Textual Graffiti Arts as a Method of Communication in Public Service Vehicles in Buruburu, Nairobi County
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Date
2022
Authors
Mbolonzi Jeniffer Nduku
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The use of graffiti in public service vehicles in Kenya has been evolving. Though the practice has existed for many years, it has recently been hyped in the advent of the millennial generation. Various studies discussed in this research paper have shown that graffiti in public service vehicles have majorly targeted the youth. However, the studies further show that people of different socio-demographics use public service vehicles; hence the way they receive graffiti messages is different. It is therefore, essential to examine textual graffiti art as a method of communication. The general objective of this study was to explore the textual graffiti arts as a method of communication in public service vehicles in Buruburu, Nairobi County. Specifically, the study sought to determine the various discourse, in the different graffiti messages in Buruburu, Nairobi County, to evaluate inter-textuality in graffiti texts in public service vehicles in Buruburu, Nairobi County, to examine the forms (language and language variation) used in discourse domains in public service vehicles in Buruburu, Nairobi County and to analyze the socio-demographic differences in interpretation of textual graffiti among public service vehicles in Buruburu, Nairobi County. A descriptive research approach was used in this study, which included both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. This study‘s target population comprised of matatu crew, graffiti artists, and passengers of matatu route numbers 58 and 23. A total of 87 respondents (21 matatu crew, 6 graffiti artist and 60 passengers) were involved. This study used purposive sampling to select 21 matatus and matatu crew. On the other hand, 60 passengers were selected, representing 10% of the target group and 7 graffiti artists. Data from observations and interviews were directly keyed in to a computer and evaluated using a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), analytic software. A contingency table of facts and recurrence rate was done, and then the statistics were presented using tables, percentages, and graphs. The study concluded that almost all the matatus in the Buruburu route have textual graffiti on them. In addition, the study findings revealed that the Matatu crew prefers Matatus with textual graffiti since they have more demand than the ones without textual graffiti. In addition, the Matatu crew showed that Matatus with textual graffiti make more money as compared to those without. In addition, the study concludes that the majority of the passengers frequently read the textual graffiti in the matatus that they board. Further, the study concluded that the most commonly used languages include English, Kiswahili, sheng, and vernaculars. However, English is the most favoured of the three languages. It is associated with a prestigious status compared to Swahili and Sheng, but this only happens in places associated with such situations. The study also concluded that the passengers are okay with graffiti being used in public places. From the findings, this study, therefore, recommends that the matatu owners in Buruburu route should ensure better graffiti in their matatus since they have a more substantial influence as far as boarding a matatu is concerned. In addition, the SACCO members should consider up-taking textual graffiti in their Matatus. Further, the Graffiti artists should ensure the message also use textual graffiti that is meaningful and of essence to the passengers. Graffiti artists should also be employed in public vehicles to pass important information to the target population
Description
A Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts of Kenyatta University, October, 2022
Keywords
Textual Graffiti Arts, Method of Communication, Public Service Vehicles, Buruburu, Nairobi County