Ethnic clashes in Kenya were set off when a presidential election was widely rumored to be rigged by Mwai Kibaki, taking the presidency from his heavily favored opponent, Raila Odinga.
After Kibaki won the Dec. 30 elections by nearly 250,000 votes, Odinga called for immediate re-elections to be held and for Kibaki to step down.
When Kibaki refused the proposal, riots and attempted ethnic cleansing ensued in the streets of Nairobi and throughout the streets of the once peaceful country.
"Everyone said this isn't tribal, this isn't Hutus and Tutsis, this is prosperous harmonious Kenya," said Trevor Royle of the Sunday Herald. "Now that Kikuyu gangs are on the rampage the certainties have disappeared and there is a fear that the mayhem could spiral out of control."
Even with a peace deal announced Friday by former U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan and agreed upon by Kibaki and Odinga, fighting has not yet ceased.
With at least 13 fatalities since the announcement of the deal and in excess of 70 since Friday, U.S. State Department Assistant for African affairs, Jendayi Frazer, has officially labeled the conflicts taking place in Kenya to be ethnic cleansing.
Overall the death toll is nearing 1,000 with no end to the fighting currently in sight.
Let us not kid ourselves and think that this is an electoral problem. It's much broader and much deeper. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General
Meanwhile, more than a quarter of a million people have been forced from their homes by the fighting, shattering the nation's image of stability and damaging one of the continent's most promising economies.
"Let us not kid ourselves and think that this is an electoral problem. It's much broader and much deeper," Mr Annan said after visiting parts of the Rift Valley on Saturday.
A survey by a Kenyan newspaper showed that more than 70 percent of respondents called for the lifting of a ban on live broadcasts that has been in effect since the disputed election results.
The poll of 2,158 Kenyan citizens showed that 70.9 percent called to lift the ban and 29.1 percent were in favor of maintaining the ban in fear that live broadcasting by politicians could set off more attacks.
As Cyril Vanier of France24 asked, why won't the United Nations, African Union or other western organizations that once pushed democracy intervene?
The answer to that question is not simple but undoubtedly caused in part by the lack of media pressure on the mentioned government organizations.
Apparently, most major American media outlets consider the death of hundreds and the destabilization of one of Africa's most industrialized and affluent nations less important than ratings, revenue and the coverage pop-culture news.There is nothing wrong with mentioning celebrity news and giving information about popular events. However, respectable media companies should not be the main providers of such information.
The Kenyan's are just the latest to suffer the results of news companies chasing ratings and leaving true news on the backburners, instead of doing the right thing.
Comments
Derrick commented, on February 3, 2008 at 11:53 a.m.:
The American media won't mention it because this is where Barack Obama comes from. This mindless violence from his brethren would only hurt his chances of seizing power in America.
John commented, on February 3, 2008 at 3:53 p.m.:
the American media isn't covering it because the American public won't pay for it. Ratings are high on "reality" shows, ET and the like and all those other no-brainer presentations. Ratings for news are down and the media resorts to sensationalism and "britney" stories to attract audiences. The US is fat and dumb and, evidently, likes it that way. The Media is after money and the FCC relaxed the rules on Public Service presentations (under the republicans, I might add) until there is no meaningful requirement to present important issues. And, just because I'm on a rant, I might add that my local school system no longer teaches kids to write (cursive) so they won't be able to read handwriting or sign their names. The dumbing down of America is in full swing. No brains, no manufacturing, a third world money valuation, and no interest.
protejah commented, on February 3, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.:
Excellent article!
Note the link to this article from Google news was "down"... by accident? I wonder...
Sunny Meadow commented, on February 4, 2008 at 12:45 p.m.:
Violence is normal for black Africa. When there isn't violence, that would be newsworthy. People in the USA have enough exposure to black violence without watching it on television.
Eric commented, on February 4, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.:
Another African nation with rigged elections and violence.
You call that news?
abe lincoln commented, on February 4, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.:
barak obama comes from the swimming pool in the honybucket not kenya. he can be seen there swimming with the cosby kids..
brendan commented, on February 4, 2008 at 11:23 p.m.:
Has anyone looked at the NY Times, the LA Times? there are a lot of American journalists covering the events and developments on a daily basis.
what is this thing you call the Amerian media?
Jessie commented, on February 4, 2008 at 11:31 p.m.:
Kenya is, of course, an African nation but only those who have been watching too much Entertainment Tonight to get another peek @ Britany being hauled off to rehab would think that all African nation nations are the same. Each country is unique with its own political landscape. If an entire nation's existence isn't news then just switch over to the World Championship of Poker and don't confuse yourself with details of the world.
Sam commented, on February 4, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.:
NY Times search for Kenya in the past 90 days, brings up 138 stories. Search for Britney Spears brings up over 300.
LA Times search for Kenya brings up 43 articles. Britney Spears 44.
Plus take a look at CNN, Fox News, MSNBC...maybe 30 second blurbs about Kenya, Darfur, etc. Like on Bill O'reilly, the stupid body language 'expert' gets more time than the African continent altogether.
Kat commented, on February 5, 2008 at 10:25 a.m.:
I also saw your article posted on glennbeck.com (from CNN Headline news) yesterday - congratulations on an outstanding article for you and its good for the TN Journalist and UT also!
Joe commented, on February 24, 2008 at 7:48 p.m.:
NY Times has daily updates on Kenya. What are you talking about???? Jeffrey Gettleman from the Times has been there reporting on this before the election was stolen. Maybe more of our media doesn't cover this since there isn't any oil there thus giving this the same level of concern for our government as the genocides in Dafur and Rawanda?? Get real.
tony commented, on February 25, 2008 at 1:51 a.m.:
am from kenya and thing is you guys are self indulgent and have no idea what the hell is going on here and kenya is not just not another african nation its the, with the definate article THE, african country and either america covers our plight or not it doesnt matter we will pull through coz of course we are kenyans!!!
Frank commented, on February 26, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.:
Joe,
Look when the article was written. It was nearly three weeks ago, when it was published there was little to no coverage from the Times, Fox, CNN or anyone else worth mentioning. Yes, Gettleman is writing about the conflicts and has been for monhts...but how many of his stories have been put on the front page, or considered headline news?
None that I've seen. And being a Kenya native and now a journalism student in the states, I've been looking closely.