MCK Hosts First-Ever Secondary School Journalism Expo, Unveils New Talent Pipeline for Young Media Stars in Western Kenya

The Media Council of Kenya (Media Council of Kenya), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has hosted an inaugural secondary school journalism expo aimed at nurturing young media talent and promoting responsible journalism among learners.

The event, held at Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School in Kakamega County, brought together Journalism Club students from across the western region under the theme of strengthening practical media skills and ethical content creation.

The expo targeted students involved in journalism clubs, offering them hands-on exposure to news production, reporting, broadcasting, and responsible content dissemination across both digital and traditional platforms.

More than 800 students from at least 38 secondary schools and TVET institutions participated in the event, making it one of the largest student journalism gatherings in the region.

Speaking during the event, MCK Director of Media Training and Development Victor Bwire said the initiative is designed to identify and nurture talent early, helping students build careers in journalism or related digital media fields.

“Students can proceed to university or other institutions but can also be self-employed through channels like YouTube and content creation to make money,” said Bwire, adding that the media sector has significant potential for job creation.

Participants competed in various categories including news anchoring, podcasting, interviewing, sports broadcasting, and ethical reporting, with judges evaluating both technical skill and professionalism.

Oscar Busera, Executive Secretary of the Western Region Students’ Journalism Council, described the expo as a historic milestone, noting that it is the first initiative of its kind in Kenya focused on high school journalism development.

He said the event provided a rare opportunity for students with shared interests to network, exchange ideas, and interact with seasoned media practitioners.

Teachers and club patrons also praised the initiative, saying it bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world media practice.

Titus Kimakwa, Chairperson of the Western Journalism Clubs and a teacher at Mukumu Girls High School, said the expo was essential in shaping responsible communicators at a time when misinformation and poor content dissemination are on the rise.

Nicholas Onyango, a teacher and club patron from Idah Odinga Girls School in Siaya County, welcomed the training, saying it aligns with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and prepares learners for opportunities in the evolving digital media space.

The Kenya News Agency (Kenya News Agency) also participated in the expo, showcasing news-gathering equipment and highlighting the evolution of the organization over the years.

Officials from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (Office of the Data Protection Commissioner) also trained students on safeguarding personal data in the digital age.

The Media Council of Kenya announced that a similar expo will be held in Homa Bay County on May 24, as part of its ongoing nationwide youth media development programme.

The initiative is expected to expand opportunities for young aspiring journalists while promoting ethical, informed, and professional storytelling among Kenya’s next generation of media practitioners.