Kenya Decides: Kiswahili, social media and politics in Kenya’s 2013 general elections

Abstract

Abstract As Kenya’s 2013 general elections have witnessed, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and new media have played a crucial role in shaping political landscapes. The debates on Twitter and Facebook, being important forums for Kenyans engaging in politics, display discussions in quite creative linguistic forms. In contrast to most recent studies focusing on how ICT and new media were catalysts for the 2007/08 post-election violence, this article will shed light on the role of Kiswahili and social media in the process of fostering participation in the 2013 general election campaigns. It takes a closer look at how the use of Kiswahili and mobile phones has shaped citizen engagement by offering new forms and spaces of expression. It will give insight into evolving digital practices of political communication during the 2013 general elections in Kenya.