An assessment of community radio in the context of rural development in Kenya

295 Pages·2014·1.77 MB·English

by  Ochichi James Pharaoh,

AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN THE
CONTEXT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA

JAMES PHARAOH OCHICHI
K90/92842/2013

A THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF
PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS
COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

DECEMBER 2014
DECLARATION
This thesis is my original work and has not been presented to any other university for a degree.
Any work done by other people has been duly acknowledged. It has been examined by a board of
examiners of the University of Nairobi.

___________________________________ ________________________
JAMES PHARAOH OCHICHI DATE

This thesis has been presented to the University of Nairobi with our approval as the supervisors.

________________________________ ______________________
PROF. ROBERT WHITE DATE

________________________________ _____________________
DR. HEZRON MOGAMBI DATE

ii
DEDICATION
My family, for their support and encouragement

iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My sincere thanks go to my supervisor, Prof. Robert White, and the director of the School of
Journalism and Mass Communication, Dr. Wambui Kiai, for their guidance. A note of gratitude
goes to my second supervisor, Dr. Hezron Mogambi, for his motivation. I am also grateful to the
2011 PhD cohort: Silas Oriaso and Sam Kamau (now PhD holders); James Oranga, Samson
Osanya, Charles Owino and Dorothy Omollo. Their ideas proved very valuable to me. I also
benefitted from the generosity of Prof. Peter Kareithi, Joel Ngetich, Collins Wagumba, Moses
Araya and Isaac Lagama. While Ngetich and Wagumba assisted me to acquire certain rare
reading materials, Araya and Lagama proved reliable linkmen. Prof. Kareithi of Pennsylvania
State University Harrisburg, USA provided not only reading materials that were very useful, but
also offered me very pertinent advice.

However, without the cooperation of the following station managers, editors and presenters of
the community radio stations I studied, frankly this work would not have become a reality: Peter
Kaleke, Francis Sintei Supeyo and Musa Lakanet of Radio Oltoilo Lemaa; Mosly Njoga of Gulf
Radio; Yonah Mandu of Sahara Radio; George Mwamodo and Solomon Muingi of Radio
Mwanedu; Simon Nyang’au of Kisima Radio; Seth Oloo and Javan Onano of Radio Lake
Victoria; Meshack Nyamai and Esther Mbole of Radio Mang’elete; and Reuben Mukindia of
Mugambo Jwetu Community Radio.

Further, I am deeply indebted to the development officers of Homa Bay, Kisumu, Makueni,
Meru, Narok, Nyamira, Taita Taveta and Vihiga counties. Their work enriched this study a great
deal. Furthermore, I am appreciative of the efforts of Mr. Zachary Chililswa of Hekima College
and Njuki Githethwa and Faith of Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET).

For sure, many people, including my family, students and lecturers of Kenya Institute of Mass
Communication, contributed to this work in one way or another; their assistance is priceless. It is
impossible to remember each and everyone who gave me a hand; but let me unreservedly
register my sincere thanks to all of them. For any shortcomings in this study, I am entirely to
blame.
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ABSTRACT
This study was motivated by the fact that there were over 30 community radio (CR) stations in Kenya,
and yet nearly all the areas covered by these stations were beset by a myriad of socio-economic,
environmental, political and other problems, thus raising a pertinent question: Were these stations
operating the way real CR ought to, leading their broadcasting communities into addressing their socio-
economic, environmental and political problems, but these problems existed because of other factors? Or,
were these stations just commercial, but masquerading as CRs? The study was therefore necessitated by
this inquisitiveness: wanting to know whether CR played its rightful role, or whether something else was
to blame for the state of affairs in many rural communities ravaged by all sorts of developmental
problems. The study hence sought to assess the contribution of CR for rural development in Kenya. The
study employed cross-sectional mixed method design and the theoretical framework was participatory
communication. Data collection was in two stages. The first stage saw data collected from eight CR
stations selected through multi-stage (cluster) sampling. The data gathered, studied and analysed informed
the next stage in which four CR stations: two “successful” and two “unsuccessful” were selected from the
eight for further study. A facilitative model of CR constructed by this study and factors influencing a
successful CR, as espoused by various scholars, were used to rank the CR stations as “successful” and
“unsuccessful”. Whereas in-depth interviews and direct observation methods were used in the first phase,
data gathering techniques employed in the second phase were focus group discussions and survey.
Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques and
then presented in tables and narrations, indirect and direct speech. The findings of the study established
that CR in Kenya had made a moderate contribution in rural development. The study concluded that the
stations failed to foster participatory development and programmes were produced by the CR staff,
without incorporating the efforts of the communities. However, to some extent, the stations facilitated the
process of sharing of development information. The recommendations included: enhancement of
community participation in programme production and in the management of the stations; creation of a
strong network of CRs in Kenya; the focus of CR be on a small area, preferably 50 square kilometres;
production of more interactive programmes; and carrying out of research to inform programme-making.
The beneficiaries of the study would be policymakers, CR practitioners and the academia.

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ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS
ACDM: Africa Community Development Media
AMARC: World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters
CDF: Constituency Development Fund
CCK: Communications Commission of Kenya
CR: Community Radio
CRAK: Community Radio Association of Kenya
CRs: Community Radio Stations
DFRD: District Focus for Rural Development
FGDs: Focus Group Discussions
HIV/AIDS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ICT: Information, Communications and Technology
KMNET: Kenya Community Media Network
KMD: Kenya Meteorological Department
M & E: Monitoring and Evaluation
NGO: Non-governmental Organization
NIB: National Irrigation Board
OALD: Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary
PC: Participatory Communication
PD: Participatory Development
PDC: Participatory Development Communication
PRD: Participatory Rural Development
SWOT: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
UNESCO: United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNHCR: United Nations High Commission for Refugee

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION........................................................................................................................... ii
DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... v
ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS ...................................................................................... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... vii
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ x
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... xii
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY ........................................................ xiii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1
1.1 Outline................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Background to the Study ....................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................ 3
1.4 General Objective ................................................................................................................. 4
1.5 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 4
1.6 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................... 5
1.7 Rationale of the study ........................................................................................................... 7
1.8 Scope or Delimitations .......................................................................................................... 9
1.9 Limitation of the Study ......................................................................................................... 9
1.10 Definition of Key Terms ................................................................................................... 11
1.11 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 11
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK..... 12
2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................. 12
2.2 Development of Community Radio .................................................................................... 12
2.3 Empowering Rural Lower-Status People............................................................................ 16
2.4 Introduction to National Development Models .................................................................. 20
2.5 Participatory Development Model ...................................................................................... 33
2.6 Factors Influencing Successful Community Radio............................................................. 57
2.7 Facilitating Model of Community Radio ............................................................................ 67
2.8 Is Radio really the Magic Bullet? ....................................................................................... 75
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2.9 Rural Development ............................................................................................................. 79
2.10 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................... 83
2.11 Gaps Identified During Literature Review ....................................................................... 87
2.12 Propositions....................................................................................................................... 90
2.13 Conceptual Framwork ....................................................................................................... 91
2.14 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 93
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ......................................................... 94
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 94
3.2 Research Design.................................................................................................................. 94
3.3 Profiles of counties covered by the community radio studied ............................................ 96
3.4 Target Population .............................................................................................................. 105
3.5 Sampling Procedure .......................................................................................................... 105
3.6 Data Collection Methods .................................................................................................. 107
3.7 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 110
3.8 Ethical Issues .................................................................................................................... 111
3.9 Validity & Reliability ....................................................................................................... 112
3.10 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 113
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION . 114
4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 114
4.2 Phase one: Presentation of In-depth interview Findings................................................... 114
4.3 Analysis and Interpretation of of In-depth Findings ......................................................... 160
4.4 Notable Contributions that emerged from in-depth interviews ........................................ 163
4.5 First Phase: Presentation, Analysis & Interpretation of Observation Findings ................ 177
4.6 Popularity of the Community Radio ................................................................................. 184
4.7 Ideal Community Radio Factors Used to Select Four Stations......................................... 186
4.8 Second Phase: Presentation, Analysis & Interpretation of FGDs & Survey Findings from
Four CRs ................................................................................................................................. 188
4.9 Presentation, Analysis & Interpretation of Survey Findings from four CRs .................... 200
4.10 Methodological Triangulation ........................................................................................ 213
4.11 Discussion of Key Findings ............................................................................................ 215

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CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............ 230
5.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 230
5.2 The Summary of Key Findings ......................................................................................... 231
5.3 Conclusion of the Study .................................................................................................... 232
5.4 Contribution to Theory & Research .................................................................................. 234
5.5 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 236
5.6 Summary of the Heart of the Problem of CR in Kenya .................................................... 242
5.7 Suggestions for Further Research ..................................................................................... 249
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... 250
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................... 261
APPENDIX I: An Interview Guide for CR Personnel ............................................................ 261
APPENDIX II: Focus Group Discussions Guide ................................................................... 264
APPENDIX III: Questionnaire for Listeners .......................................................................... 265
APPENDIX IV: Observation Protocol ................................................................................... 271
APPENDIX V: Radio Reach & Share .................................................................................... 273
APPENDIX V: People’s Communication Charter ................................................................. 278
APPENDIX VI: Letter of Intent ............................................................................................. 282

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Community Radio in Kenya ......................................................................................... 14
Table 2.2 Public Irrigation Schemes ............................................................................................. 27
Table 2.3 New Large Scale Irrigation Schemes Earmarked for Construction .............................. 29
Table 3.1 Summary of Facts of the Eight Counties covered by the Studied Radio .................... 104
Table 4.1 Eight Selected Community Radio Stations by using Cluster Sampling Method ........ 114
Table 4.2 Mugambo Jwetu Programme Menu ............................................................................ 118
Table 4.3 Radio Mang’elete Programme Menu .......................................................................... 125
Table 4.4 Gulf Radio Programme Menu..................................................................................... 131
Table 4.5 Radio Mwanedu Programme Menu ............................................................................ 139
Table 4.6 Radio Oltoilo Lemaa Programme Menu ..................................................................... 146
Table 4.7 Radio Kisima Programme Menu ................................................................................ 151
Table 4.8 Radio Lake Victoria Programme Menu ...................................................................... 155
Table 4.9 Radio Sahara Programme Menu ................................................................................. 159
Table 4.10 Whether the Radio Achieved Research Objectives (In-depth Interviews) ............... 175
Table 4.11 Whether the Radio Achieved Research Objectives (Observation) ........................... 181
Table 4.12 Whether the Radio Achieved Research Objectives (Focus Group Discussions) ...... 198
Table 4.13 Level of Education of Respondents .......................................................................... 201
Table 4.14 Preferred Radio Stations ........................................................................................... 203
Table 4.15 Whether respondents knew what CR is ................................................................... 203
Table 4.16 What respondents understood by the term ‘CR’ ....................................................... 204
Table 4.17 Whether respondents knew if there was a CR station in their community ............... 204
Table 4.18 Could the respondents name their their radio stations? ........................................... 204
Table 4.19 Whether respondents were involved in programme-production............................... 205
Table 4.20 Whether respondents listened to their CR stations ................................................... 205
Table 4.21 How long respondents listened to their CR stations ................................................. 205
Table 4.22 Whether CR stations were accessible ....................................................................... 206
Table 4.23 Whether CR stations were essential .......................................................................... 206
Table 4.24 Benefits of CR .......................................................................................................... 207
Table 4.25 Popular CR Programmes .......................................................................................... 207
Table 4.26 What made programmes popular .............................................................................. 207
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