Everyone has thoughts and opinions of how good or bad a year 2018 has been for them but regardless of how varied they may be, we can all find common ground in some specific experiences we’ve shared as citizens.
1. I am not boarding
Canada-based lawyer, Miguna Miguna, has made news more times than we can exhaust on this article but his most prominent feature was when he was deported.
The fiery lawyer caused drama at the airport when he refused to board a Dubai-bound plane meant to deport him to Canada, just hours after he had landed in the country.
Security agents at the airport were forced to frog march him into a plane even after repeatedly shouting “I am not boarding!” Eventually, they suppressed his fury using medication and were able to put him on a plane to Dubai.
2. Kobi Kihara Challenge
Popular journalist Kobi Kihara became the butt of a myriad of jokes after she was exposed for faking her lifestyle on Instagram.
It was revealed that a lot of the photos that she had posted on her profile were not originally hers. She received so much backlash that she ended up deleting her social media accounts after apologising.
Cheeky Kenyans used the opportunity to coin the Kobycat challenge which involved posting images and passing them as their own.
3. Kirimino
Mary Njambi, a Nairobi County MCA, made headlines after she was given her own dose of annoyance when former Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi allegedly used pepper spray on her.
Njambi and her colleagues had stormed Elachi’s office to eject her from office when the incident happened.
“How can you be a speaker, na unawekea MCA wako mapiripiri kwa macho… Si hiyo ni kirimino? (How can you be a speaker and spray pepper in your MCA’s eyes. Isn’t that a crime?)” she complained. The challenge was so lit that it was made into a song with over 500,000 views on Youtube.
4. Mama give us a sign
Fiery South African MP Julius Malema became a trending topic among Kenyans following his powerful speech during the funeral of former anti-apartheid icon Winnie Mandela in Soweto.
He repeatedly punctuated his speech – to great effect – with calls to Mama Winnie to “show (give) a sign/signal” to South Africans concerning issues which they sought answers to.
True to character, Kenyans on social media picked up the punchline both for comic relief and to raise concern about current affairs affecting the country.
5. Kate actress Challenge
Popular actress Catherine Kamau posted a video of her trying out Vietnamese hats that resemble woven baskets used by locals.
The seller quoted a price of Kshs 1000 which shocked her so much that she responded in vernacular asking why a hat that looked like a woven basket costs so much.
Kenyans decided to recreate her shopping experience to complain of exploitation for items they thought were overpriced.
6. Raila's swearing-in
In an event attended by thousands of NASA supporters at Uhuru Park, ODM leader Raila Odinga took an oath of office in a mock swearing-in after losing the 2017 Presidential race.
Since the oath was insignificant and a mockery, Kenyans decided to impersonate the former premier by conducting mock swearing in ceremonies of their own.
The joke involved replacing the Bible with other household items and conferring themselves outrageous positions.
7. Nairobi floods
The long rains season, that normally occurs between the months of March and June, hit Kenyans hard when floods occurred in Nairobi as well as other parts of the county.
As usual with Kenyans who are famous for making fun of even the most mundane things, they found a way to brave the early morning rains in the most rib cracking way.
People who had been trapped in the CBD because of the rains were advised to remain calm as their houses would be carried to them by the floods.
Others named parts of the city after various water bodies due to the huge amount of water that had submerged them. One man even took it a notch higher after he arrived in the city rowing a raft.
8.Free Bobi Wine
Kenyans joined their Ugandan counterparts in demanding for the release of MP Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
He had been remanded in Military Barracks after facing charges of treason. Kenyans online led the world in expressing their solidarity with Ugandans in the fight for Bobi Wine’s release.
A concert was even organised and was followed by a peaceful protest at Freedom Corner in Nairobi led by a number of Kenyan activists in solidarity with their Ugandan counterpart.
Following the sustained online pressure, the Ugandan MP, who was facing charges of illegal arms possession charges, was freed by the military court in Gulu.
9. Justice for Sharon
Kenyans demanded justice for Sharon Otieno, a student from Rogo University in Migori County, who was abducted alongside Nation journalist Barack Oduor and was found dead in Kodera forest.
The demands jumped a notch higher after it emerged that Migori Governor Okoth Obado was the father of her unborn baby and was later arrested in connection with the murder.
This forced the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji to order an inquiry. The case is yet to be concluded.
10. Baba Yao Challenge
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu is famous for controversial statements that have backfired in his face, not once.
At one point, he declared that he did not support the ongoing demolitions of structures built on riparian land in Nairobi that saw high-profile buildings come down.
Waititu instead suggested that the government should divert rivers away from such buildings instead of demolishing the entire property and place that burden on the owner.
In the spirit of the outrageous proposal, Kenyans suggested many improbable and funny solutions facing the country making the governor a trending topic.
Is posbo 😂😂#waitituchallenge #Waititu #riparianland #babayaochallenge pic.twitter.com/OqLOqbJYQz
Which is another challenge or hashtag that made 2018 fun?
