By KPC Reporter
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) is seeking a strategic partnership with the Association of Kenya Community Media Organisations (AKCMO) to address funding challenges and strengthen the sustainability of community media across the country.
MCK Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Omwoyo reaffirmed the vital role played by community radio stations but warned that shrinking financial support continues to threaten their operations.
“Global disruptions have shrunk donor support, compelling stations to rethink their revenue strategies. The Council is ready to collaborate to strengthen both sustainability and the welfare of members,” said Omwoyo when he hosted AKCMO leaders at the Council’s Nairobi offices.
The high-level meeting brought together AKCMO Chairperson David Waturu and Vice Chair Lily Wangombe and focused on forging a formal framework for cooperation aimed at enhancing professionalism and financial viability within the sector.
Omwoyo said the proposed partnership will outline clear areas of collaboration, including defined roles, coordination mechanisms, and structured institutional support for community radio stations.
He added that the Council will also engage the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy alongside the Government Advertising Agency (GAA) to explore avenues for increased state support.
On capacity building, the CEO pledged that journalists working in community radio will be incorporated into upcoming training programmes on the revised Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism.
He commended the stations for maintaining professionalism despite operating under significant financial strain.
Waturu welcomed the Council’s continued backing, noting that its interventions have enabled several stations to meet subscription obligations and facilitate journalist accreditation.
He pointed to the Council’s Status of Community Media study as a demonstration of commitment to addressing structural challenges facing the sector.
“The commissioning of the study demonstrated that the Council is a genuine stakeholder in the welfare of community media,” he said, adding that the anticipated Memorandum of Understanding will formalise collaboration for the growth and advancement of the industry.
Wangombe, on her part, highlighted persistent skills gaps among some community radio journalists, revealing that a number of stations have either shut down or are operating on volunteer-run models due to financial constraints.
She stressed the urgency of targeted training programmes — including emerging areas such as artificial intelligence — to strengthen reporting capacity and newsroom resilience.
The planned pact signals a united front between the regulator and community media stakeholders, positioning the sector not only to withstand current financial pressures but also to build long-term sustainability and professional growth.