The Role of the Media in Deepening Democracy in Kenya

1. CENTER FOR
MULTIPARTY
DEMOCRACY (CMD-
KENYA)
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROMOTING ISSUE-BASED POLITICS
JAMES GONDI LL.M

2. The Role of the Fourth Estate in
Regulating Politics
 The press is called the Fourth Estate in the United States usually because
they observe the political process
o They do this to make sure the participants do not exploit the democratic
system;
o They play a crucial role in the outcome of political issues and candidates;
o This is where the media is often called the Fourth Branch of the Government
(In addition to the Executive, the Legislature and Judiciary) instead of the
Fourth Estate. It can be a controversial term depending on the thoughts of
those using it.

3. The Role of the Fourth Estate in
Regulating Politics (cont’d)
 It is controversially referred to as the fourth arm of government and/or
Fourth Estate because it provides an additional level of Checks and
Balances on the Excesses of the Political Class;
 Civil Society is often referred to as the Fifth Estate due to the similar role it
plays in checking the excesses of government through activism, research
and advocacy on issues of public concern;
 Partnership between civil society and the media (particularly political
journalists) is therefore strategic e.g. CMD Kenya and political journalists
with regard to issues like elections, police brutality, election related
violence, accountability for devolved funds, etc.

4. Political Issues in Kenya which the
Media has to Contend With
 Ethnicity: Kenya’s politics is almost synonymous with ethnicity, or to use the more
common term tribalism (George Nyambuga)
o The ethnicisation of government, the civil service and even political parties has for years been
considered one of the major contributors to poor governance and unaccountability in
Kenya, and of course conflict (Ogude, 2002; Omolo, 2002; Oyugi,2005);
o Membership to the ‘right tribe’ brings political benefits that other tribes can only dream of in
Kenya.
o Ministerial and senior government positions, project funds, development projects are
normally allocated along ethnic lines in what has become a difficult balancing act in a country
polarised by tribalism.
o Political Journalists should play a greater role in highlighting/analysing this trend that is becoming
more entrenched and leading to political exclusion, marginalisation and other polarising effects.

5. Grand Corruption in Kenya
 Corruption and ethnicity are the means through which Kenya’s political
elite mobilise support, fund political campaigns, rallies and purchase
political patronage for elections;
 "Corruption is ultimately causing poverty. It's poisoning our politics. It's
increasing the level of violence in our politics. It's causing Kenya – despite
all our growth, the shiny buildings, all the nice cars – to head towards
failure.” (John Githongo 2014)
 Grand Corruption robs the citizen of tax revenue which is appropriated by
the political class leading to inadequate healthcare, education,
infrastructure and other public amenities
 Grand corruption threatens the realisation of key objectives of the
Constitution of Kenya 2010 including DEVOLUTION. The proceeds of
devolved funds are meant to empower citizens at the grassroots through
job creation, education and healthcare. However, there is little
accountability for devolved funds by County Governments.

6. Issues for Political Journalists to
Engage with Going Forward
 Accountability for public funds both at the national and devolved level (in depth analysis of the
Auditor General’s Reports);
 Investigative Journalism to expose corruption at the national and devolved levels of government;
 Elections and Electoral Justice: While the public relies on the news media as a source of
information about politics, politicians also depend on the press, both in elections and in governing.
In depth coverage of electioneering including ethnic mobilisation during elections, the use of
militia and vernacular media houses towards electoral related violence, voter bribery and rigging at
both the nomination and election level is a critical role of the Fourth Estate
 Circumventing in house challenges/barriers to hard hitting political exposes within media houses
(online platforms, WikiLeaks, etc)
 Investigating and analysing political mobilisation along ethnic lines, funding of militia groups,
patronage/reward systems based on ethnicity among the political class.
 Sources: Waki Report, TJRC report (historical injustices), Ndung’u Land Report, Akiwumi Report,
Kiliku Report, Auditor General’s Reports, Parliamentary Committee Reports.

7. Challenges and Opportunities Facing
Political Journalists
 Challenges: media are staggered by stringent laws, monopolistic ownership, and
sometimes, the threat of brute force. State controls are not the only constraints.
Serious reporting is difficult to sustain in competitive media markets that put a premium
on the shallow and sensational. The media are sometimes used as proxies in the battle
between rival political groups, in the process sowing divisiveness rather than
consensus.
 Opportunities: In many fledgling democracies, the media have been able to assert their
role in buttressing and deepening democracy. Investigative reporting, which in some
cases has led to the ouster of presidents and the fall of corrupt governments, has made
the media an effective and credible watchdog and boosted its credibility among the
public.
 Investigative reporting has also helped accustom officials to an inquisitive press
and helped build a culture of openness and disclosure that has made
democratically elected governments more accountable.
Sheila Cornell, The Role of Media in Deepening Democracy).