Celebrated Kenyan Journalists took to social media on Friday, April 21, to share their views on losing their Twitter verification badges.
Twitter CEO Elon Musk announced a purge of blue verification check marks from users who have not signed up for its subscription service.
Among the top Journalists who were de-verified included CNN's Larry Madowo, former KTN News Anchor Lindah Ogutto, Citizen TV's Jamila Mohammed, Wahiga Mwaura, Eric Njiru and Sam Gituku.
Waihiga Mwaura noted that Twitter no longer authenticated his account, but he did not reveal whether he would pay for it.
Mwaura warned that unscrupulous individuals would create fake accounts to impersonate him.
"The era of the legacy verified account is gone. A new dawn beckons, stormy seas ahead," Citizen TV News Anchor Mwaura stated.
In a post shared on Twitter, Larry Madowo stated that he would not pay the Blue Bdage fee of Ksh1,060 ($8).
"My ‘legacy verified’ checkmark is gone. Still not paying. This was fun," Madowo posted on Twitter while reaffirming his position.
Veteran Sports Journalist Eric Njiru's Blue Twitter Badge was also exed, but he stood against the new policy.
"Can’t pay, won’t pay for Twitter blue! Verification lost it’s meaning if anyone can get it," Eric Njeru defiantly tweeted.
The controversial purge did not spare Citizen TV News Anchor, and Managing Editor Jamila Mohammed equally shared her displeasure with removing her Blue Badge.
On her part, Lindah Oguttu responded to Elon Musk's statement confirming that Twitter had begun the purge to lift verification for accounts that had not paid.
"We’ve started a “save-a-celebrity fund” to pay their $8. We take this matter very seriously," Elon Musk wrote on Twitter.
In her response, Linda trolled the Twitter CEO, warning him of fake accounts impersonating celebrities in what was argued to be a parody menace.
"Hello, celebrities, Elon Musk says that we need to fundraise for you so that you may have back your verifications. Hang in there," Lindah joked.
