How WhatsApp Comments on COVID-19 Reflect the Writers’ Attitude on the Government of Kenya’s Response to COVID-19

Abstract

This paper examined public attitudes expressed through WhatsApp comments in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the government's handling of the crisis. Data was drawn from WhatsApp archives of five groups, including medics, former university classmates, neighbours, investment partners, and workmates, over twelve months (March 2020–March 2021). The study applied Critical Discourse Analysis, using Norman Fairclough's ideas and the Appraisal Framework as theoretical frameworks. A qualitative approach was employed, with data thematically coded and subjected to content and critical discourse analysis to reveal writers' attitudes toward the Kenyan government's pandemic response. Findings revealed widespread distrust in the government's ability to manage the crisis, with criticism of inefficiency, corruption, and economic hardship, alongside occasional support and compliance. Writers used discursive devices such as sarcasm, irony, blaming, labelling, humour, and exaggeration to navigate tensions between public health measures and governance failures. The findings contribute to scholarly literature on new media discourse, particularly Kenyan WhatsApp discourse, an understudied platform in discourse analysis.