Women journalists in Meru County have launched the Meru Women Journalists Community-Based Organisation (CBO), in a move aimed at strengthening unity, protecting female media practitioners, and improving their professional and financial well-being.
The colourful event, held at Gitoro Pastoral Centre in North Imenti, brought together journalists, clergy, politicians, teachers, security administrators, and representatives from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), who pledged support for the newly formed organisation.
Meru Women Journalists Chairperson, Mugure Riungu said the Organisation was formed to unite women journalists, strengthen their professional capacity, promote financial empowerment, and enable them to serve communities more effectively.
She said the CBO will also champion the rights and safety of women journalists, noting that behind cameras and microphones are mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters who deserve protection while carrying out their duties.
The Director, Media Training and Development, Media Council of Kenya, Victor Bwire, announced that MCK will partner with Google to train journalists on financial literacy before the end of the month and revealed that a new media centre in Meru, complete with free Wi-Fi and editing spaces, will be ready within 10 weeks.
He also said MCK will conduct training on election coverage, misinformation, disinformation, and journalists’ safety ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Veteran Journalist, Ireen Karamuta Masaki, who has served in the media industry for 13 years, said unity among journalists has often been difficult because of political interference and intimidation.
She urged journalists to remain neutral, professional, and steadfast despite pressure from politicians and other interests.
Municipality Ward representative Rose Salim said the launch marked a new chapter in ensuring women journalists receive the respect and recognition they deserve.
Assistant Chief, Festus Mawira of Igoki, Ntima Location, pledged support from the national administration, saying journalists remain key partners in communicating government programmes and community development.
Meru County Clergy Forum Chairman Bishop Peter Imuru urged journalists to organise themselves, plan financially for retirement, and use the organization to create opportunities and protection for members.
Director of the Meru Clergy Association, Bishop Shadrack Matheta, encouraged women journalists to remain courageous, saying women have played an important role in communicating truth since biblical times.
South Imenti Parliamentary aspirant and lawyer, Mukaria Muriuki, called on the government to protect journalists during the approaching political season and urged leaders to reject violence and intimidation against media practitioners.
Meru Press Club Chairman, David Muchui, said the Journalist Organization was born from an idea within the Meru Press Club and urged members to resist division.
He announced plans to establish a journalists’ Sacco to help media practitioners retire with dignity.
KNUT Official, Castone Miungi called for unity among journalists, while Meru CEC for Finance Monica Kathono, encouraged members not to give up on the initiative.
Deputy Governor, Linda Kiome, conveyed Governor Isaac Mutuma’s support for the organisation and urged members to nurture upcoming journalists, remain united, and keep politics out of initiatives meant to uplift the profession.
By Kamanja Maeria and Brenda Gakii
