By KPC Reporter in Arusha
David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), has been elected as the new Chairperson of the East African Press Councils (EAPC).
The announcement was made during the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit going on in Arusha, where delegates from across the region have convened to chart a unified path forward.
Omwoyo, who previously served as EAPC Secretary, now steps into the top leadership role, succeeding Tanzania’s Kajubi Mukajanga.
His election signals a shift toward harmonised media standards and deeper collaboration among East African nations.
“I am pleased that the resolve of media regulators in East Africa in 2019 to have a media that operates within values that we respect is finally achieved,” Omwoyo said during the launch of EAPC’s inaugural Strategic Plan.
The EAPC, established in 2023, brings together media councils from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.
Under Omwoyo’s leadership, the council is expected to champion press freedom, regional accreditation protocols, and a state-of-the-media survey that reflects the realities of journalism across the bloc.
Joining Omwoyo in the new leadership team are Ernest Sungura of Tanzania as Vice-Chairperson and Peter Okello Jabweli of Uganda as Secretary.
Together, they will steer the council through its ambitious 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on innovation, sustainability, and high-quality journalism.
Omwoyo’s rise to regional prominence builds on his transformative work at MCK, where he has expanded the council’s reach, supported journalists during crises, and advocated for ethical media practices.
Under the theme “Advancing Media and Communication Regulations for Journalism Excellence in Africa,” the summit in Arusha is tackling pressing issues such as artificial intelligence in journalism, digital transformation, misinformation, and inclusive media governance.