Media Council of Kenya Hosts First Secondary School Journalism Expo in Kakamega
More than 800 students attended the inaugural Media Council of Kenya journalism expo in Kakamega aimed at nurturing young media talent and promoting ethical journalism skills.
MCK Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has held its inaugural journalism expo for secondary school students from the Western region at Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School.
The event, which brought together students involved in journalism clubs, aimed to equip learners with skills in news production, ethical reporting, and responsible media consumption in the digital age.
More than 800 students drawn from at least 38 secondary schools and TVET institutions across the region attended the expo, where they engaged in practical media training sessions and competitions.
Speaking during the event, Victor Bwire, MCK’s Director of Media Training and Development, said the initiative seeks to identify and nurture journalism talent at an early stage.
“This expo gives us an opportunity to identify talented students and begin mentoring them in areas where they show potential,” said Bwire.
He noted that journalism and digital content creation continue to open employment opportunities for young people beyond traditional newsroom jobs.
“Students can pursue journalism professionally in universities and colleges, but they can also become self-employed through digital platforms such as YouTube and other online content channels. This contributes to job creation in the country,” he added.
The students competed in several categories including news anchoring, podcasting, interviewing, sports broadcasting, ethical reporting, and news writing.
According to Oscar Busera, the expo marks the first event of its kind targeting student journalists in Kenya.
“It is important for students to discover and grow their journalism talents while still in high school because the media industry offers many career opportunities,” Busera said.
He added that the platform also allowed learners with shared interests in media to network, exchange ideas, and interact with experienced journalists.
Titus Kimakwa, who also teaches at Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School, said the expo was timely due to the changing nature of media and communication.
“Today, information spreads very fast, especially online, and sometimes negatively. These training sessions will help guide students on professional and responsible communication,” he said.
Nicholas Onyango, a journalism club patron at Idah Odinga Girls School, praised MCK for creating a platform that equips students with practical skills in modern media.
“With technology rapidly transforming journalism, students need proper training and exposure to prepare them for the digital era and competency-based learning,” Onyango noted.
The Kenya News Agency (KNA) also participated in the expo by showcasing media equipment and publications highlighting the evolution of journalism in Kenya.
Officials from the Office of the Data Protection Commission were also present and trained students on the importance of protecting personal data and digital privacy.
MCK announced that the next student journalism expo will be held on May 24 in Homa Bay County as part of efforts to expand journalism training opportunities for learners across the country.
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