Miguna annoys KOT by declaring war on Sheng in Nairobi
Twitter users went ham on aspiring Nairobi governor Miguna Miguna after he tweeted that he would make the city first class and not a concoction of Sheng and other funny languages.
Miguna, who has declared his interest in the gubernatorial race on an independent ticket, attracted criticism from Nairobians on Twitter who viciously defended the Sheng language.
The language which is coined from different languages is widely used in Nairobi especially by young people.
Activist Boniface Mwangi told the aspirant:
If you want the Nairobi vote,respect the youth language,Sheng. In Nairobi poor hoods,they won’t be wowed by your fine “English”. Ask PLO! https://t.co/42KN85hwSm
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) September 21, 2016
Mwangi went ahead and provided Miguna with a case study of how former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has embraced the language so as to connect with the youth.
69yrs old @WMutunga is taking sheng classes & he now connects with the Sheng speakers. @shengnation give @MigunaMiguna the Sheng dictionary. https://t.co/42KN85hwSm
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) September 21, 2016
During his tenure at the helm of the Judiciary, Dr Mutunga occasionally tweeted in Sheng on matters law and order .
So popular is the Sheng language that it has a dictionary and a movement dubbed Sheng Nation whose vision is to advance the language and culture.
Users faulted Miguna for disregarding the language that is widely spoken in the city and one that resonates with the youth.
@bonifacemwangi @WMutunga @shengnation @MigunaMiguna Miguna is like most of our outgoing politicians. Completely out of touch with reality.
— Suzanne Suzanne (@G1244sue) September 21, 2016
@bonifacemwangi @WMutunga @shengnation @MigunaMiguna We are comfortable with our sheng, this language has come from far. Even Obama likes
— SonofChef® (@_Neney) September 21, 2016
So @MigunaMiguna‘s ‘World Class’ city will come at the expense of culture? Take your #Eurocentric values over —————> there.
— Silas Miami (@SilasMiami) September 21, 2016
@MigunaMiguna you should be celebrating sheng as an emerging Kenyan Creole from our youth, No? We are writing about Sheng, so embrace it.
— Njoki Wamai (@Njokiwamai) September 20, 2016
I watched @JimnahMbaru speak to Eastlands youth,he didn’t connect,his boardroom language failed in the streets. @MigunaMiguna learn Sheng.
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) September 21, 2016
@MigunaMiguna hahaha unfortunately you’ll need votes from these Sheng speaking people, hapo itakuwa ngori joh!
— Arap Too (@dennotoo) September 21, 2016
