The discourse of televised political news interviews and ethnic polarization in Kenya Lillian Kemunto Omoke A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of Doctor Philosophy in Applied Communication and Media Technology in the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 2017 DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university. Signature ________________________ Date_______________________ Lillian Kemunto Omoke This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors. Signature ___________________ Date ________________________ Dr. Hellen Mberia, PhD JKUAT, KENYA Signature_______________________ Date________________________ Margaret Jjuuko, PhD University of Rwanda, Rwanda ii DEDICATION I wish to dedicate this work to my late grandmother, Mary Mosero, my parents, my husband, my children, Annan and Neema and my siblings for their prayers and support. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First, I would like to thank The Almighty God above for His constant and limitless providence of resources, good health and wisdom. Secondly, I acknowledge the efforts of my parents, Samuel Omoke Mirieri and Grace Mokeira, who sacrificed pleasure to see that myself and my five siblings received proper schooling. Their insistence on good performance, discipline and confidence saw us love education to date. I also thank my mother-in law, Tabitha Ndege for all the support she has given me through the whole period and my grandfather, the late Victor Kebaso and my grandmother, Pauline Ondieki who kept encouraging me all through. I would also like to thank my siblings, Gilbert Nyamweya Omoke (the diligent lawyer who set the academic pace for us), Irene Kwamboka Omoke (the great sociologist), Damaris Nyamokami Omoke (the accountant), Japheth Omae Omoke (the patient teacher) and Dickson Morara Omoke (yet another diligent lawyer) and my aunt-sister, Asenath Kebaso. They have encouraged me, took care of me and supported me in all aspects. I fondly acknowledge my two domestic managers, Moraa and Mosiara, without whose support I would not have managed to put the required time to this study. Kenyatta University has indeed been a home where I have learned and acquired a lot. I would like to thank these departments that always gave me an opportunity to work with them: Educational Communication Technology, English and Linguistics, Theatre Arts, Communication and Media and Security and Correction Science departments. Specifically, I would like to thank the following for their insight during the period of my study: Dr. Adelheid Bwire, Dr. Phylis Mwangi, Dr. Purity Nthiga, Dr. Lucy Maina, Dr, John Mugubi, Dr. Emmanuel Shikuku and Dr. George King’ara. I would also like to mention these colleauges who always cheered me on: Millicent Oyore, Gladys Nyambura, Dr. George Andima, Dr. Lydia Wangungu, Dr. Augustus Nyakundi, Joshua iv Itumo, Purity Gathigia, Joyce Nyaguthii, Caroline Manyeki, Ann Munuku, Jackline Kilel, Stephene Sanya and Raphael Ogutu. My friends have also been pillars in this journey: Marylyne Mwasaru, the twins, Renah Mokaya and Lydia Mokaya. May God bless you. My students too often reminded me that I needed to accomplish this task by referring to me as ‘Doctor Lillian’. I also thank the women of Newlife Seventh Day Adventist church for constant prayers. My sincere gratitude goes to my husband, Frank Mogire, who persevered my long absence from home as I worked on this project. Our children, Annan Mosomi (mediator) and Neema Mokeira understood when I couldn’t give them all the attention a mother should give to her children. They kept wondering when I would become a doctor and start working in the hospital! The same goes to my Aunt Evelyne Ndege (the great musician) for continuous encouragement and Dismas Ndege for a lot of cheering on- it bore fruits. Lastly and importantly, I would like to recognize my distinguished supervisors, Dr. Hellen Mberia and Dr. Margaret Jjuuko who worked tirelessly to see the end of this endeavor. Great thanks to you Dr. Margaret that even though you were far, you patiently read my work in electronic format and gave me invaluable advice. Thank you Dr. Mberia for your relentless help, both academic and administrative. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ........................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... xi LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................... xii LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... xiii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................................................. xiv DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS. ......................................................................... xv ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ xvi CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................... 17 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 17 1.1 Background of the study .................................................................................................... 17 1.2 Statement of the problem .................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Research objectives ............................................................................................................. 11 1.3.1 General objective .......................................................................................................... 12 1.3.2 Specific objectives ........................................................................................................ 12 1.4 Research questions .............................................................................................................. 12 1. 5 Justification of the study. ................................................................................................... 13 1.6 Scope of the study ............................................................................................................... 14 1.7 Limitations of the study ....................................................................................................... 15 vi CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 17 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Theoretical review .............................................................................................................. 17 2.2.1 Media Framing Theory ................................................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Theory of discourse and ideology................................................................................. 22 2.3 Conceptual framework ........................................................................................................ 29 2.4 Review of variables ............................................................................................................. 31 2.4.1 Ethnic Polarization........................................................................................................ 31 2.4.2.1 Ethnic Polarization in Kenya ..................................................................................... 36 2.4.2 Linguistic features in political news interviews ...................................................... 37 2.4.3 Discursive practices of televised political news interviews ......................................... 41 2.4.4 Media Framing and Polarization ...................................................................................... 44 2.4.5 Socio-cultural practices surrounding the televised political news interview. ............... 45 2.5 Empirical review of related studies ..................................................................................... 46 2.6 Critique of existing literature .............................................................................................. 50 2.7 Identified research gaps ....................................................................................................... 52 2.8 Summary of chapter two ..................................................................................................... 52 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 53 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 53 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................