C is for @ChiefKariuki
From missing goats to armed robber alerts, the “Tweeting Chief” Francis Kariuki has become a worldwide phenomenon for his extraordinary ability to use Twitter for community policing and mobilising Kenyans. Based in his Lanet Umoja location in Nakuru North District, Nakuru County, he has taken advantage of a local telecommunications partnership with Twitter that sees ordinary mobile subscribers able to follow @ChiefKariuki and receive his tweets for free via an SMS subscription – no smartphone necessary. This, without even signing up for Twitter itself.
His tweets are blasted to over 30,000 local residents as well as his over 37,000 Twitter followers. He can be seen reporting lost items, livestock, children, fighting crime and words of encouragement. Kenyans on Twitter are in constant amusement of his notices and musings from small-town life as well as his charming personality.