Peace, But at What Cost? Media Coverage of Elections and Conflict in Kenya

Abstract

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The risks of peace: Exploring the relationship between peaceocracy and journalism in Kenya

“…Traditionally, ethnic identity defines voting patterns, and Kenyan elections often involve political parties created through (temporary) coalitions or consensus of ethnic communities (Bratton and Kimenyi, 2008). Ethnic rivalry combined with mistrust of institutions – like the courts and election agencies – intermittently results in violence, especially among the urban and rural poor populations (Cheeseman et al, 2019).…”

“…The campaigns were meant to forestall violence during the elections in 2007 (Lynch, 2020: 2). Since then, political scientists and journalism scholars have suggested that peaceocracies are emerging in several other post-conflict nations (Lynch, 2020; Cheeseman et al, 2019).…”

The Kenya “high-octane” devolution politics: Comparing predictors of governors and senators coverage in national press

“…The interests of the two parties are mostly intertwined—and use the publications as tools to further their interests (Nyanjom, 2012). For example, the Aga Khan, the owner of the Daily Nation has traditionally maintained close connections with the government of the day (Cheeseman et al, 2019; Makokha, 2010). The Standard is owned by former President Daniel Moi family, while the People Daily is associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.…”

“…Makokha (2010) points out that the politico-economic elite use these platforms to control the overall editorial, strategic, and political direction of the newspapers. In this vein, Cheeseman et al (2019) argue that the political networks and leaning of media owners, which follow both ethnic and personal network and political calculations, have had significant influence in the reporting of political affairs. Thus, the nature of print media ownership explains why there is no media differentiation in Kenya’s newspaper industry.…”

Regulating Religious Coexistence

“…Political elites often mobilize against each other in ever-shifting ethnic alliances, sparking political conflicts that sometimes result in violence (Kagwanja 2009). Yet politicians also frequently speak an ethnically and religiously inclusive language, promising to safeguard peace, development, and national unity in exchange for loyalty (Long et al 2013;Cheeseman, Ouma and Maweu 2019;Willis, Cheeseman and Lynch 2014). In these dynamics, women are frequently seen as dependent on men and excluded from political spheres.…”