Three years after deactivating his Facebook and Twitter accounts, the former president Uhuru Kenyatta has reactivated his social media accounts.
Uhuru has launched new accounts with his official name even though he isn’t utilizing his personal accounts, which back then had a sizable following.
Uhuru’s Facebook page is titled “Office of the Third Retired President of the Republic of Kenya.”
2044 new followers had been added to the new account as of the time this report was filed.
H.E. (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta, Facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)- led Nairobi Peace Process arrives for the official opening of the Third Inter-Congolese Consultations of the Nairobi Peace Process, the political track, Nairobi III at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi County. pic.twitter.com/mgSyXTVCXl
— Office of the 4th President of Kenya. (@4thPresidentKE) November 28, 2022
The former head of state’s Twitter username is @4thPresidentKE, and his user name is “Office of the 3rd Retired President of Kenya.”
At the time of publishing this piece, the account was rapidly growing and had 7380 followers.
He had followed only two accounts; the president of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye and the East African Community.
Interestingly, Uhuru has limited people who can comment on his posts.
Why he deleted social social media accounts
Uhuru Kenyatta’s social media accounts were deactivated on March 22, 2019, and today, while speaking during the launch of the BBI signature drive, he shed light on why he could not keep up with the platform.
While drumming up support for the BBI referendum, Kenyatta said he prefers interacting with leaders face to face and does not follow their sentiments online.
He stated that he deactivated Twitter due to the constant insults and name-calling that flooded his timeline, saying he would rather sleep and engage First Lady Margaret Kenyatta than keep up with the social media platform.
“Ata twitter niliondoka huko nikaona hiyo kitu ni bure ni matusi tu. Unakaa hapo unasoma hulali. Afadhali nilale nipige story na mama…nilale niamke niende kufanya kazi,” he said amid laughter from those attending the BBI event.
When his account was deactivated, Uhuru was one of the most followed African leaders on Twitter as @UKenyatta had around 3.62 million followers.
His Facebook account was deactivated shortly after and Kenyans wondered why the President had opted out of social media.
The then, State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita said the move was informed by unauthorised access to the President’s official social media handles and ‘necessary remedial measures’ had to be undertaken.
