By Sharon Atieno
Science Africa is among the seven latest beneficiaries of a grant issued by the principal Kenyan media regulatory body to support journalists, media associations and support group.
Speaking during the announcement, David Omwoyo, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) said: “We are glad to announce this next phase of support to the media sector as part of our practical interventions to keep journalists and their associations at work for their members. The MCK will continue to do all it can to ensure we emerge stronger from this pandemic.”
In the first phase launched on 23rd April, 2020, the MCK supported 13 associations and in this second phase, seven more have been included.
The other six include: the Gender Media Network (GMN), Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET), Kenya Environment & Science Journalists Association (KENSJA), Kenya Media Network for Population & Development (KMNPD), Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA) and Media for Environment, Science, Health & Agriculture (MESHA).
“As we mobilize resources, we shall ensure that we continually facilitate associations to give the necessary support to their members even as they in turn ensure that the output from their members continues to serve public interest, especially in the context of COVID-19”, noted MCK’s Head of Media Development & Strategy, Victor Bwire.
In its Health Reporting Grant programme, the MCK also announced grants to 40 successful applicants, bringing the total number of journalists supported through the programme, to 100. As with the first phase, the applicants will undergo an online mentorship session, with the four panelists and MCK staff to prepare them to write their stories.
