A Chief Kariuki tweet saved a family in Nakuru

Chief Francis Kariuki, the globally recognised “Tweeting chief” is known for embracing technology when most of his peers think that social media is a waste of time or have no idea about its vast usefulness.

The good man from Lanet Umoja, Nakuru North District, sent out a tweet to his near 65,000 followers saying; “Kwa kihanda nyumbani kuna moto kubwa sana majirani saidieni tafadhali. Pale karibu Umoja 2” (There’s a big fire at Kihanda’s home, neighbours please help. It’s at Umoja 2.)

The residents, many who subscribe to his tweets through a free text messaging service, jumped into action just in time and saved the family. The tweet received just six retweets but the SMS service proved to be the lifesaver.

Kariuki’s community of 30,000 is largely rural and internet connectivity is almost nonexistent and many are not users of Twitter but through the free text messaging service, they are aware of any information that he shares with the world.

A member of the family by the name Njoki tweeted her thanks to the chief and everyone who helped her kin.

“This tweet saved my family. We are all safe and I can’t believe how everyone came out to help. Thank you so much for your big hearts. I have no words. Thank you.”

Chief Kariuki says of his social media exploits on Twitter; “I am using Twitter as a tool for community policing, neighborhood watch & crime-reporting activities.”

Most of his tweets are about lost cattle, lost and found IDs, job vacancies in local schools and Bible verses. He rarely engages with his followers but many understand his platform is a different one.

Kwa kihanda nyumbani kuna moto kubwa sana majirani saidieni tafadhali. Pale karibu umoja 2

— ChiefFrancis Kariuki (@Chiefkariuki) January 9, 2018

https://twitter.com/Misskahacho/status/950877188118728704