Political Cartoon Framing of Kenya’s 2022 General Election: A Case Study of The Daily Nation and Standard Newspapers

Abstract

The study examined how political cartoons published in Kenya’s two leading newspapers, the Daily Nation and The Standard, framed the 2022 General Elections. Despite the significant role that visual media plays in shaping political communication, limited research in Kenya has explored how political cartoons influence electoral discourse and public understanding of political events. This study sought to fill that gap by analyzing how political cartoons constructed narratives around candidates, institutions, and election processes. The purpose of the research was to identify the dominant themes, analyze political representations, and explore the visual framing techniques employed by cartoonists to shape election narratives. The specific objectives were to (i) identify the dominant themes in political cartoons related to the 2022 General Elections, (ii) examine the visual framing techniques (satire, symbolism, metaphor, exaggeration) used in the cartoons, and (iii) analyze how political cartoons portrayed political actors and institutions during the election period. Guided by Framing Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, this study adopted a qualitative case study design that combined content and textual analysis to examine 87 political cartoons and included in-depth interviews with one cartoonist and three key informants. Instruments of data collection included a coding sheet, an interview guide, a key informant guide, and a codebook. The findings revealed that political cartoons were influential in shaping public opinion during the 2022 General Elections, guiding how citizens interpreted political events, leaders, and institutions. Through satire, symbolism, exaggeration, and metaphor, cartoonists framed candidates and institutions in ways that either enhanced credibility or undermined trust. Institutions such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) were often depicted as compromised or ineffective, fueling public cynicism and doubts about electoral integrity. The cartoons evoked a wide range of emotions from fear and disillusionment to hope and civic motivation, thereby influencing voter attitudes and political engagement. Aligned with Framing Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, the study established that political cartoons are not merely reflections of public sentiment but active instruments that shape collective meaning, discourse, and behavior. It concludes that political cartoons published in The Standard and Daily Nation played a critical role in framing Kenya’s 2022 General Elections by drawing attention to key issues such as election integrity, corruption, political deceit, and institutional credibility. Through satire, symbolism, and exaggeration, cartoonists effectively communicated these concerns, influencing how citizens perceived political events and actors. The study recommends that media practitioners recognize political cartoons as valuable tools for civic education capable of fostering informed public debate. Electoral bodies and government institutions are encouraged to monitor political cartoons as candid sources of public feedback to guide reforms, enhance communication strategies, and strengthen voter engagement. Furthermore, future research should examine audience reception of political cartoons and extend the inquiry to digital satire - such as memes and social media commentary - to capture evolving forms of political expression among digitally active audiences.