ABSTRACT

The researcher was prompted to find out the role of media particularly the community radio stations, if they really report election events like mobilization of voter registration, influence on choices of parties, holding opinion polls, candidate interviews, and party advertisements during national elections in Kenya. The research was carried out with the following objectives which were to examine the media in the coverage of national elections in Kisumu District of Kenya. To analyze influence of media to the voters in making informed choices of parties and candidates they wish to support during elections. To find out the associate relationship between the media, Electoral Commission and the government of Kenya towards realization of free and fair election. And to determine constraints that face journalist during elections coverage in Kenya. The researcher used questionnaires and interview guides and after data was collected using tranquilization formulae which involved grouping different methods of collecting data which included structured interview using interview schedule, in-depth interview in form of interview guide, focused group discussion using discussion guide, questionnaires and observation. The findings also indicates that media programs citizen participation programs that are inevitable since voters learn to bring politicians answerable to some issues of public interests. This is because voters ask specific questions which demand direct answers from their political candidates and since these contestants wish to be elected, they find themselves trapped to answer such questions during voters' participation election programs. Such programs are the best when it comes to finding opinions in fact finding on how voters, parties The researcher recommended that the government and the media through the media council of Kenya should work closely to eliminate or significantly reduce breaches of law and public trust by a section of the mass media.