This research analyses Safaricom, one of the most established mobile operators in Kenya. Alongside the provision of mobile services, Safaricom has closely engaged with the government of Kenya, even getting involved in the nation’s politics. This study examines Safaricom’s advertisements from 2010-2014 to explore its use of national sentiment in its marketing. We argue that the ads reflect a commitment to promoting the country and its products through discourses of ‘commercial nationalism’, which present Safaricom as a driver of economic growth and development in Kenya. These discourses link Kenyan identity and distinctiveness to consumerism, commercial and economic success, profit and upward social mobility.
We argue that slum tourist media exemplify a distinct and growing narrative genre about posthumanitarian travel: ironic encounters. In ironic encounters, Global North tourists construct a humanitarian Self through their firsthand engagement with suffering in the Global South. In these stories, tourists present their travels as essential for coveted experiential knowledge while depicting locals as the true beneficiaries of the tourists' self‐discovery. We examine 3 high‐profile texts produced by visitors of Kibera, a densely populated low‐income community in Nairobi, Kenya: the BBC special Famous, Rich and in the Slums, the book Megaslumming, and a White House slideshow about Jill Biden's tour of Kibera. Emblematic of ironic encounters, these texts ultimately justify slum tourism as a humanitarian act.
Their works, guidance and support have propelled me in my journey through academic life. In particular, Dr. Tully's advice helped me to refine my thought process to the study of mobile money and development in Kenya. I appreciate her availability to review my dissertation drafts. In addition, the research projects we have worked on together have positively influenced my academic career immensely. I also want to thank Dr. Brian Ekdale for the moral support and for being a great research collaborator. I could not have made it to the Doctoral program without the help of Dr. Samuel Mwangi and Dr. Nancy Muturi, for advising me during the Master's program at Kansas State University. In particular, Dr. Muturi shaped my research interests by introducing me to the field of communication for social change and development. I owe the deepest gratitude, appreciation, and love to my wife Eve, our daughter Berur and my family in Kenya for their sacrifice, encouragement and unflinching support-thanks to all my friends and colleagues with whom we have shared ideas. This research would not have been possible without the input of the people of Chepkoilel in Kenya-I want to thank all the informants who shared their stories and welcomed me into their homes and in their community. They are the reason I was able to complete this dissertation. To them all I say kongoi.
This research analyzes Uongozi, a massive multimodal civic education campaign that culminated in the Uongozi reality television show, situating the campaign within its sociopolitical context. Our analysis suggests that Uongozi framed and promoted a version of leadership that is tied to an idealized progressive, youth leader despite the lack of quality youth 'candidates' on the show. The campaign also endorsed a message of national unity and identity, articulated through the promotion of a nonethnic collective Kenyan identity. Uongozi contributed to a larger pre-election narrative promulgated through mass media efforts that encouraged Kenyans to move beyond ethnicity in their voting and participate in a peaceful election.
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