Nairobi — Kenyan journalists have been urged to uphold professionalism and patriotism and especially in this time for the General Elections.

"By so doing, they will set agendas for the nation", said Professor Levi Obonyo, the head of Communications, at the Daystar University, Nairobi.

The Kenyan Professor was addressing the February month Media Roundtable Discussion, held at the French Cultural centre, Nairobi on February 26.

The theme of the discussion was: Nationalism: Media and the March 4 Elections: "Have the Media Ignored or Promoted Nationalism?"

He said it was lamentable that the media has abdicated some of its role, such as setting agendas to the politicians.

"And when things turn sour, the same politicians have turned blamed the media," he further said.

Mr Ken Njiru of the Ungwana TV Campaign Initiative said the Kenyan media has become shy in stating out which party of the local politics they supported.

"In United States, some media houses have openly supported the Republicans, while others have supported the Democrats. And at times they have managed to set agendas for the political parties they support. This is yet to happen here; yet it should happen," he said.

One owner of a media house, SK Macharia of Royal Media Services, tried to do this, openly stating which political party he supported, and this did enlist a lot of criticism, he added.

The discussion was moderated by Mr Henry Makori, editor FAHAMU.