This research proposal examines how new media technologies like the internet are impacting politics and civic participation in Kenya. While theories about digital technology and democracy tend to exclude the African experience, evidence suggests new media is expanding political discussion in Kenya. By providing a platform for public debate and sharing information and opinions, especially through mobile phones, new media may advance democracy. However, little research has been done to prove this. The proposal aims to investigate how politics in Kenya is being redefined through new media use, how Kenyans are participating in political debates online, and the impacts on politics, challenges, and implications. It also seeks to understand citizen-produced online information and discussions within the political landscape. Studying these online interactions could provide insight

1. PhD Research Proposal
Provisional Title
New Media: A new political space in Kenya
Abstract
Scholars have developed theories about how digital technology affects democracy
and political processes, however, these theories have a tendency to exclude the
experience of Sub-Saharan Africa, where meaningful access to new media1
technologies is increasing. In nascent democratic Kenya, there exists a growing
amount of evidence that suggests that new media (Internet), through its means of
communication and access to, information, is having a significant impact on its
politics and changing the dynamics of socio-political engagement. Although this
optimism might sometimes be uncritically celebratory, examples show that new
media (Internet), through its wide interface, and especially as it is accessed via
mobile phones, is enlarging the variety of virtual spaces for political discussion and
opinion making, which in turn holds much promise for the advancement of
democracy and civic participation in Kenya. Notwithstanding, little research has been
conducted to prove this. Thus, building from this premise, the underlying issue that
will run throughout this research will be to investigate and describe how the overall
character of Kenya’s politics is actually being conducted, redefined and reconfigured
through use of new media (Internet). As new media technologies access the public
sphere and penetrates the political communications arena; how are they granting
Kenyans some power to get involved in the political debate and discussion; how are
Kenyans participating and making their voices heard through these virtual mediums
1
Although new media is a generic term f or the many dif f erent f orms of electronic communication, herein it will also imply the Internet, thus will be
used interchangeably . The term will also be used in relation to ‘old’ media f orms, such as print newspapers and magazines. Hence new media will
include; websites, weblogs, streaming audio and v ideo, chatrooms, emails, online communities, social networks and mobile computing.

2. and spaces; what are the impacts, interactions, challenges and implications on the
affairs of politics in Kenya; and how are these online discourses, as they are
sometimes deliberated in the anonymity provided by the Internet, amplifying pre-
existing polarisations and tensions in Kenya, a country with a long history of
tribalism, civil conflict and politics of belonging. Also, as the study seeks to
comprehend the role and nature of citizen-produced information, news, and
discussion within the political and media landscape, it hopes to reveal the shifting
locus of agency for agenda setting, managing and regulating communication in and
to the public spaces. Therefore, studying these online discussions and interactions
will provide an effective starting point for understanding the online experiences of the
Kenya’s politics.