Paper short abstract:

This paper argues that participation in the public sphere plays an important role in reinforcing citizenship as a social identity through public political deliberation.

Paper long abstract:

The concept of being a Kenyan citizen has brought lots of debates in both the electronic and the print media in Kenya. Participation in talk radio shows is concerned with the study of the nature of talk radio as a genre in relation to issues of right of access to public information, checks and balances on power, human rights, and respect for minorities in the society, nationhood, citizenship, corruption and their ultimate involvement in governing of the country. Jambo Kenya's participation focuses on the emergence of ideas around democracy and citizenship. Participation and/or interaction does not necessarily lead to democracy, therefore, as a form of news and current affairs program, Jambo Kenya's notion of participation is carried out by analyzing its role in encouraging knowledge and the caller's perspectives on citizenship.