not issue a press statement in the hours following Parliament’s rejection of Justice Aaron Ringera’s reappointment as anti-graft chief.

Instead, he typed a line on his Twitter page: “Good to see Parliament take a stand on Ringera! Now KACC, Parliament, and Executive need to select a director serious about corruption.”

Twitter is a free online blogging service that is ranked as the fastest growing social networking site on the web. But by using Twitter to express his opinions, the ambassador illustrated how new media applications might be deployed as the primary tools by which public opinion is shaped in the digital era.

His position on the reappointment of the KACC director is not surprising. The US has issued some of the most pointed criticism of what it sees as the commission’s failure to combat high-level corruption. Mr Ranneberger also became one of the key public figures in Kenya to use the popular social networking site to convey his opinions.

Technology experts say networks such as Twitter and other tech-based platforms like SMS will be the key media by which future elections will be fought. “Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Orkut command a large following especially among the youth,” says Justin Anyona, a content specialist at Google.

US President Barack Obama demonstrated the power of online mobilisation during his successful run for the White House last year. His supporters rallied support for him on the web and his “fans” on social networking sites such as Facebook were major fundraisers for his campaign.

In Kenya, politicians Raila Odinga and Martha Karua with 14,000 and 11,000 fans respectively on their Facebook pages, have the biggest presence online although only Ms Karua’s page appears to be regularly updated.

Apart from whipping up support for candidates, social networking sites have also been deployed as potent avenues in which to mobilise opposition.

Twitter is yet to be taken up keenly in Kenya, although Facebook claims to have 800,000 users. And if the US envoy continues to “tweet” his opinions on his page (www.twitter.com/usamb4reform), the site will command more than fleeting attention, at least in official quarters.