Okoth Obado’s conviction for the murder of Sharon Otieno should be a gut-check moment for the Kenyan media and international outlets alike. Yet, here we are in a sensationalist circus, with networks like CNN and BBC focusing more on the shocking details than the weighty implications of power and privilege involved in this case.

These networks push the narrative of a “politician gone rogue” while conveniently glossing over the systemic failures and the societal issues that prop up such violent acts. They’re so eager to peddle the drama that they cast aside the broader questions: What does this mean for women’s rights in Kenya? What kind of environment allows powerful men to dismiss life like a disposable commodity?

Fox News, on the other hand, is often quick to toss around terms like “corruption” and “elites,” but it’s also culpable of losing sight of the real narrative, relying on sensationalist angles that raise more eyebrows than solutions. Instead of a diligent investigation into the state of affairs that let a tragedy like this unfold, they merely serve up shock value, feeding the public’s appetite for drama rather than fostering discourse.

In this media frenzy, the focus shifts away from holding the culture around such violence to account. While the conviction itself is a step forward, we shouldn’t lose sight of what brought us here. The media’s battle for clicks must not overshadow the urgent attention our societal attitudes toward accountability and violence against women desperately need.