Sema Kenya Television and Radio Show

According to Sema Kenya, the show's format allows the audience to decide the topics for debate and directly question authorities on important issues. People have their say on what should be discussed every step of the way, and given a chance to get answers to issues that matter to them. Sema Kenya is presented by journalist Joseph Warungu, the former head of the BBC’s African news and current affairs department where he was responsible for the show Focus On Africa.

The show is also intended to raise awareness of the complexity of the 2013 elections, when six ballots will take place on the same day, rather than the usual three. Kenyans will elect the president, members of parliament, senators, county governors, women representatives, and county assembly members. Sema Kenya will also explore and discuss recent electoral reforms and the country’s new constitution.

Between broadcasts, the discussion will continue throughout the country on the internet, through the Sema Kenya website, SMS, and theSema Kenya facebook page, building on the fact that 64% of Kenyans have access to a mobile phone and are some of the highest users of Twitter on the continent. Sema Kenya is working with local civil society organisations to give communities with low media access a voice in the debate. Training and capacity-building partnerships are also underway with three vernacular stations to support presenters and programme makers.

BBC Media Action research in early 2012 found that some of the issues of greatest concern to the Kenyan public are unemployment, the high cost of living, loyalty to ethnic groups rather than the state, poverty, and corruption. BBC research also found that people are frustrated about the barriers between them and their leaders and a lack of official accountability.

Governance, Elections