Social Media as an Early Warning System for Electoral Violence in Nairobi County during 2017 General Elections

The Study sought to explore the use of Social Media as an Early Warning System for Electoral Violence in Nairobi County during 2013 And 2017 General Elections. The Study responded to the following research questions; how does social media assist in the early detection of electoral violence? To what extent does social media facilitate coordination of early intervention efforts during electoral violence? How does social media aid in the provision of real time information to diffuse political tensions? The Study was exploratory in nature. The Study was conducted in Nairobi Sub-Counties of Kawangare, Kibera, and Dandora. The Study used structured questionnaires, interviews and secondary data from Ushahidi Kenya. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data analyzed according to themes and patterns formed and were presented in narrative and verbatim form. On the first objective, the study indicated that social media was utilized by stakeholders in mapping and identifying high risk areas for violence. On the second objective the study found that utilizing social media in an electoral emergency enabled to locate and evacuate casualties of electoral violence more rapidly and effectively. With regard to the third research objective, it was found that social media analytics tools were used for real-time reporting, which can feed responses by various actors, including law enforcement, EMBs, advocacy groups, and responsible journalists in the wake of electoral tensions. The study concluded that social media and digital technology present opportunities for electoral violence monitoring and violent response. Moreover, it was concluded that details and rescue teams in their pursuit to address electoral violence unrest. Also, it was concluded that social media provides an ideal platform to trace potential electoral violence within the shortest time limits. The study recommended that to strengthen the utilization of social media in the management of electoral violence, the government needs to dedicate a multi-taskforce team with the necessary resources and expertise to closely monitor social media activities. The Study further recommended that the government should encourage agents of social change tech-startups such as Ushahidi and enlist them among the beneficiaries of affirmative action funds to strengthen their operationalization. Finally, there is a need for awareness among the public on the contribution of social media as an electoral violence detection and reporting tool.