Impact of Media Framing on Public Perception of femicide in Kenya

Abstract

This article examines the role of media framing in shaping public perceptions of femicide in Kenya, arguing that media narratives are not neutral but actively construct social understanding of gender-based violence. It highlights the dominance of episodic framing in Kenyan media coverage, characterised by sensationalism, personalised storytelling, and a focus on victims and legal proceedings, often at the expense of broader structural analysis. Such representations tend to individualise femicide cases, obscuring the underlying systems of patriarchy and gender inequality that sustain violence against women. Drawing on recent high-profile cases and emerging empirical studies, the article demonstrates how media discourse may inadvertently normalise femicide by shifting attention away from systemic accountability. It also considers how newsroom practices and audience characteristics, including gender and education, influence both the production and interpretation of these frames. Addressing a gap in existing literature, the study moves beyond descriptive analyses of media content to explore how audiences engage with and internalise media narratives. Ultimately, the article seeks to contribute to a more critical understanding of the relationship between media representation and public perception, with implications for more responsible and context-sensitive reporting on femicide in Kenya.