Nasty Twitter wars not good for economy

Online altercation is on the rise all over the world, especially in Kenya. The recently launched Building Bridges Initiative has seen bitter debates on Twitter. 

Its content and how to operationalise its recommendations have found their way on Twitter - in a nasty way. 

Most of the citizens have perfected the art of putting forth their arguments on social media. Though social media may exceptionally stand out as the best engagement platform in advanced democracies, there is an ingrained tendency of being abused.

Other than giving informative ideas and laying out constructive criticism, many people use it to malign and soil the reputation of others. All these are a threat to democracy and also have irreparable economic ramifications.

It beats logic to see a sitting MP whose mandate is enshrined in the Constitution opening Twitter battlefront with a Cabinet secretary whose role is to implement the laws made by MPs. This causes a bad working relationship and subsequently doom to economic progress.

What was perhaps surrounded with a lot of riddles and scuffles was the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative, from an Opposition MP being the master of ceremonies to heckling of the Senate Majority Leader.

The debacle is not only giving clear depiction of a divided country but also rendering blows to the Gross Domestic Products.

A few days ago, the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi traded tirades with a top lawyer and a senior counsel, a move viewed as unhealthy for the country.

Airing grievances and views on social media is part and parcel of freedom of expression as anchored in the Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

We should ensure that social media ethos are adhered to. Public education on effects of social media abuse should be conducted.