By 
It’s a common misconception in the digital age: that the loudest voices online represent the majority opinion. The recent political landscape, particularly regarding Ruto, has once again underscored a fundamental truth: the people who shout the loudest on social media are not always the ones who actually cast their ballots.
For weeks, and indeed months, leading up to key political moments, various online platforms buzzed with intense criticism, disparaging remarks, and outright hatred directed towards President Ruto. Hashtags trended, memes circulated, and echo chambers amplified negative sentiment, creating an illusion that public opinion was overwhelmingly against him. Many observers, both local and international, might have been swayed by this digital narrative.
However, when the rubber met the road – or rather, when the voters queued up at polling stations – a very different story unfolded. The electoral results painted a picture that starkly contrasted with the online clamor. It became evident that while the ‘online haters’ were busy crafting their next tweet or comment, the ‘real voters’ were quietly making their decisions, often based on different considerations than what dominated the digital sphere.
This disconnect serves as a powerful reminder that social media, while an influential tool, is not a perfect barometer of public sentiment, especially in the nuanced world of politics. Electoral outcomes are shaped by a myriad of factors – ground mobilization, policy promises, historical allegiances, and personal convictions – that often transcend the transient nature of online trends. The lesson is clear: online popularity or unpopularity does not always translate into votes, and sometimes, the most significant political battles are won not in the comment sections, but at the ballot box.
Source: Original Article
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