Media Democracy And Devolution In Kenya

This book discusses politics, media, social justice and democracy in Kenya. It shows how media has been used in promoting democracy and devolution in Kenya. On politics and media, the book has elaborated issues arising in the field of practicing journalism and politics. The book is divided into five chapters. Chapter One touches on social justice and democracy, nature of social justice and democracy in African and Kenya. Chapter Two deals with the concept of devolution, main objectives of devolution, benefits of devolution, history of devolution in Kenya, comparing Kenya's, Uganda's and Rwanda's decentralisation. Chapter Three covers media and devolution politics, media and good governance, and what Kenyan media has achieved in devolved governments. Chapter Four has media and politics; Kenyan media and politics, media and political conflict. Finally, Chapter Five discusses cartoon communication and democracy, Role of cartooning in social justice and democracy, and cartoon communication and social justice in Kenya. This book has some chapters that are researched. It is an important book for college and university students.

Besides, the notion of the media as the pillar of democracy rests on the idea that the actions of state are represented, debated and evaluated in that public space, or what is commonly known as the public sphere (Habermas 1974). [...] 109Nyabuga: Devolved Power - The Role of the Media at the Grassroots in Kenya Public Participation and Consolidation of Democracy Communication, and the means through which mass communication is achieved, is one of the most fundamental aspects of transparent and accountable politics and democracy (cf. [...] In other words, while ordinary citizens indicate that the media is biased and incapable and/ 113Nyabuga: Devolved Power - The Role of the Media at the Grassroots in Kenya or unwilling to investigate and critique county government leadership, the leaders believe it has been critical to the "success" of devolution in Kenya for being "partners" in the articulation and advancement of rural or grassroo. [...] This is based on the fact that the media provides the channel for information dissemination while the county governments offer the media the information and monetary resources and support they need for their operations and survival. [...] Given the new political dispensation birthed by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the media was expected to play an important role particularly with regards to the scrutiny of county affairs and provision of information critical to the consolidation of democracy and attendant values such as transparency, responsibility and accountability, and the rule of law.

On 30th December 2008, the President of Kenya, His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, assented to the controversial Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2008 which commenced on 2nd January 2009. This Presidential move had a deep impact on the long discussions, arguments and negotiations that were already in high gear by October 2006, when the Fourth Annual Ethics Conference on Media and the Common Good was held at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya. The essays in this book make a case for media freedom as well as media responsibility. Let the media create a culture of truth. Let the media not forsake the citizens; let them seek and disseminate the truth; let them not destroy the education, virtues and faith for which so many have shed their blood in Kenya, Africa and elsewhere. May reason prevail, guided by wisdom towards Truth.

• Overview, Historical Background of Political System and Constitutional Developments in Kenya Constitutional Developments in Kenya • The Structure of Government in Kenya, the Role of the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and the Relationship between the National and County Governments • The Role of Political Parties, the Electoral Process and the Challenges of Conducting Free and Fair Elections in Kenya • Understanding the Concept of Corruption, the Impact of Corruption on Governance in Kenya and Anti-Corruption Efforts and Their Effectiveness • Overview, the Benefits, Challenges of Devolution and the Role of County Governments in Service Delivery • The Role of Ethnicity in Kenyan Politics, the Impact of Identity Politics on National Unity and Strategies for Promoting Unity and Cohesion in A Diverse Society • The Status, the Role of Civil Society in Promoting Human Rights and the Challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Kenya • The Role of the Media in Kenyan Politics, the Challenges of Media Freedom and Independence and the Impact of Social Media on Politics in Kenya

Kenya is one of the most politically dynamic and influential countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, it is known in equal measure as a country that has experienced great highs and tragic lows. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenya was seen as a ''success story" of development in the periphery, and also led the way in terms of democratic breakthroughs in 2010 when a new constitution devolved power and placed new constraints on the president. However, the country has also made international headlines for the kind of political instability that occurs when electoral violence is expressed along ethnic lines, such as during the "Kenya crisis" of 2007/08 when over 1,000 people lost their lives and almost 700,000 were displaced. The Oxford Handbook of Kenyan Politics explains these developments and many more, drawing together 50 specially commissioned chapters by leading researchers. The chapters they have contributed address a range of essential topics including the legacy of colonial rule, ethnicity, land politics, devolution, the constitution, elections, democracy, foreign aid, the informal economy, civil society, human rights, the International Criminal Court, the growing influence of China, economic policy, electoral violence, and the impact of mobile phone technology. In addition to covering some of the most important debates about Kenyan politics, the volume provides an insightful overview of Kenyan history from 1930 to the present day and features a set of chapters that review the impact of devolution on regional politics in every part of the country.