Uproar on social media over Tanzania deportations and Natembeya’s arrest
This week’s analysis looks at the main trending topics on Facebook, X and Tik tok
1. Tanzania deportations
Tanzania trended across social media platforms after a diplomatic standoff erupted when several prominent Kenyan human rights activists were detained and deported from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Among those affected were former Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, who had traveled to Tanzania separately on May 18 and 19, 2025. The incident sparked widespread outrage online. Kenyan social media users took to their platforms especially X to condemn the Tanzanian government, accusing it of human rights violations and disrespecting regional cooperation. The online backlash escalated, with influencers, activists, and political leaders joining the fray. Some even went as far as to urge President Samia Suluhu to never step foot in Kenya.
Adding fuel to the fire, Tanzania temporarily blocked access to X, according to internet watchdog NetBlocks, shortly after an X account affiliated with the Tanzanian police was hacked and used to post a false message claiming President Samia Suluhu was dead. This blackout triggered further speculation, criticism, and conspiracy theories, intensifying the online storm.
As a result, Tanzania became the number one trending topic on X in Kenya, amassing over one million tweets after trending for 24 consecutive hours.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C3wCiq3Z3/
@immediachannel3 #tanzania #samiasuluhuhassan #georgenatembeya #rigathigacghagua
♬ original sound – I & M
Impact on media
The Tanzania deportations saga demonstrated how social media, particularly X, has become a critical tool for breaking news, shaping narratives, and mobilising public opinion. While traditional media initially lagged behind, social platforms drove the momentum, with activists, journalists, and ordinary users amplifying the issue in real time. This forced mainstream media to catch up, report, and provide commentary, highlighting how digital spaces are increasingly setting the agenda for public discourse and government accountability in the region.
2. EACC and Natembeya
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) trended on X at position 2, amassing 41K tweets after trending for six hours following a dramatic raid at the residence of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in Kitale. The operation, conducted jointly by EACC and DCI officers, lasted two hours and drew massive public attention, especially after clashes erupted between police and the governor’s supporters, forcing the use of teargas to disperse crowds. Tensions escalated as EACC vehicles were damaged by angry residents protesting the raid. The governor, who was arrested on May 19, was accused of involvement in the fraudulent acquisition of Sh1.4 billion in county funds. He has since denied the charges, alleging a political witch-hunt.
The incident set off a wave of digital discourse, with Natembeya trending at position three with 126K tweets over four hours, and Kitale at position six with 24K tweets over eight hours, demonstrating the public’s intense engagement and the growing role of social media in shaping perceptions around governance and accountability.
Impact on media
The EACC raid on Governor Natembeya’s residence unfolded in a highly visible and fast-moving digital environment, with trending topics like EACC, Natembeya, and Kitale flooding social media. Citizen journalists and eyewitnesses shared videos, photos, and live updates that reached the public instantly, well before traditional media could verify and report the story. This incident highlights how legacy media are increasingly relying on social media as a primary source of real-time news, forcing newsrooms to adapt their workflows and verification processes to keep pace with the speed and volume of online information.
