FAILURES OF OUR POLITICAL TALK SHOWS AND A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Contenders and Pretenders for the Key Address in Kenya

Coming to the wire, we must consider the effect of these coming presidential debates. As they may very well play a huge role in determining the next Commander in Chief of this our young democracy, and maybe just maybe will inform the electorate to adopt a policy driven election. 

The race is tight between the two sons of our founding duo as the old adage, history repeats itself. This time however it plays out in real time, though to a way more polarized nation than it was 50 years ago.

Just as it was half a century ago, the winner will have the unique opportunity to chart the path for our people under a new dispensation. There in is the importance of the debates, to further illuminate the agenda these men and women are offering to 38 million of us in terms of leadership.  

Other than the criteria for selection of an audience which remains a mystery, you can almost be certain there will most likely be an absence of the simple Man on the Street. 

a question of more pressing concern to me is Who will moderate and how will that moderator be selected?

Mainstream media will no doubt have its way and take charge of the process. With the owners and associations writing the rules and building the entire process legitimacy becomes an issue. 

This is due to the undisputed fact- many of our politicians do own these very media houses, chief among them are the sons of Kenyatta and Odinga. Let alone their several big money surrogates and supporters who are in media. 

With Kass FM's Mr. Sang, standing accused at the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity, the power of the media cannot be under looked, and the importance of transparency in the entire process will play a key role in breaking socio-cultural chains rampant in the villages and towns around our country.

It is thus an important question to ponder, who will moderate and what is the selection criteria?

The Contenders and Pretenders  

NTV has without a doubt done a great service (don't tell them I said this) in airing the gubernatorial debates- albeit half baked at times. Linus Kaikai though an accomplished journalist lacks a killer mentality when it comes to question selection and falls short even further in the duty of keeping them honest, much like James Smart and his interview sessions.

Their line of questions invariably fall along a generic line that a high school graduate can ask. They raise neither provocative nor penetrative issues nor offer any new insights that can truly make you gush. Makes you wonder about the capabilities of researchers at behind the shows.

James Smart's THE TREND had an excellent outing on Friday 20/10, this was however more a testament of the quality of the guests, in the Red corner TNA sent in-Mr. Oloo to the ring against comedian-cum-political extraordinaire John Kiarie. 

The epic duel I dare say if TNA and ODM were to stand the test of time would provide excellent political fights down the line on ideological lines and not tribal.

K.J took the day however, with the TNA man coming off as bitter and at points just he came off as a spin doctor, who can't tell which way is up if it doesn't tally with party lies but I digress this is about quality hosts for the debate.

news presenter maina kageni

KTN has interesting morning shows that focus on quite a large range of issues. The inspirational sections are quite uplifting. My only qualm with the presenters is the quality of research. The shows gravitate towards shallow run on the mill type questions and offer nothing of genuine weight. 

It is more of a platform of self expression than interview offering genuine enlightenment. Furthermore KTN hosts please know the lingo in the sector, if its financial or otherwise, makes for a much better conversation.

The King of the forest of Kenyan talk shows Mr. All Kenyan, All The Time- Jeff Koinange has etched his name in infamy as top dog in that pound, sure enough K24 carries several great talk shows, none however can hold a match to THE BENCH. 

He too however, is guilty of his competitors' sins, giving us a polished gloss over of events and not an incisive discussion on issues affecting me, the Man on The Street.

Caroline Mutoko who to many was the Voice of the Voiceless has since lost the fire in her belly that made me for one an ardent listener of her morning shows, as she would inform and entertain the masses with great interviews. I still recall a show hosting Mwalimu Mati. The fire in her belly has since died out it would seem- much to my disappointment.

I would love to add other contenders to this list but popular Maina Kageni is more of a very interesting comic which is excellent for a chuckle in the morning but hardly a sober moderator to entrust with the first of our national debates.

The best option it would appear is the beautiful and intelligent Julie Gichuru of Citizen and the premier news show Sunday Live. She offers well researched stories and is an excellent purveyor of news stories. My top two pick would then in the dynamic Duo of Julie with the possibility of the legendary, forever young Kathleen Kasavuli making a most timely comeback to mark the transition to what is the next generation of Kenyan politics. 

The only problem with a majority of the national media is the political underpinnings that are overlain by their "independent" and "non partisan" character.