By KPC Students
The Kisii Press Club (KPC) office in Kisii Town hosted a mentorship session on Thursday, attended by students attached to the club, Radio Vuna, and the Kenya News Agency – Kisii.
The first cohort of the mentorship initiative was drawn from various universities, including Tom Mboya, Kisii, Chuka, Kibabii, and Maasai Mara. They have been on attachment for a month.
The session included open dialogue, with the attachees encouraged to share their experiences and discuss some of the tasks they have undertaken while on attachment.
Veteran journalist, editor and trainer Ken Bosire, who was the main facilitator, urged the upcoming journalists to uphold ethical standards and encouraged them to read widely in order to acquire knowledge and understanding of diverse issues.
“Ignorance, poverty, and disease are the major enemies that Kenya has fought since independence. I urge us to read more and kick ignorance out of journalism,” Bosire said.
He challenged the students to be fair to one another, respect their peers, dress appropriately, and avoid harassing colleagues.
“Sexual harassment anywhere, including at the workplace, is an offence,” he said.
Bosire emphasised the importance of building good networks with the aim of journalists uplifting one another in the media space.
He noted that no journalist operates in isolation and underscored the value of mentorship, peer connections, and establishing a reliable professional network.
The trainer further added that emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), should not be seen as a threat but rather as a timely tool for journalists to use ethically in their work.
“AI should not scare writers, editors, and anchors into thinking they will lose their jobs. It is a tool to help them perfect their work—so long as it is used within stipulated guidelines,” Bosire said.
He noted that most guidelines, including those on the use of AI in newsrooms, as well as the updated code of conduct for journalists, are available on the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) website, and he encouraged the trainees to familiarise themselves with the documents.
Bosire added that proficiency is essential for journalists to produce quality news and create impactful content.
“Perfecting your writing and editing skills will enable you to convey information clearly and engagingly,” he said.
“You cannot be a good communicator if you have nothing to communicate.”
The attendees were excited to receive new tips and guidance from the seasoned scribe.
The mentorship was a call to action: to pursue knowledge relentlessly and uphold ethical standards in order to build meaningful and professional relationships.
KPC emerged from the Gusii Scribes Welfare Association (GUSWA), and according to officials, similar sessions will be organised in the coming days.
“We thank the MCK for giving us a physical space to operate from, and we will ensure that KPC contributes positively towards enhancing professionalism in journalism,” said club chairman Nyang’au Araka.
Reported by Chipanga Daniel, Rhoda Lanoi, Dories Kwamboka, and Faith Mondester