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.
How the fuck Nairobi gonna have a snapchat story when I'm still paying for their drinking water??
— That Cunt Chris (@ChrisSmithyyy) May 26, 2015
I didn't know Nairobi had electricity let alone snapchat
— marty lups (@UncleMART708) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/BayodeTunde1493/status/603263821759782912
Nairobi on snapchat? Wtf I want my £2 a month back if they got iPhones
— Jack (@JackPhillips123) May 26, 2015
Why does snapchat think I care about Nairobi
— Sean (@SeanySpencer) May 26, 2015
Snapchat made me realize there's no way in hell I'll go to Nairobi
— Mr.Wicked (@yorichhy) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/gabbiiee_/status/603255381683478528
Snapchat has fuckin Nairobi but no denver?
— nick (@nickthegucci) May 26, 2015
Nairobi snapchat story…..would not visit lol
— Aquino (APEX) (@HarryAquino) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/pfuertes15/status/603268359736565760
https://twitter.com/MikeDas/status/603267934635499520
@snapchat I don't care about fucking Nairobi and the other shitty places your putting on my snapchat feed
— Grant (@grant12dale4) May 26, 2015
Not being funny but Nairobi looks shit. Sort it out snapchat
— Jake Carville (@JCarville93) May 26, 2015
Why is Nairobi on my snapchat? Kenya has a live story before Homer City does….
— Thad (@Black_But_White) May 26, 2015
Why does Nairobi have a snapchat story
— michael scully (@MichaelSean__) May 26, 2015
what i want to know about this Nairobi snapchat story thing is who the fuck has phones in poor ass Africa also you country looks like shit
— Joe K. (@joek73) May 26, 2015
Things snapchat has taught me today: People in Nairobi have cellphones.
— Daniel Wendt (@danielwendt4) May 27, 2015
Not only do the people in Nairobi have smart phones but they also have good service to snap chat……
— Danny Scott (@Cdevits42v) May 27, 2015
I though people in Nairobi are living in a war zone! Thanks for changing my perspective @Snapchat
— Amani Alibrahim (@AmaniTOSA) May 27, 2015
I didn't know Nairobi had electricity let alone snapchat
— marty lups (@UncleMART708) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/search?q=place%3Ade599025180e2ee7
The Nairobi snapchat story isn't very realistic. 50 seconds in and there hasn't been one car jacking! #Snapchat
— Robert Wallace (@RobWallace92) May 26, 2015
Didn't think folk in Nairobi knew how to use taps nevermind snapchat
— Craig Thomson (@craigo_95) May 26, 2015
Why is there a Snapchat story for Nairobi? About 3 phones in the whole country.
— Jawrdinn (@Jordan15396) May 26, 2015
Wtf Kenya have cars? I thought they all ran away from Lions and trained for the Olympics! Snapchat really does teach you a lot!! #Nairobi
— Greg (@boandpo) May 26, 2015
Not everything was negative though. Here are some good ones.
Nairobi snapchat looks live , it makes me wanna visit there right now. ✈️
— Captain Phillips (@TheBlackAmigo_) May 26, 2015
Am I the only person who watches the "Greetings From" snapchat stories? I wouldn't mind going to Nairobi.
— Bizzy_Lee (@Bizznes_lee) May 26, 2015
The Nairobi Snapchat thing was just full of ridiculous accents.
— Cthulhu (@IamGeci) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/joan_mwah/status/603268229117583360
https://twitter.com/AislingODonnel2/status/603267903727804417
Only way you're getting featured on snapchat Nairobi is if you wear a Maasai shuka and hold a lions head. Basically just look illiterate.
— kisauti (@kevoice_) May 26, 2015
However I am really loving the Nairobi live feed on SnapChat. I enjoy seeing other parts of the globe. It intrigues me.
— Perri Collins (@perricollins) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/Raphdilla/status/603267122362363904
The Nairobi Life story on snapchat made me so happy. ☺️
— Lex (@Lexus_Coupe) May 26, 2015
Jesus Christ. Snapchat made Nairobi look bad af. There's more to it than ugali and corn, trust
— /LaMadrina/ (@SafaElamin) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/ErikaaS__/status/603265891850199040
https://twitter.com/_Finneyyy/status/603265344346714112
It's cool that Nairobi made it to the snapchat live thing. What is not cool is how they only showed 1 side of Nairobi.
— Laura (@LauraKuria) May 26, 2015
Nairobi is more beautiful than snapchat showed the world
— Anissa (@missnisssy) May 26, 2015
Nairobians stop using snapchat you're supposed to be in the forest hunting supper.
— kisauti (@kevoice_) May 26, 2015
Oh hey I've been to that giraffe place in the Nairobi snapchat thingy
— australian amber (@queenwitchiepoo) May 26, 2015
Bloody lovin the Nairobi snapchat !! Missin it so much #myroots
— Niamh (@NiamhKissane) May 26, 2015
https://twitter.com/AlbertPullH0ez/status/603259908465807360
https://twitter.com/wesleywachob/status/603259831919640576
Lakini the guys who did the Nairobi snapchat failed us. Wangewachia cool kids wa Runda na Karen
— Masaku (@masaku_) May 26, 2015
Everyone stop what you're doing and watch the Nairobi live story on Snapchat!!! Kenya (and Africa in general) is not just a jungle with huts
— v-ron. ✌ (@noworneverrr) May 26, 2015
