Silverio Omari
On Wednesday, President William Ruto humorously remarked about social media platform X being used for “Kusalimiana,” a Swahili term meaning “greeting each other.”
Speaking at the Linzi Sukuk Bell-ringing ceremony marking its entry into the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Ruto linked ‘Kusalimiana’ to the widespread internet access that, he suggested, sometimes leads to less constructive online behavior.
He noted that while the government’s goal was to provide useful internet access, it has also inadvertently led to the platform being used to send “encouraging messages” to leaders. Ruto explained, “When we rolled out Wi-Fi across Kenya and made it free, our intention was to promote positive uses, such as e-commerce and online work. However, it sometimes ends up being used for ‘Kusalimiana,’ where people use the platform to engage with or criticize leaders.”
The term ‘Kusalimiana’ gained traction among Kenyan youth during Gen Z anti-government protests, where it was used to share leaders’ contact information on X, encouraging others to “greet” them or voice their dissent. This practice also extended to targeting those perceived as having betrayed the Gen Z cause.
Despite this, President Ruto emphasized the benefits of internet access, expressing optimism about its potential to create job opportunities and facilitate e-commerce. He concluded, “As we improve internet accessibility, it will open up more opportunities for digital jobs and e-commerce, including trading in government bonds, securities, and shares on the stock exchange.”
