16 Oct 2020
By
Lorine Achieng

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) was on Friday 16th October, 2020 honored by the Volunteer Involving Organization Society (VIO) in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and Good Deeds Day at an awards ceremony held at the Four Points by Marriot, Hurligham, Nairobi.

The award was in line with the important role that the media has played in disseminating information about the Corona Virus during the Pandemic. It was presented by the Chief Guest, a Director at the State Department for Social Protection to Dr. Mbuga Njoroge, a Council member who received the award on behalf of the MCK. This is the second time the media is being awarded for its pivot role it has continued to play in disseminating information about the virus and creating awareness among the publics.

During his acceptance speech, Dr Mbugua noted that the Council has been engaged in various activities to assist the media and journalists in cushioning them against the adverse effects of the pandemic. This, he added was done by issuing grants to journalists and mentors who provided professional guidance in the coverage of public health stories.

Media Associations and Support Groups also benefited from this grant which helped in facilitating them to work and generate stories on health and amplify national messages for the government and other experts. 

The event also saw governors from Mombasa, Makueni and Nairobi awarded for their voluntary services to their constituents during the pandemic. Other organizations that received the awards were, United Nations Volunteers, Safaricom Kenya, Ficha Uchi, Kenya Red Cross Society, Sonko Rescue Team, Ministry of Health, Visa Oshwal Community Centre and Mn’garo Mtaani among others.

Congratulations to all the award winners for their efforts in keeping the volunteering spirit alive.

About the Award

The Volunteer Awards are organized and run in line with the provisions of the National Volunteerism Policy. The policy calls on institutions to acknowledge, appreciate and award exemplary voluntary initiatives as carried out by individuals, groups, and institutions as long as such actions are motivated by selflessness and are done out of free will and without compulsion