Eldoret Media Hub Hosts EU Delegation in Spotlight Discussion Ahead of General Elections
European Union delegation engages local journalists at the Eldoret Media Hub in Uasin Gishu. The session brought together EU representatives, Joseph Mecha of the Media Council of Kenya (North Rift region), the leadership of the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association, and local journalists. Photo by Kemuma Achieng.
By Hubzmedia Digital, Eldoret
A high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) to Kenya on Wednesday visited the Eldoret Media Hub, engaging in a wide-ranging dialogue with local journalists on the role of independent media in safeguarding credible information ahead of Kenya’s upcoming general elections.
The meeting, hosted by the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association (UGJA), brought together key representatives from the EU, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and local media practitioners to explore ways to strengthen press freedom, enhance fact-checking capacity, and improve journalist safety in the North Rift region.
The EU delegation was led by Cristina Barrios, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section, accompanied by Dan Schrember of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG-INTPA) and Alejandro Viudivcos. Also present were Joseph Mecha, MCK’s North Rift Regional Coordinator, UGJA leadership, and local journalists from various media houses.
In her opening remarks, Barrios highlighted the crucial role of regional media hubs in countering misinformation and strengthening democratic resilience.
“Democracy is strengthened when citizens have access to trustworthy news,” Barrios said. “We visited Eldoret because regional journalism hubs like this can act as bulwarks against misinformation and help create safer, more resilient media ecosystems”She Observed.
Schrember reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to partnering with journalists to promote democratic integrity and the critical role of journalists ahead of the polls.
A journalist explains a point to the European Union delegation during an engagement session at the Eldoret Media Hub. Photo by Kemuma Achieng.
“Free, independent media is part of the foundation of good governance,” he stated. “Ahead of elections, the pressures — financial, political, and security — increase. Our role is not to interfere, but to understand existing challenges and enhance the capacity to report impartially.”
The EU delegation announced plans of offering scholarship opportunities aimed at supporting professional training and further education for Kenyan journalists.
UGJA Chair James Gitaka welcomed the delegation, commending the EU’s engagement with local media.
“When we founded the Eldoret Media Hub, we envisioned more than a newsroom — a safe space for journalists, a lab for innovation, and a springboard for young reporters,” Gitaka said. “Today, we’re seeing that vision take shape.”
UGJA Vice Chair Edmond Kipng’eno noted that access to modern facilities and peer mentorship has changed the region’s media landscape.
“For young journalists, access to equipment, editorial guidance, and training makes the difference between silence and professional growth,” he said. “We hope this visit marks the start of sustained collaboration.”
Several journalists shared firsthand experiences, citing the risks they face — from inadequate safety gear to harassment and lack of legal or technical support. Dancan Wanga a seasoned reporter described instances of physical assault and threats after covering an assignment, while another lamented the absence of reliable fact-checking tools in local newsrooms.
UGJA program lead Ibrahim Too presented a proposal to establish a Fact-Checking Centre at the Eldoret Media Hub to help combat disinformation during the election period.
The initiative would bring together multimedia verification teams, partner with universities and civil society, and offer training in data journalism, AI literacy, and digital security.
“Disinformation spreads faster than truth,” Too noted. “If we wait until after the damage, it’s too late. Our goal is to build resilience before the storm.”
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) pledged continued collaboration with UGJA to promote safe and ethical reporting.
“Eldoret Media Hub will not only serve journalists but also give voice to the vulnerable — the citizens whose stories are often ignored,” said Mecha. “We are expanding safe workspaces and rolling out training on ethics, fact-checking, and the protection of women journalists.”
The delegation paid special attention to the challenges facing women journalists, who face heightened risks of harassment and violence both online and in the field.
“I’ve encountered hostilities while covering demonstrations ,countless threats for covering politics,” shared one female journalist.These barriers limit our voices and our careers.”
Gitaka stressed that gender-responsive safety measures are a non-negotiable part of press freedom.
“A media hub is only as safe as its protections for its most exposed members,” he said. “If women cannot report freely, democracy loses a crucial perspective.”
The discussion also explored how regional media can drive civic education and public awareness in the run-up to the elections.
“Where trust in institutions is low, media platforms can become anchors of fact — not rumor,” said Schrember.
Gitaka noted that the Hub already collaborates with community radio stations and schools to promote media literacy, adding that long-term partnerships with development partners could scale up these efforts.
With elections approaching, the Eldoret Media Hub is rapidly emerging as a center of excellence for regional journalism — bridging local narratives with national accountability and setting new standards for ethical and factual reporting in Kenya’s media landscape.
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