OF POLITICAL PROTESTS, PRECIOUS LIVES AND TV PROGRAMMING

Political agitations can lead to a better life. And the sacrifices made should never be trivialised. But life is universally precious. Property too is valuable, but life is priceless. That's why media coverage of violent protests in Kenya requires proper contextualization, not just mere reportage. It's a matter of life and death for some, not just a political contest, or filler for TV programming.

The press needs to rise above partisan politics and help steer the country through this turbulent period.

Yes. There's need for the media to capture unfolding events as chroniclers of history.

But to be on the right side of that history, no effort should be spared in ensuring the country emerges stronger from any political crisis.

Scrambling to tell 'sob' stories after families have lost their loved ones, is a mockery of the inherent power of the media to help prevent such tragedies in the first place.

Must the country be on the very brink for those front-page editorials and 'We Are One' identical headlines to find justification?

It's better to do the precautionary math beforehand, than having to deal with the painful aftermath.