JOURNALISTS URGED TO UPHOLD ETHICS IN REPORTING GBV IN ATHLETICS
He urged journalists to gather sufficient information before publishing and to use responsible reporting to help athletes speak out.
Media Council of Kenya Nakuru Regional Coordinator Joseph Mecha.
By Anneth Chepng’etich
Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet
Friday, September 2026
Journalists have been urged to adopt ethical reporting practices when covering Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) in athletics to protect survivors from further trauma and stigma.
The call was made during a media engagement forum held in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, organized in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Centre for the Enhancement of Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG), and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
The forum focused on building the capacity of journalists to report GBV and SEA cases responsibly while protecting the dignity, privacy and safety of survivors.
Speaking during the engagement, MCK Nakuru Regional Coordinator Joseph Mecha said journalists have a responsibility to look beyond athletics competitions and highlight issues affecting athletes.
“We had a successful discussion on GBV with athletes and journalists to bring sanity in athletics,” Mecha said.
He urged journalists to gather sufficient information before publishing and to use responsible reporting to help athletes speak out.
“We should not just report on events but look for better ways to support the athletes,” he added.
Coaches Call for Safer Spaces
Athletics coach Richard Kanda said GBV has affected athletes in Elgeyo Marakwet for years, with many cases remaining unreported.
“As coaches, we need to protect our athletes from different backgrounds. For girls, they are mistreated by men,” Kanda said.
He said coaches have a collective responsibility to make training camps safe, noting that initiatives to address the vice have already improved athlete welfare. He also emphasized financial empowerment through savings initiatives like SACCOs.
“I wish we started this SACCO long ago when I was an athlete. This has really helped us,” he said.
CEDGG Calls for Accountability
CEDGG Chief Executive Officer Paul Masese said GBV in athletics goes beyond physical and emotional abuse to include financial exploitation.
“We are urging all stakeholders to end GBV in athletics. For many years, athletes have gone through GBV, especially through financial exploitation,” Masese said.
He called for accountability among government institutions and individuals tasked with safeguarding athletes, noting that more survivors are now speaking out.
“Many athletes have gone through a lot and many have kept quiet, but they are now talking,” he said, adding that CEDGG is working with athletics camps to empower female athletes to lead the fight against GBV.
Survivor Urges Athletes to Speak Out
Eveline Ruto, a member of Straight for Africa and a GBV survivor, shared her experience of financial exploitation and abuse during her athletics career.
“I suffered a lot. I kept quiet and suffered more than anything,” Ruto said, explaining that she remained silent for years while facing challenges in her marriage and losing control over her earnings.
She regained confidence after receiving counselling and support through Straight for Africa.
“I was counselled and gained energy. I went back to training. I was empowered and regained my morals,” she said.
Ruto is now encouraging other athletes, particularly women, to speak out.
“I want to tell athletes that they should speak out on GBV. I kept quiet and I suffered more than anything. Right now, we have people who can help,” she said.
The engagement comes as stakeholders seek to create safer spaces for athletes in Elgeyo Marakwet, a region internationally recognised for producing elite distance runners.
Journalists were urged to protect survivors’ privacy, avoid victim-shaming, and report GBV and SEA cases while respecting the law and professional media ethics.
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