Stranded Kenyans are this morning using Twitter to carpool their way to various destinations in the wake of the transport strike across the country, using the hashtag #CarPoolKe.
The hashtag has been given support by The Red Cross, who have also put their weight behind trying to organise transport for those who do not have means.
The crisis has also seen a crowdmap site launched to help people know where to get cars. The portal maps out areas where drivers are giving rides and uses the #CarPoolKe hashtag to give updates on the platform.
People who have personal vehicles are also posting tweets about help they might offer to those who might be stranded in Nairobi and other areas.
Kenyans in the past have found ingenious ways of using social media to alert and mobilise action in the midst of various issues that are affecting the country.
Kenyans on Twitter (#KOT) have been accused of misusing social media, but this latest move shows that it can act as a vital tool to broadcast messages that can help.
During the transport strike, Kenyan Twitter users raised the alarm over violence that rocked part of the city due to a demonstration by the transport operators. These tweets warned users to avoid certain areas that could be unsafe.
Other traffic apps, such as the K24 Rush Hour and Ma3Route, have been active, letting people share information from wherever they are.
As long as the transport unrest continues, Twitter will still be the favourite medium for Kenyans to coordinate how they are going to commute.
Here are some tweets:
RT @SteevOr: I got space for 2 from Cabanas to BelleVue/Capital Centre #CarpoolKE hit me up if stranded at cabanas
Erik Hersman @whiteafricanNairobians: got a ride, need a ride? Use #CarPoolKE to coordinate on Twitter. https://carpoolke.crowdmap.com
Mwangi @KibaliMoreithi‘@KenyaRedCross: #KOT Driver KAJ151N on Thika rd is going picking n dropping #walkingclass kenyans for free. Kudos. Via @ng_bn#carpoolKE‘
