JAMILA'S MEMO: Yours truly, Comments section

Often, it is because the comments are amusing. Someone once wrote “Kenya sihami!” and you realise just how creative, witty and downright smart Kenyans can be online.

But lately, the atmosphere online has been different. There is anger. A lot of anger. Anger directed at Kenya’s leadership.

It almost doesn’t matter what a leader posts anymore. Whether it is about policy, a high-level meeting, a development project, or what may even be considered good news chances are the first fifty comments will be angry, critical, or outright nasty. The message is palpable. Kenyans are upset.

And I am sure that just like the rest of us, these leaders also scroll through the comments after they post. The question, however, is this: do they ever pause and ask themselves why people are so angry? Why is the criticism so intense? And more importantly, what could they do to change things? Or perhaps they simply do not care.

Now, to be fair, cyberbullying is real. Some of the comments cross the line. Some are insulting. Others are written in capital letters as if someone is shouting through the screen. Others mock, ridicule and demean. And the truth is, no one wants to be insulted or shouted down.

Which makes it even more puzzling that just a few hours later, another post appears from the same leader and predictably, the same cycle repeats itself. The same criticism. The same anger. Sometimes even worse. It makes you wonder: is this a case of doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting different results?

Or perhaps the conclusion is simpler. Maybe people no longer believe you. Maybe they are simply tired. Whatever the reason, kuna shida katika manyatta.

So the next time you post something like “Good morning Kenyans, wishing you a great day,” perhaps take a moment scroll through the comments carefully. Because sometimes the comments are not just noise. Sometimes, they are telling you exactly how the country feels.