The Azimio La Umoja-OKA presidential candidate receives more media coverage as compared to other presidential candidates in Kenya. According to a report released by the Media Council of Kenya MCK, Raila receives a 61% media coverage followed by the Kenya Kwanza Alliance KKA coalition presidential candidate and the incumbent deputy president Dr William Ruto who has 38.2%.
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In the report, Mr Odinga is the presidential candidate whose bid is covered in most of the media station. In the research reports, George Wajackhoya of Roots party had 0.54% coverage and David Mwaure of Agano party has 0.02%.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo, on the other hand, backed Mr Odinga's coverage, stating that Kenyans prefer Raila-Karua-related news, therefore their stories "sell more" than those of Ruto-Gachagua.
Raila has long been the top seller of news in the country, and as such, he is regarded as the best newsmaker; his reemergence in the media sphere has piqued the interest of numerous newsrooms. "Deputy President William Ruto is also getting fair publicity," Mr Omwoyo said yesterday at an Eldoret hotel.
MCK noted that reporting on national and regional politics by both mainstream and community radio stations was slanted in favor of regional politics.
MCK urged media outlets to provide equal publicity to all candidates ahead of the August elections.
Despite Kenya Kwanza presidential contender William Ruto's charges against the media, Mr Omwoyo stated the media has remained neutral and professional.
According to the survey, social media continues to alter information from mainstream media, thereby spreading hate speech and misinforming Kenyans.
Mr Omwoyo, on the other hand, stated that despite misinformation on social media, Raila Odinga is still ahead of William Ruto in both social media and conventional media coverage.