Social media is one of the most important and powerful inventions in this century, but it can also become a loose cannon if misused. Its power of reach became even more evident during the Arab Spring when the Tunisian uprising led to a domino effect on other Arab states. Today it only takes one tweet to galvanise millions in a short time and some governments have got reason to fear. Many have even gone to the extent of taking extreme measures of shutting down social media to control the flow of information detrimental. However useful the tool, the web can also be a conduit of rumours, innuendos and half truths. A recent case in point is the trending of allegations – especially among the Kenyan social media community – that Rwanda had reneged on its alleged earlier undertaking to link its upcoming railway line with Kenya using the Northern Corridor opting for the cheaper and shorter route through Tanzania Similar allegations were made when Uganda opted to pass its oil pipeline via the Central Corridor to Tanzania instead of Kenya. Those kinds of assumptions are nothing but an attempt to drive a wedge between member states of the East African Community, as if it was a sign of displeasure towards one of its most important trading partner. And as Rwanda’s finance minister pointed out, the country was not abandoning one route in favour of another, both are equally important, but for the time being, economic common sense is the key factor. In fact, it would be in Rwanda’s interests if it could have a rail link with all its neighbours and beyond. But what is important to keep in mind is that a country’s political and economic decisions are not taken basing on what is trending on social media, but what is in the best interests of its people.
