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Articles · Vol. 42 No 4 (2017): Afrique et développement: Numéro spécial sur : « Émergence » à l’écran et sur scène

Devolved Power: A Critical Interrogation of the Place, Roles and Obligations of the Media at the Grassroots in Kenya

Vol. 42 · 2017 N°4 Afrique et développement: Numéro spécial sur : « Émergence » à l’écran et sur scène AD

Résumé

La promulgation d’une nouvelle constitution en août 2010 a ouvert un nouveau chapitre de l’histoire politique du Kenya. La constitution a mis en place diverses actions, l’une des plus importantes étant la création de gouvernements locaux de comtés, avec le transfert effectif aux collectivités du pouvoir et de la prise de décisions concomitante. Les comtés ont été confrontés à une myriade de problèmes depuis les élections générales de mars 2013, mais il est généralement reconnu qu’ils ont contribué à des réalisations politiques et économiques et au développement. L’optimisme s’est toutefois estompé en raison d’une mauvaise gouvernance. De plus, les médias censés aider à faire progresser la transparence, la reddition des comptes, le constitutionnalisme et la démocratie semblent émasculés, pour diverses raisons, notamment la tolérance à la liberté de la presse et l’incapacité et / ou le refus des journalistes de demander des comptes aux gouvernements des comtés et à leurs dirigeants. Cet article examine de manière critique la couverture médiatique du processus de décentralisation et s’interroge sur la capacité et l’efficacité des média en matière de promotion de la responsabilité, du constitutionnalisme et de la démocratie au niveau des comtés au Kenya.

Devolved Power: A Critical Interrogation of the Place, Roles and Obligations of the Media at the Grassroots in Kenya

The promulgation of a new Constitution in August 2010 opened a new chapter in Kenya’s political history. The constitution set in motion various actions, one of the most critical being the creation of county governments, effectively devolving power and attendant decision-making to the grassroots. Whilst the counties have faced myriad problems since the March 2013 general election, there is an overarching view that they have helped deliver political and economic goodies and development. The optimism is, however, dimming due to poor governance. Moreover, the media that is supposed to help advance transparency, accountability, constitutionalism and democracy seems emasculated due to various reasons including intolerance to press freedom, and the journalists’ inability and/or unwillingness to hold county governments and their leadership to account. This article critically examines the media’s coverage of the devolution process, and interrogates its capacity and efficacy in promoting accountability, constitutionalism and democracy at the county level in Kenya.

Mots-clés

médias décentralisation gouvernements de comté responsabilité démocratie

Statistiques

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Biographie de l'auteur/ice

  • George Nyabuga

    Senior Lecturer, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
    Email: gnyabuga@uonbi.ac.ke

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Dans le même numéro

Vol. 42 No 4 (2017): Afrique et développement: Numéro spécial sur : « Émergence » à l’écran et sur scène →