In what is undoubtedly an unprecedented scenario, over 50,000 Kenyans joined an X space dedicated to the arrest and subsequent ‘disappearance’ of several influential X personalities.
The ‘Space’, a feature that allows users to have live audio conversations on the platform, was spearheaded by some of the biggest names in the Kenyan X community, including popular ‘Masculinity Saturdays’ inventor Amerix.
Top on the agenda was the fishy arrest of X bigwig @CrazyNairobian alias Billy the Goat, a figure who commands massive respect on the platform and boasts a staggering 403k followers.
According to reports from his friends and fellow influencers, Billy was arrested in his home in Mwihoko and then taken to an undisclosed police station. Later, it would be revealed that Billy was at the Muthaiga Police Station – a claim which would then be disputed after his friends failed to trace him there.
On the X space, Amerix and fellow influencer Osama Otero sought to know the actual police station where Billy was being held at, also asking why he was arrested and why the police were not volunteering information regarding his status.
The personalities also took the opportunity to castigate the government and the police, brazenly calling out various government figures, cursing them out and reprimanding them for abetting impunity.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot were some of the notable leaders who joined the X space, alongside top journalists, celebrities, professionals and Kenyans of all walks of life.
While directly addressing Cheruiyot, Amerix blasted him for perpetuating corruption, telling him that he had no idea about the struggles the average Kenyan goes through daily.
“Politicians thrive on fear. I see Aaron is here. Aaron ‘F**k You!’ Mmetutesa. Mmetuumiza. Mkiona niko na followers 1.6 million, ni vijana. And those men, kila siku kwa inbox ni kulia tu. Mtu amegraduate, very intelligent young men, hawana job,” Amerix ranted.
“Na nyinyi kina Aaron mnachukua pesa, mnaenda kwa matanga, kwa kanisa mnaenda kupeana pesa. Achaneni na hawa vijana. Wacha vijana waongee, vijana wako na hasira. Hamjui mnadeal na akina nani.”
Murkomen’s attempts to talk were also rebuffed with the space conveners taking him to task, expressly asking him to reveal the whereabouts of Billy.
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t know anything about Billy…” he said.
“Tuambie mahali Billy yuko na hii story iishe…” Osama Otero interjected.
“I don’t know about Billy Bro… ” Murkomen continued.
“You said you’re not aware of where Billy is. Tell your people to let go of Billy unconditionally. Billy has committed no crime…” Otero said.
“If you need my help, I’m ready to help. I’ve heard you and I’ll pass the message to the relevant authorities…” the CS offered.
Various other figures, whose stance on the Finance Bill, 2024, has been controversial, were swiftly booted from the ‘Space’. Andrew Kibe and President William Ruto’s own X account faced a harsh reception, both quickly leaving the space.
“Lakini hio mbio mme fukuza Kibe kwa space ni kama Tuesday ntapika butter chicken muonje na teargas! #RejectFinanceBill2024!” Dennis Ombachi tweeted.
Soon after leaving the ‘Space’, Dennis Itumbi took to his X account to share the little information he had gathered regarding Billy’s arrest – he did not, however, reveal where the influencer was being held at.
He wrote: “I have checked with Police why Crazy Nairobian, Billy, is under arrest. I understand he sent threatening message/s. I get hundreds of those myself, & they do not bother me. But well, it is a crime. I am unable to intervene, though I strongly disagree. I will reach out to the complainant to see if he/she can withdraw.”
“That said, when they used to arrest me, I used the court platform to argue TRUTH and FACTS. I am of the view that INSULTS are part of free speech. Insulting and criticising public servants should not be treated as a crime. I will leave the jury to decide if sending threatening messages should be treated as a crime.
“I would personally not bother report to police, but that I leave to the courts to determine. I also firmly hold that Public Servants should grow a THICK SKIN. Some of these arrests based on your complaints are unnecessary. They may not be ILLEGAL, but they are sincerely STUPID!”
