With 31 days to the much-awaited August 9 General Election, political factions are investing heavily in their campaigns to sway voters to their sides.
One of the most popular strategies being employed by politicians is the use of bloggers and social media influencers to win the votes of young voters and especially first-timers.
This new group of voters can easily be influenced by bloggers and social media influencers who easily appeal to their psychological and emotional states.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at some of the most sought-after social media influencers and bloggers who are shaping the country's political landscape.
Robert Alai
The Kileleshwa Member of the County Assembly (MCA) candidate on a Orange Democratic Party (ODM) party ticket has at least 1.7 million followers on Twitter and is one of the most influential bloggers in the Azimio La Umoja faction.
Alai is also credited for unearthing the Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja's degree controversy. He is an ardent supporter of Raila Odinga and Martha Karua.
Dennis Itumbi
The Hustler Nation spokesperson is probably one of the most controversial yet influential digital media strategists.
Itumbi, who is a vocal member of the Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza presidential campaign is also credited with Jubilee administration's first term success on social media.
Itumbi created a niche by positioning himself as one of the most valuable political bloggers in the country.
Pauline Njoroge
Pauline Njoroge is a digital media strategist and influencer who enjoys close ties with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Azimio La Umoja leadership.
With a following of over 189k on Twitter, she describes herself as a digital media strategist, a lover of politics and a passionate Pan-Africanist.
She has also played a central role in Uhuru's administration through disseminating information on the government agenda as well as correcting misinformation.
In the runup to the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections, Pauline played a central role in the overall digital campaigns. She has been described as one of the best political content creators in the country.
Wahome Thuku
The man wears many hats according to his social media profile. A lawyer by training, Wahome has worked as a teacher and a journalist.
He has been a vocal supporter of President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration owing to his close ties with Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho.
He is currently supporting the Azimio La Umoja faction.
Recently he made headlines after traveling to Kampala, Uganda, to ascertain whether Senator Sakaja studied and graduated from Team University.
Gordon Opiyo
Opiyo is a businessman based in Western Kenya. He is a supporter of the Kenya Kwanza alliance and uses his huge following on Facebook to push Deputy President William Ruto's agenda.
The social media influencer is also known for calling out media houses that feed Kenyans with biased or negative news on Ruto.
Mutahi Ngunyi
A political scientist by training, Mutahi Nguyi is one of the faces behind political strategists being employed by the Azimio La Umoja team.
The owner of Fourth Estate TV is also known to use his platforms and resources in creating and dispensing propaganda against DP William Ruto.
He is a vocal defender of Uhuru and Raila Odinga. He is famously remembered for his tyranny of numbers theory that epitomized President Uhuru Kenyatta's solid support in 2013.
Abraham Mutai
Mutai describes himself as an election and communication strategist. With over 623K followers on Twitter, the blogger uses his platform to show what the Azimio la Umoja coalition is doing during campaigns.
Philip Nyamai
Philip Nyamai is a Raila Odinga supporter and his page features the presidential candidate and his activities.
“Mention any major roads in Kenya, or bypasses and underpasses starting from Thika Superhighway to Nairobi Expressway that Raila Odinga did not design,” tweeted Nyamai.
Despite some of his messages not being supported by solid facts and data, he has always expressed his unwavering support for Raila.
Other bloggers and social media influencers who deserve honorable mention include Seth Odongo famously known as Disembe Dikembe and Waime Mburu.
