On the internet, memes have become more than just a source of laughter. Memes are now a mirror, reflecting a society’s joys and frustrations. In Kenya, memes have become a language of their own, more like a digital dialect.

There seems to be a meme for every occasion or moment. These playful memes open conversations about how Kenyans navigate life in a rapidly changing society. Beneath the jokes lies the daily realities of ordinary Kenyans.

Memes are a powerful tool because they are easily accessible. You do not need an academic background to make a point, all you need is a smartphone and creativity.

Think of memes as a modern equivalent to political cartoon you would see on the newspapers. They offer a coded way to critique authority.

This new form of commentary has its flaws as well. Stereotyping and misinformation often ride on the coattails of meme culture. Bullying as well. A joke can easily become a weapon with only a few swipes on your phone. Yet even with these flaws, meme culture has a lot of space to grow and change.

To answer the question, yes, I think memes are a new form of commentary, and a powerful one at that. In Kenya, memes are not only a mirror but a megaphone to amplify the people’s voice on current events. One thing is for certain, memes are telling our stories now.