Eldoret Media Hub Emerges as Regional Journalism Powerhouse Through Training, Partnerships and Digital Innovation
“We are focused on building ethical, skilled, and digitally competent journalists who can operate in modern newsrooms,” James Gitaka .
Photo collage showing key moments from the launch of the Eldoret Media Hub in 2021, officiated by Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Esther Koimett, marking a milestone in advancing regional media innovation and digital journalism in Kenya.
By James Gitaka
The Eldoret Media Hub, established by the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association (UJA), has evolved into a key regional centre for journalism training, digital production, and media innovation since its official launch on August 6, 2021.
Inaugurated by then Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Esther Koimett with support from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the hub was set up to strengthen grassroots media infrastructure and address persistent challenges facing journalists in regional areas, including limited equipment, lack of office space, and weak institutional support systems.
Co-working newsroom and digital production hub
Positioned as a co-working newsroom, training centre, and digital production studio, the facility was designed to give journalists a shared professional space for content production, mentorship, and ethical reporting.
Over the years, it has grown into a structured media ecosystem supporting both professional journalists and students from local institutions.
The hub is equipped with a recording studio, editing suites, cameras, and multimedia production facilities, making it one of the most active regional journalism resource centres in the North Rift.
Edmond Kipngeno the organization’s Vice Chair noted that the hub was created to “provide journalists with a safe, collaborative space where they can produce quality content while strengthening professional standards.”
Membership base and governance structure
The hub currently brings together more than 60 journalists drawn from community media, vernacular stations, mainstream outlets, and international media organisations.
It operates through structured committees that ensure member participation in decision-making. Its leadership includes Vice Chair Edmond Kipngeno, Treasurer Elvis Wasike, and Secretary Naomi Cheruiyot, alongside a gender desk guided by a formal gender policy aimed at promoting inclusivity in the media space.
According to leadership, the governance model was designed to ensure accountability and collective ownership.
“The strength of this hub is in its members. Every journalist has a voice in shaping how we operate and grow,” Naomi Cheruiyot said.
Academic partnerships and EU-funded programmes
The Eldoret Media Hub has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Moi University and the University of Eldoret, supporting joint training, student mentorship, and newsroom exposure programmes.
It is currently implementing a European Union-funded project focused on establishing integrity clubs to promote ethics, accountability, and responsible journalism among students and young media practitioners.
The hub has also extended its outreach to primary schools, including Kosachei Primary School, where it supports journalism clubs and early media literacy programmes.
Training, mentorship and newsroom development
One of the hub’s strongest pillars remains its training and mentorship programmes, conducted in partnership with media training institutions and universities.
Journalism students benefit from newsroom simulations, practical attachments, and hands-on production training aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice.
UJA leadership, under the coordination of journalist James Gitaka, has emphasized mentorship as central to the hub’s mandate.
“We are focused on building ethical, skilled, and digitally competent journalists who can operate in modern newsrooms,” Gitaka said.
Capacity building and professional development
The hub has hosted multiple professional training forums covering digital journalism, fact-checking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence in media, and election reporting preparedness.
Media development stakeholders say these initiatives align with national efforts led by the Media Council of Kenya to decentralize journalism training and strengthen regional media capacity.
The Eldoret Media Hub is among several regional centres supporting professionalism and media freedom outside Nairobi.
Community engagement and civic impact
Beyond journalism training, the hub has expanded into community engagement and social impact programmes, hosting forums on governance, youth empowerment, civic education, and responsible media use.
It has also worked with civil society organisations and religious groups to promote peace messaging and ethical communication, especially during politically sensitive periods.
“The hub has become a bridge between journalists and the community, strengthening civic awareness and dialogue,” a civil society partner noted.
Digital platforms and media expansion
The hub runs a digital ecosystem that includes www.hubzmedia.africa, Hubz Radio, and active social media platforms on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
These platforms are used to expand access to information, amplify alternative voices, and promote multimedia storytelling across the region.
Benchmark for regional media growth
The Eldoret Media Hub has increasingly become a benchmark institution for regional media development, attracting interest from journalist groups such as the Meru Press Club and journalists from Kisumu, among others.
Media practitioners say the hub’s model has become a reference point for structured newsroom development and training outside major urban centres.
Future plans: Fact-checking centre
Looking ahead, the hub plans to establish a fact-checking centre for the North Rift region, aimed at combating misinformation and strengthening information integrity in the digital age.
“The future of journalism depends on accuracy and trust. Fact-checking will be central to our next phase,” James Gitaka said.
With over 60 active members, expanding partnerships, and a growing digital footprint, the Eldoret Media Hub continues to position itself as a leading regional institution shaping the future of journalism through training, innovation, and community engagement under the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association.
About Author
