Main content

Chinese Dreams: Kenya

Episode 4 of 5

China has invested heavily not just in Africa’s roads and railways, but also in the media sector. Frenny Jowi examines whether this is changing the way Kenyans see China.

There has been a lot of media focus on China’s investment in Africa’s physical infrastructure: but what about its play for Africa’s attention? CGTN, China’s state-run international TV station, has steadily increased its footprint on the continent from its African HQ in Nairobi – while Chinese-owned StarTimes is on its way to providing satellite TV access for 10,000 rural villages. Hundreds of African journalists have been trained in China. Does this represent a major shift in international focus, away from Western media sources (including the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ) and towards well-funded Chinese outlets? Kenyan reporter Frenny Jowi hears of fears these developments will mean less scrutiny of China’s controversial multi-billion dollar deals with her country.

Producer: Rob Walker

(Photo: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit: Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Kyodo News Pool/Getty Images)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sun 19 Jan 2020 10:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 02:32GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 03:32GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 04:32GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 05:32GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 13:32GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 18:06GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 21:06GMT
  • Wed 15 Jan 2020 23:06GMT
  • Sat 18 Jan 2020 17:32GMT
  • Sun 19 Jan 2020 10:06GMT

The Documentary Podcast

The Documentary Podcast

Hear more documentaries from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service

Podcast