Be they blogs or microblogging sites like Twitter, their virtual platforms have attracted audiences even bigger than the number of votes some presidential candidates got in the last elections.
The Nairobian talked to some of the most controversial bloggers and below is an excerpt of that
interview.
1.Dennis Itumbi
What is he known for?
The journalist and ardent blogger has had several run-ins with the law. Prominent for breaking big news through social media,
Itumbi is a big name online. His links to the political class, particularly the Jubilee Coalition, has attracted both criticism and admiration. However, he insists he is a creation of hard work, not political connection.
What is his view of being linked with political connections?
“Despite what many think, Itumbi is a simple Kenyan who was born and bred in Kirinyaga where he herded his grandfather’s cattle in his early years,” he says, adding that he first came to Nairobi in 2003.
It is in Kirinyaga, he says, where he adopted his “philosophy of a river” as his a principle.
What is the principle all about?
This perhaps explains why “River Itumbi” has had so many run-ins with the authorities in the quest to deliver his “information waters” from sources to the masses.
What does he say about being arrested for accusations of hacking ICC servers?
“Whatever the ICC said was not true and that’s why they later pointed a finger at the Kenyan government,”
What does he plan to do in regards to this?
He now plans to sue the State for unlawful detention and bringing his name to disrepute.
What else is he accused of?
In an ongoing case Itumbi has been charged with intercepting and publicising on his website private emails of JetLink airlines that questioned the safety of the company’s planes. JetLink no longer operates. But Itumbi remains reluctant when asked if he is a hacker.
“Hacking is a legal subject taught in some colleges and I am not trained in it,” Itumbi says. “But if hacking means access to the operations of a computer, then that one I know”.
How does he make money?
“I am social media and media consultant, owner of a group of county newspapers and a correspondent for journalism.co.za, a South African online publication
How much does he earn?
He points out that his engagements earn him more than Sh300,000 a month after-tax.
Is he a jubilee coalition propagandists?
The blogger says his interactions with politicians are purely on business terms and he works with people from different parties.
When did he open his first email account?
Itumbi says he opened his first email account in 2003 through the help of his friend Dennis Onsarigo, who is currently a top investigative reporter at KTN. “I remember this evening. We had searched for a job all day with my friend Dennis Onsarigo and we only had 18 bob bus fare to South B,” he recalls. “Since we were to walk anyway, we got into a cyber and Onsarigo helped me to open a Yahoo! account”.
2.Bogonko Bosire
What is known for?
He is known for unleashing racy and piercing articles, especially touching on the mainstream media, on his infamous Jackalnews.com. And the self-declared “portrait of the ordinary person” is not sorry for being explosive.
What does he believe in?
“I strongly believe that I have insatiable curiosity, creativity and brilliance.
Is it true that he was fired from AFP?
Bogonko denies he was unceremoniously fired from AFP, an international news agency, for misconduct, dismissing the accusations as lies “peddled by some haters” jealous of his fight for social justice through campaigning for unimpeded access to information.
What does he want to achieve?
My pride in life is to stand for those who are weak and, remind the government that it has an obligation to its people and journalists to remain faithful in their trade”.
What does he think of other bloggers?
“Unlike many mainstream journalists, I have all the respect for bloggers like Dennis Itumbi and somehow Robert Alai,” he says. “They are very good in making friendship with powerful people, but also in making powerful people run away,” says Bosire.
What he part of Jubilee Coalition propaganda machine?
He, however, denies being part of the Jubilee Coalition’s propaganda machine. He accuses “dimwits” in The Nairobian of writing that a blogger (unnamed in the article but who Bosire claims to be him) was promised millions of shillings to do the dirty work of the UhuRuto team during the campaigns, but was never paid.
Why did he set up Jackal news?
Bosire says he set up Jackal news to particularly publish stories that the mainstream media do not want told, including those about editors and reporters.
Who do they target?
“We target anybody who is a public figure and to us, a public figure is anybody with a Facebook and Twitter account.
And his last words?
Nobody is too strong or too hot for us to handle,” says Bosire.
3.Robert Alai
Love him or hate him, one thing you can never do is to ignore him. Alai, an avid Twitter user.
He is also associated with www.techmtaa.com, which has put him at loggerheads with some corporates, politicians and political parties.
What is the latest tussle to hit Alai?
It involves Safaricom which has sued him for allegedly publishing defamatory articles against the company.
What other legal battles is he fighting?
The feisty Alai is also involved in legal battles with Itumbi, former government spokesman (now Machakos Governor) Alfred Mutua and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia. Most of these are related to his tweets that reach more than 55,000 followers.
4.Boniface Mwangi
What is his latest act of activism?
On Labour Day he shouted at Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli, who was making his speech at Uhuru Park and paid dearly for it under the rough hands of the police and the trade unionist’s supposed ‘army’.
How is this not new to Boniface Mwangi?
This is no new territory. In 2009, he shouted down retired President Kibaki during Madaraka Day celebrations.
How did that go?
The case is currently in court.
What else is he known for?
Early this year he led a group of youth in burning 221 coffins outside Parliament to protest against the legislator’s failed attempt to enhance their retirement packages, including receiving State funerals.He was also involved in the Mavulture Campaign, where artists spray walls with creative graffiti depicting politicians as vultures scavenging on citizens.
What was the outcome of that?
This landed him in police cells twice.
How does he feel about landing in a cell every now and then?
“Sleeping in a police cell is not new to me since I have been arrested and detained many times,” Bonnie says, a former Standard Group photojournalist.
How has his act of activism being recognized?
His activism was this year recognized by the Society of Emerging African Leaders (SEAL) that gave him an award for his exceptional work in Africa.
What is he currently involved in?
He is currently leading an online campaign dubbed ‘Occupy Parliament’, through which he intends to lead a procession to Parliament buildings in two weeks to protest against MPs’ salary increase demands.
And his last words?
“As a photo-activist, who is using visual art as a tool for social change, I am determined to awaken the people’s consciousness,” Bonnie says.
Source Nairobian.
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