Witty Kenyans have found hilarious ways to react to the boycott announced by the National Super Alliance (NASA) despite the fact that analysts have warned that it could have disastrous consequences.
Since Friday afternoon when the boycott was announced, social media has been abuzz with funny memes and jokes about the issue with at least three different trends being created on Twitter.
Deputy President William Ruto, with 1.45 million followers, is among those caught up in the wave after he shared his thoughts on the boycott. Mobile company Airtel decided to jump on a thread on its Twitter handle by marketing itself to potential customers.
“Joining the Airtel network with your current line is so simple! Visit any of our shops with your National ID/Passport today,” said Airtel in a tweet which attracted several responses, including one from Victor Nyangem who asked the mobile company to change its branding.
“Airtel Kenya please work out on your colour. The Red colour is inciting us. What do you share with Jubilee?” asked Nyangem.
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What followed was an online response involving hundreds of Twitter users.
“How can I boycott my M-pesa kiosk? Will NASA pay my rent?” asked Caroline Kithome.
Boltech Limited, which repairs smartphones, could not resist joining the wave and took the opportunity to attract customers.
“Being that baba has not banned us, get your phone fixed by us at discounted prices,” it posted.
Some Twitter users like Nathan Murage wondered why Bidco was on the list.
“I wonder what Bidco has to do with this? Maybe their cooking oil was used to cook results,” he said.
“Some are boycotting Safaricom because they have been unable to pay Okoa Jahazi,” said Eric Muchai2.
“Ukambani won’t boycott Safaricom products because M-pesa is the only green thing they have,” added Kimaiyo Elvis.
“All slay queen NRM supporters should boycott make up, cropped tops and sponsors,” wrote Lee Makwiny.
A meme showing a cartoon character from the television show Tom and Jerry making a call with an angry frown has been shared accompanied with the words: “when you see your NASA friend drinking Brookside.’ A photo showing a Safaricom branded shop being ferried in an Airtel branded pick-up truck has also been widely shared accompanied by varied posts.
“Bought and taken for branding,” intimated Gabriel Oguda in one of the hundreds of posts about the Safaricom kiosk that was being ferried.
Former Nairobi gubernatorial candidate Miguna Miguna was also not left behind in the wave, saying he has joined the movement and intends to be a General in charge of operations.
“Announcement; I have enlisted with the NRM at the rank of General in charge of operations! We must win,” he said, to which Simba Hasheem responded; “General in that case you need arm supplier, professional trainer to build the capacity of the troops on rocket launching, grenades, etc. am here.”
The government is however not happy. Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has warned that the boycott will negatively affect the country for a long time terming it retrogressive.
