WhatsApp Channels are now available in Kenya, according to updates shared by WhatsApp on Twitter and Threads last night. Kenyans are joined by people in six other countries (Egypt, Chile, Malaysia, Morocco, Ukraine, and Peru) in being able to access and use the feature.
The feature, which was announced early last month, had been limited to WhatsApp users in Colombia and Singapore.
WhatsApp Channels is a feature that allows organizations to do what we call “one-to-many” communication. Essentially, broadcasts. The feature is also open to individuals though, at this time, it is still closed.
By primarily targeting organizations, WhatsApp was looking at ways in which communication can be effected faster while still maintaining the same privacy that the app has laboured over the years to be known for. They allow users, who have to choose to follow/subscribe to individual channels, to get updates on the go from the “Updates” tab which is what the former “Status” tab has been renamed. Now, updates from channels that one has opted to receive updates from as well as status posts from contacts appear on the same page.
The feature is envisioned to come in handy in efforts towards fighting misinformation on the popular messenger app that is used by over 2 billion people around the world for communication purposes. Through it, fact-checking organizations can consistently push useful information debunking anything that is making the rounds at any given time as well as educating the masses on misinformation and disinformation.
The feature, as can be seen in Kenya where organizations such as the Kenya Airports Authority and the Central Bank of Kenya already have public channels, should also come in handy in providing timely information from local authorities. For instance, disruptions at airports in the country can easily reach many through the KAA WhatsApp channel. So far, the channel is doing a good job of promoting outlets at Kenya’s main airport, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Users can join WhatsApp channels from links shared with them on the app or outside it through other mediums (email, social media, etc). Channels can also be discovered using the “Find channels” button on the Updates tab.
