After anonymous individuals leaked the phone numbers of several Citizen TV news anchors online, Kenyans responded in an unexpected show of solidarity. The leaks followed a trend where the phone numbers of various Kenyan leaders, including the President, have been published online, with Kenyans being encouraged to call or text them under the euphemism ‘Salimia yeye’.
However, these ‘greetings’ are typically not cordial but rather profanity-laced sessions where people vent their anger, curse, and issue warnings.
As attacks on the Kenyan media escalated online, the phone numbers of top Citizen TV anchors and reporters were leaked with the expectation that Kenyans would inundate them with insults and threats.
Contrary to this, the majority of those who obtained the contacts used the opportunity to praise the news anchors, thank them for their service to the nation, and encourage them to continue their work while ignoring the negativity.
Some of the Royal Media Services personalities who received supportive messages from Kenyans include Mashirima Kapombe, Yvonne Okwara, and Group Editorial & Strategy Director Linus Kaikai.
Reacting to the wholesome messages, Kaikai said, “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. ”
Mashirima Kapombe also expressed gratitude, writing, “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.”
On her part, Yvonne Okwara simply thanked Kenyans for the ‘greetings’, saying, “What a day! Absolutely pleasure hearing from you all today. Shukran sana kwa salamu!”
One of the messages directed at Kaikai reads: “Dear Linus, Your number is circulating online probably shared by government-sponsored goons but know this brother, you and your team are doing a good job.”
“When your performance is above their mediocrity and hooliganism no amount of propaganda will ever make us hate you or harm you. Continue keeping these thugs in their rightful corner. You’re an inspiration to all of us, young or old.”
Amid the anti-media rhetoric, some posters branded ‘Occupy Citizen’ also made rounds online even as the media fraternity complained of sustained attacks and even abductions aimed at Kenyan journalists.
