Citizen most influential TV in war against graft EACC report

As the country gears towards sensitization of the populace on anti-graft measures, concerns have arisen over the anti-graft body EACC’s ability to reach the public through its communication strategy. According to findings released by the body, the media appears to be the top source for information on corruption with Citizen TV topping the list.

Radio media is rated the highest source of such information with communication materials of EACC posting dismal performance.

According to the EACC report, radio stations reach nine in every ten people. A total of 5,260 households were interviewed between August and October last year.

In the radio category, a collection of vernacular radio stations reach at least four in every ten people at a percentage of 46 percent. Radio Citizen, owned by the Royal Media Services is second at 23.6%, but the leading independent station that is a source to information on corruption trends.

59.4 percent of respondents indicated to consume news and information about graft from the television media with Citizen TV leading the pack with a viewership of 59.6 percent, followed distantly by the Kenya Television Network at 18.1 percent. Other stations are KBC, NTV, K24 TV and Sayare TV in that order.

The media coverage of graft related matters has in recent past led to drastic actions by government and government officials. In November last year, then Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru yielded to pressure against her Ministry’s involvement in the loss of at least 791 million shillings from the National Youth Service (NYS).

The EACC, however, has posted dismal performance in its efforts to reach the public. Only seven out of every 100 of those interviewed have seen or read informational materials of the anti-graft body.

The EACC on Tuesday released a report indication that 74 percent of Kenyans perceive the country to be highly corrupt with bribe taking and giving ranking high at 96 percent.