King Kaka - Wajinga Nyinyi : A Case Study for Disinformation,Misinformation and Fake News

By Fred Sagwe   :  co:Organizer , Digital Citizenship Summit Kenya

As the Standard news paper chronicled  about  King Kaka, the rapper who’s kicked up a stink ,following his single release on YouTube  channel titled "Wajinga Nyinyi" a Swahili phrase meaning "Foolish ye " by Google Translate  or  'you are fools' chiding Kenyans , the track which is laced with political overtones,protest music.!Towering over other notable protest  songs  in Kenya from musicians : Eric Wainaina , Juliani  and Sauti Sol e.t.c.

That Mirrors and  reminds me of the late hardcore rapper Tupac Shakur ,protest lylics (angry with system ) " Letter 2 the President " directed  to the President , Bill Clinton administration. The song is themed with lyrics some ,which are lewd in nature. Embodiment of  the perceived  social injustices perceived to have  been committed and  done to the  minorities.

The  gangsta rap  that became the genre's dominant style in the 1990s,a reflection and product of the often violent lifestyles of America  inner cities afflicted with poverty and the dangers of drug  use  and drug dealing.The violence that had been confined to songs began to spill over into the world,culminating in the tragic murders of the Notorious B.I.G . ( Christopher Wallace ) ,a rapper from New York City,and Tupac Shakur ( 2pac ) ,a California rapper.

The Roots reggae  ,genre superstar like the late Peter Tosh ,who penned the  Equal Rights song ,and led a solo protest in Jamaica to highlight the oppression of the majority in South Africa ,during the Apartheid Era .Also had it's era of fighting social injustiuce.

Viral Music

The hit song has over 1 million viewers in YouTube,implying that may be the channel is used for   monetization using the Google Analytics  and Google Ads .Quantitatively , has made  him have substantial  fortune.The million dollar question is.Was the song produced solely for a clarion national call for social change? Or was timed ,such a way to generate more traffic to his Vlog site.Hence more likes and money minting scheme.

How about,alternative thinking , if he didn't use the social media tools and forums ,Twitter and YouTube?But opted to do a show  in an air open locations  like Majengo or Kibera  in in East lands,or did the roadshows.There is more than meets the eye,as much it resonates with the genuine demands of the majority populace of the nation Kenya.So ,both political class and a niche of musicians also ,taking  Kenyans for a ride ,if you look dive deeper and look  at the big picture.

                                   

                                                                            King Kaka
                                                          Credit Image : Standard Media

The Award-Winning artist,doesn't trust  the system,yet within less than 24 hours he was requesting for assurance for his security from the same "rogue state" which is responsible for all the mess,as stated in the track... The "victims " who were  blasphemed ,slandered and defamed  by his lyrics were not given time or a platform to respond to the perceived  'allegations' . For it was  'public lynching'  and cyberbullying mentality , emanating from a 'trusted source'.Well, some will say, after all everyone is a  taxpayer.
Or the 'victims' may opt for a lawsuit or seek  defamation,which shall be catastrophic and costly to the artist..
And most Kenya bloggers took that chance to make the track go viral in their social media platforms to generate more traffic.Becoming just another ' man eat man society ' .

Entrepreneurship and Philanthropic Activities

I support and admire King Kaka mentor ship, philanthropic and entrepreneurship roles and his business  acumenship ranging from volunteering to walk over 150 km  from Nairobi-Nakuru .In order to champion girls rights to education.Through the fundraising ,donating and offering free sanitary towels ( )  Bank On Me Menstrual Walk initiatives.On top of giving everlasting entrepreneurship lessons to the public.

That mirrors my initiatives for the agitation of  WASH in Schools Clubs  and the Menstrual Hygiene Curriculum in our schools in  Kenya.Inspired my ChesSDGs Walk 2019 ,from Nairobi to Nakuru.An entrepreneur  guide Teach A Man To Fish ,a philosophy and concept;helps schools create fully functional student-led business around the world that are both educational and profitable.For me he is an everlasting and an  inspiring mentor.

Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship refers to the responsible use of technology by anyone who uses computers,the Internet,and the digital devices to engage with society on any  any level.This is why digital citizenship is such a crucial topic to teach today's students.

                                   The Digital Citizenship Summit Kenya

                                                 #DigCitSummitKE

Kenya Is a Tech Hub 

Kenya has  become the the cradle of Africa's Technological Innovation , new innovations and and smart startups  .Fast internet connectivity speeds.High penetration of smartphones to the general populace.

The Mueller Report

According to the Washington Post ,teacher and professors have used the report in history classes and in government,law,political science and other courses in high school,college and law school.With book clubs springing on the same.To teach students how to distinguish truth from fiction in the digital age.A well learned lessons which Kenyans can benefit from.

Social Media

World Economic Forum over 2.5 billion use social media .Social media has changed the world.The rapid and vast absorption  of these technologies is changing how we find partners,how we access information from the news,and how we organize to demand political change.

Kenya Data Protection Bill

A new EU inspired  GDPR look-like data protection law in Kenya ,which set a high standard for the rest of the continent ,especially on privacy issue.

Misinformation,Disinformation and Fake news

Today's Kenya is awash with fake news , misinformation and disinformation everywhere. Noble initiatives like the Africa Check Kenya .Helps to sort facts from fiction.

Climate Change in Kenya

Kenya is vulnerable to climate change ,yet there is no robust public discourses on the same  .One of the modern nightmares affecting humanity survival.

Conclusion.

Not unless Kenyans fully embrace the tenets of good digital citizenship , become active consumers of technology rather than  being passive consumers .We shall be left to be gullible forever at the mercy of overzealous Machiavellian politicians ,musicians and business people.

Tags:YouTube, Twitter,King Kaka ,Digital Citizenship ,Social Media, Climate Change