Role of Community Radio in Peace Building Among the Youth: a Case Study of Pamoja Fm in Kibra, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the role of community radio in peace building among the youth of Kibra. It focused on Pamoja FM, a community radio serving the residents of Kibra in Nairobi, Kenya. Its objectives were: to find out the radio’s progrmmes meant to promote peace among the youth, to investigate the parties used by Pamoja FM to advance peace and to investigate the messages used by the Pamoja FM to encourage peace in Kibra. The research was a case study whose data was collected through questionnaires from 400 respondents from Kibra constituency. The questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive analysis and presented through tables and graphs. Content analysis was also done on the broadcast content over the period covering June to August, 2017. For the content analysis, a purposive sample of 10 audios were analyzed and were triangulated with interviews of two key informants. The results of the study revealed that Pamoja FM had peace broadcast content that was aired throughout the day and also specifically youth tailored peace content in discussions aired during the afternoon show. A majority, 52% of the youths listened to the “Afternoon Youth Show”. It was also noted that 39% of the youth preferred the involvement of known community members in disseminating peace content, 24% participated through radio call-ins whereas 5% preferred music as a delivery strategy. Generally, 70% of the youth felt that the parties covered by Pamoja FM encouraged peace and co-existence through encouraging them to be more tolerant of other community members and influencing them to become peace advocates within their community. Despite the many players in community peace building, this study concludes that community radios are vital communication tools that remain undisputed in promotion of peace and cohesion among community members especially the youth. The study recommends allocation of more time to the afternoon youth show to facilitate more talks/ discussion on peace in the program.