Analysis of Media Ownership Patterns and Political Campaigns Coverage in Kenya

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to analyse media ownership patterns and political campaigns coverage in Kenya. The Kenya’s media sector stands out as a highly influential and profitable industry, attracting interest from political elites, business and religious organizations. However, media owners hold significant power in dictating editorial policies, which then determines how information is packaged and disseminated to the public. This means media owners are in a position to decide which information becomes publicly accessible and which remains obscured. Besides, politicians perceive the media industry as an operative tool for electoral advancement. The paper is aimed at answering three questions. 1) How does ownership structures influence political campaigns coverage in Kenya? 2) How does ownership structures influence editorial policies and reporting of political news? 3) What is the role of regulatory institutions in promoting accountability and transparency in ownership