This archive report was first published on 9 September 2021.
On a typical Kenyan news cycle, a journalist lands an exclusive interview with a politician, often at a luxurious venue. The power dynamics heavily favor the politician, who is more articulate and confident. The journalist, on the other hand, appears uneasy and punctuates their questions with titles such as 'Mheshimiwa' or 'Excellency.'
As a result, the interview becomes an address by the politician, with the journalist providing helpful promptings. This setup fails to provide a nuanced understanding of issues, instead offering a one-sided and simplistic version of events.
By contrast, interviews in other jurisdictions, such as those with Trump-era officials, were debates between equals. Journalists would counter alternative truths and falsehoods with facts and history, presenting counter narratives to the politician's views.
In Kenya, politicians often attribute community challenges to the actions of another politician or community. They claim that prosecution of thieves is persecution of their ethnic group, or that their political ambitions are sanctioned by God. The media has become a platform for these wild claims, revisionist histories, and misrepresentation of facts.
Furthermore, Kenyan media fail to reframe the terms of the political debate, instead focusing on who is likely to get what percentage of the ethnic vote. This lack of critical analysis has led to a media that serves as a purveyor of political propaganda and toxicity.
Tee Ngugi is a Nairobi-based political commentator.
