ROLE OF FAITH-BASED RADIO PROGRAMMING IN STRATEGIC PEACEBUILDING DURING KENYA’S 2022 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the role of faith-based radio programming in strategic peacebuilding during Kenya’s 2022 general elections. Specifically, the study aimed to: determine the existing faith-based radio programs aired and their effectiveness in strategic peacebuilding; examine the thematic focus of peace messages disseminated by faith-based radio stations; establish the role of editorial policies of faith-based radio stations in strategic peacebuilding, and; investigate the challenges faced by faith-based radio stations in strategic peacebuilding, all with a focus on Kenya’s 2022 general elections. The study was anchored on the tenets of the peace journalism theory, the libertarian theory of mass media, and the social responsibility theory of mass media, and it adopted a pragmatist research philosophy. A mixed methods research approach, dominantly integrating qualitative procedures and embedding quantitative techniques was adopted. The study applied the concurrent embedded mixed methods design where the primary method was qualitative, while the embedded/secondary method was quantitative, to support and enrich the findings. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, a key informant interview, and a semi-structured questionnaire. A quantitative approach was only used to provide descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and counts. Purposive sampling was used to select seven faith-based radio stations, as well as the sample size of one hundred and nineteen (119) respondents comprising program directors, presenters, producers, and listeners. Results were presented using a combination of narratives, graphs, charts and tables. The study found out that faith based radio programming played a vital role in promoting peace during Kenya’s 2022 general elections. By drawing on religion’s moral authority, community trust, and wide listenership, these stations discouraged inflammatory rhetoric and encouraged dialogue and reconciliation. Although faith-based radio effectively combines spiritual guidance with civic education, its contribution remains under recognized in policy and academic discussions. Persistent challenges such as financial constraints, political bias, and limited government support hinder its full potential. Greater recognition, regulatory support, and journalist training are essential to strengthen its role in strategic peacebuilding during elections.