The Kenyan government wants to pay online posters to shape its image. Officials quietly decided to spend up to one hundred million shillings yearly on social media influencers and bloggers. The Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy is running the effort with the Presidential Communication Service and the Government Spokesperson's office.
Their plan involves hiring ten major influencers for a hundred thousand dollars each per quarter. Another twenty smaller creators would get fifty thousand quarterly. These individuals must promote specific hashtags and push approved messages to their followers.
This strategy aims to counter negative narratives and control digital criticism. An Amnesty International report previously accused authorities of paying influencers to silence protest tags. Kenya’s influencer market is already huge, with brands spending millions on such promotions.
The government admits digital platforms make information control difficult. Their new communication strategy seeks to use these creators for positive branding. Funds will also cover tools to fight misinformation and forums for influencer meetings with officials.
Their plan involves hiring ten major influencers for a hundred thousand dollars each per quarter. Another twenty smaller creators would get fifty thousand quarterly. These individuals must promote specific hashtags and push approved messages to their followers.
This strategy aims to counter negative narratives and control digital criticism. An Amnesty International report previously accused authorities of paying influencers to silence protest tags. Kenya’s influencer market is already huge, with brands spending millions on such promotions.
The government admits digital platforms make information control difficult. Their new communication strategy seeks to use these creators for positive branding. Funds will also cover tools to fight misinformation and forums for influencer meetings with officials.
