The social media landscape is facing a new wave of chaos as online mercenaries, driven by desperation and economic hardship, escalate their attacks on public figures under the rallying cry “Nzaa Na Yua.”
Sources reveal that certain online users have turned social media platforms into battlegrounds, launching baseless attacks, character assassinations, and smear campaigns. Their targets? Anyone who refuses to give them handouts, often used to purchase cheap liquor from Kalundu godowns.
“It’s no longer about genuine criticism or holding leaders accountable,” said a digital analyst from Kitui. “It’s blackmail masked as activism.”
Victims report that refusal to give money triggers a flood of malicious posts — detailed essays full of insults, false allegations, and deliberate misinformation. The phenomenon has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning how far social media freedom can stretch before it becomes a tool of personal destruction.
Residents are calling for both law enforcement and community leaders to intervene, warning that the unchecked rise of such online mercenaries is tearing apart the social fabric.
“This is a cry for help,” said a youth leader. “Behind every attack, there’s real hunger and unemployment. But using social media as a weapon will only make the situation worse.”
As the hashtag #NzaaNaYua trends, the bigger conversation now shifts to the urgent need for youth empowerment programs, responsible online behavior, and stronger digital laws to protect individuals from cyberbullying and extortion.
