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Snapchat has not taken root in Kenya, but the mobile video messaging application is big in other parts of the world, especially the US. By latest estimates, about 60% of American youths are active users.Basically it works like this: a user takes a photo or records a video (snaps), and send them to a controlled list of recipients. Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their Snaps (1 - 10 seconds), after which they disappear from the recipient's device and are deleted from Snapchat's servers.
The application has recently been adding new functionalities. Last year, it added the 'Live' section, which lets users attending a specific live event to submit pictures and videos through the app to a curated collection or Story.
This has expanded from events to covering cities. They are now picking cities to feature, and users from that city (determined by GPS) send videos or pictures which are seen by the whole of the world.
It's something like Twitter's trending topics, only that instead of showing you the trending topics from your city or country, the whole world sees the same thing.
Snapchat is handpicking the cities, and you'll be surprised how many of its loyal users are waiting for their city to be featured. Yesterday was Nairobi's turn (one of the first in Africa).
Well, if you've not downloaded Snapchat yet, head straight to play store, or the Apple app store and get it. You may still catch on the #NairobiLife story happening there, and you'll be sure to find the likes of Nick Mutuma, some white guy making out with a giraffe, and a group of Kenyans singing Jambo Bwana and Hakuna Matata.
In the meantime, some Americans are pissed because Snapchat team decided to feature Nairobi before their cities. Some of them are actually surprised we have iPhones and electricity.
Check out these Tweets.
https://twitter.com/ChrisSmithyyy/status/603263923568058368
https://twitter.com/UncleMART708/status/603275141800337408
https://twitter.com/BayodeTunde1493/status/603263821759782912
https://twitter.com/JackPhillips123/status/603158695023923200
https://twitter.com/SeanySpencer/status/603259784066764800
https://twitter.com/yorichhy/status/603257483293892608
https://twitter.com/gabbiiee_/status/603255381683478528
https://twitter.com/nickthegucci/status/603252759756812288
https://twitter.com/HarryAquino/status/603245832930918401
https://twitter.com/pfuertes15/status/603268359736565760
https://twitter.com/MikeDas/status/603267934635499520
https://twitter.com/grant12dale4/status/603265506888568835
https://twitter.com/JCarville93/status/603269661996777475
https://twitter.com/Black_But_White/status/603268991067488256
https://twitter.com/MichaelSean__/status/603272178348531712
https://twitter.com/joek73/status/603275300076589056
https://twitter.com/danielwendt4/status/603394296532836352
https://twitter.com/Cdevits42v/status/603391564421865472
https://twitter.com/AmaniTOSA/status/603381842193063936
https://twitter.com/UncleMART708/status/603275141800337408
https://twitter.com/search?q=place%3Ade599025180e2ee7
https://twitter.com/RobWallace92/status/603157636956221440
https://twitter.com/craigo_95/status/603146981024911361
https://twitter.com/Jordan15396/status/603144327007723520
https://twitter.com/boandpo/status/603293979665379328
Not everything was negative though. Here are some good ones.
https://twitter.com/TheBlackAmigo_/status/603267392450465793
https://twitter.com/Bizznes_lee/status/603267372275863552
https://twitter.com/IamGeci/status/603269894357032960
https://twitter.com/joan_mwah/status/603268229117583360
https://twitter.com/AislingODonnel2/status/603267903727804417
https://twitter.com/kevoice_/status/603267778892533760
https://twitter.com/perricollins/status/603267474818142208
https://twitter.com/Raphdilla/status/603267122362363904
https://twitter.com/Lexus_Coupe/status/603267080998236161
https://twitter.com/SafaElamin/status/603266763501993985
https://twitter.com/ErikaaS__/status/603265891850199040
https://twitter.com/_Finneyyy/status/603265344346714112
https://twitter.com/LauraKuria/status/603264845832712194
https://twitter.com/missnisssy/status/603264692992286720
https://twitter.com/kevoice_/status/603262260568465408
https://twitter.com/queenwitchiepoo/status/603263035969384448
https://twitter.com/NiamhKissane/status/603261081734217729
https://twitter.com/AlbertPullH0ez/status/603259908465807360
https://twitter.com/wesleywachob/status/603259831919640576
https://twitter.com/masaku_/status/603243680921735169
https://twitter.com/noworneverrr/status/603277128654782464