The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is championing stronger community engagement at the grassroots level by endorsing local radio stations as catalysts for media development.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi praised the Mashinani Watch Organisation for its mentorship program and the planned launch of a state-of-the-art community radio station.
“This initiative is crucial as it aims to empower journalists and nurture media growth at the grassroots”, she remarked during a meeting with Mashinani Watch Executive Director and Founder Moffat Mutero and his team.
Ms Mudi emphasised the importance of partnerships in areas such as mental health training, mentorship and grant provision to support the professional development of journalists.
“There is vast potential for the media industry to grow and collaborations like this can open impactful opportunities for media practitioners”, she noted.
Mr Mutero shared that a team of veteran journalists has been working behind the scenes to support Mashinani Watch’s mentorship efforts. He revealed that the organisation is set to launch an online radio station in November dedicated to serving the local community.
“This station will not only provide a platform for local voices but also offer support to media professionals through programs designed to help journalists monetise their skills and establish sustainable career paths”, he explained.
Veteran journalist and Mashinani Watch consultant Mazera Ndurya underscored the significance of the initiative, particularly its focus on mentorship that enables journalists to produce market-relevant content.
“We need to move beyond traditional methods and embrace innovative approaches that meet the demands of today’s media landscape. Mental health support and empowerment programs will also be integrated into the mentorship framework”, he stated.