SECTOR 2 The media landscape, including new media, is characterised by diversity, independence and sustainability. 2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print, broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible and affordable to citizens. Kenya has seen an increase in the number of print publications and electronic media since 2009. Print publications There are now an estimated six dailies, seven weeklies and scores of regional newspapers in the country. The introduction of 47 counties in the country’s devolution reform has increased the number of new publications. However, the state run Kenya Today was closed recently, partly because of weak funding from the state and wide ranging operational problems. There are plans to set up a new state-run publication to replace the paper that used to enjoy immense public funding and government advertising. According to various estimates, including publishers and the Audit Bureau of Circulation, the largest circulating papers in the country are the Sunday Nation, the Daily Nation, the Standard, the Star and the People. With the devolution of power, there is a growing need for local newspapers that cover local issues. So far, most of the weeklies are playing this role, with some publishing in Kiswahili. Emerging newspapers promise to be more permanent and consumer-driven, with better quality of journalism and print, compared to politically-sponsored sporadic upshots that appear close to the election period. Even though newspapers are widely available, they are not quite affordable. Cover prices range from KSh20 to 50 (about US$ 0.25 to 0.62), which is more expensive than a packet of milk at KSh40 (around US$0.5). The country appears to be faced with a generation that is unwilling to pay for news. To make newspapers affordable to poorer members of the community, vendors loan out the daily edition of a publication to a reader for a few hours at a time at a nominal amount. After reading the paper of choice, the reader will return the paper to the vendor who will sell it or “rent it out” to another consumer. 28 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2012