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And Finally, the Diaspora Voice
By Guest Author | Sat, 08/18/2012 12:46AM -0400
Every time the term diaspora is used in Kenyan circles, images of glistening cities in North America and Europe instantly come to mind. Lost to many is the fact that Lubumbashi, Mbabane, La Paz, Manama, Suva and Canberra stake an equal claim to this beautiful phrase the ‘Kenyan Diaspora.’
A quick caveat however, this column ostensibly uses the term diaspora to denote North America, and the USA for that matter. Since I am domiciled in these waters of the Atlantic, and have on numerous occasions sampled the smorgasbord that is the new media programming, I can therefore ‘authoritatively’ comment on the same.
That Kenyans are some of the most informed people, anywhere, is undisputed. True too is that we love news. The love for news is literally congenital since every family back home invariably tunes in to no less than three news broadcasts a day, just to be minimally informed of the latest goings on.
This gargantuan appetite for news does not dissipate when we vuka the border. Matter of fact, we continue to follow our favourite programs when we fika majuu, mostly because of that longing, the warm fuzzy feeling we get when we can stream Kenyan radio stations, from thousands of kilometers, or is it miles, away.
Given the hectic schedules here, and the reality on the ground, many a casual Kenyan news consumer falls by the sidewalk. The diehard, however, thrives; we all know of that ‘loud mouth’ who holds everyone to a trance as s/he updates us with the Kenyan news scene, narrating the situation on the ground as if they never left!
This ardent observer of events shall and cannot find satisfaction in the blogs, message boards or even an occasional YouTube video. S/he wants to be part of the debate, the old fashioned way, one on one.
Long disappointed with the on and off presence of the erstwhile favourite FM radio station from Kenya and the hectic schedule aforementioned, a handful diasporas have taken the bull by the horns.
May be motivated by a failed attempt to be a radio deejay or TV personality, or the dream of it therefore, these diasporas have taken over the mikes and are indeed filling the void of that Kenyan voice, home away from home!
Whatever your taste, it’s taken care of. From the east coast, to west, mid-west to south, there is something for everyone.
I’d hate to impose my tastes to anyone, and so will direct you to worthy news media sure to be worth your while. Another caveat; don’t come for my neck if the effect is anything but.
There is http://www.onemicshow.com/about/ live from the DMV area, http://www.karisanmedia.com/ covering the mid west and the south, http://eastafricaradiousa.com/blog/ for the international Kenyan, http://kenyaprogressivevoice.org/http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-truth... just to mention but a few.
Tune in if you haven’t and keep me abreast with other voices that I may have overlooked.
By Joji Muwangi
The views expressed on this op-ed/blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of Mwakilishi News Media, or any other individual, organization, or institution. The content on this op-ed/blog is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual. The author himself is responsible for the content of the posts on this op-ed/blog, not any other organization or institution which he might be seen to represent. The author is not responsible, nor will he be held liable, for any statements made by others on this op-ed/blog in the op-ed blog comments, nor the laws which they may break in this country or their own, through their comments’ content, implication, and intent. The author reserves the right to delete comments if and when necessary. The author is not responsible for the content or activities of any sites linked from this op-ed/blog. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations and other content on here are original works of the op-ed/blog author and the copyrights for those works belong to the author.
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Sat, 08/18/2012 12:55PM -0400
#1
Ati Joji 'Muwangi'......seems you've ishid in stato for long, till uka zoea 'Muwangi', which by the way, if you corrected them by semaing it's Mwangi, they'll debate and say no, it's 'Muwangi'....hio article made an interesting read!!!!!
Sun, 08/26/2012 02:29PM -0400
#3
Hate to say that some of those Diaspora so called radio stations are hate mongers and divisive. They really have a long way to go to become bonafide rather than a platform to rant about who those they do not like.
Mon, 08/27/2012 11:04PM -0400
#4
True that Angie, of course the lack of regulation [since they are largely online] is the issue. But in this age of civic journalism, anyone can and should call the bluff of any offending content. Social media is a great weapon if well used.
I like the willingness of Kenyans to at least engage in a debate with one another, and as you pointed out, it maybe a long way, but the Chinese quote offers some solace, "a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step."
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