A HISTORY OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE MASS MEDIA EMPOWERMENT FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE TURKANA COMMUNITY OF KENYA, 1963-2022

The Turkana, a pastoralist community inhibiting the arid and marginalized regions of Northern Kenya, have faced numerous challenges including poverty, food insecurity and limited access to basic services. Over the years, mass media has emerged as a powerful tool for disseminating information, promoting awareness and fostering social change. The study delved into the role of mass media in uplifting the Turkana community and facilitating their socio-economic progress. The problem statement that guided this study is; how far would be the Turkana developments if the area was well served by the fourth estate since independence? The general objective was to evaluate indigenous language mass media empowerment for socio-economic development among the Turkana community of Kenya, 1963-2022. The study was guided by three specific objectives: To assess the history of community and indigenous language mass media evolution in Turkana County, to examine the influence of mass media on socio-cultural growth among Turkana community in Turkana county, 1963-2022 and to evaluate the indigenous language mass media empowerment for socio-economic development among the Turkana community of Kenya,1963- 2022. The study was carried out in Turkana south; river Turkwel and Lokichar. It focused on agriculture, social conflicts, culture, education and commerce. The study experienced challenges of extremely hot temperatures, insecurity and logistical given the vast area covered by the county. The study is significant to the people of Turkana community since it provides them with relevant knowledge and information on the importance of mass media empowerment in their socioeconomic developments. The study is justified in academic, philosophical and policy wise. Furthermore, the study is built under various literatures. These literatures have been drawn from the study objectives mentioned above. This study employed two theories; the libertarian theory propounded by Lao Tzu in 1972 and the agenda setting theory expounded by Max McCombs and Donald Shaw in 1972. The research adopted the historical research design since it enabled the researcher to collect, verify and synthesize evidences from the past and present. In addition, the study incorporated the descriptive research design. Some of the instruments for data collection included Focus Group Discussions, Oral Interviews and the use of Questionnaires. The study was guided by ethical considerations for an effective research process. For example, informant consent, confidentiality and letters from various research authorities such as from NACOSTI, DPS and from Government administration offices in the area of study. The key findings in order of objectives are as follows: First, Turkana County for a long time has been faced by insufficient information and the proper channels to disseminate the same due to natural constraints and many challenges. Secondly, community media has played a significant role in the processes of community empowerment, social change and development in different parts of the Turkana County since 2008, and thirdly mass media is an accelerating tool to any development of a community. It is one of the most powerful tools that can be made use of by community development practitioners, to further the work that they undertake on a daily basis because of the outreach that is associated with mass media use. The major conclusion is that from 2008-2022, there has been a positive socio-economic development witnessed in Turkana County as a result of the dissemination of a variety of information by indigenous language mass media, which has empowered the local community with relevant knowledge and skills that improves their livelihood when put into practice. The study recommends the following as per the order of specific objectives: First, both the National and County government, through the ministry of ICT should expand the installation of satellites to enhance establishment of more media stations both radio and television in Turkana county. Secondly, the already existing mass media in Turkana should provide more avenues for dichotomous communication, and thirdly more educative and empowering programmes should be developed by the mass media in the community considering specific target groups.