The Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN) has elected Dickens Wasonga as its new chairman, who has committed to fulfilling his pre-election pledges.
“We want to thank all our members who voted and supported us to enable us to ascend to the now new KJN leadership, and now that the campaigns are over, our focus will now be on fulfilling our pre-election pledges, including how we can form a cooperative society, and also to provide a platform for our members who are not affiliated to any media house to air their content,” Wasonga pointed out.
He said that his dream is to create a website that will serve as a platform for journalists who are not affiliated with any specific media house to air their content and engage professional and experienced journalists in running the website.
“We will engage an editorial team to be in charge of the website because among us are qualified technical editors with more than sufficient skills in matters of writing or even televised broadcast who will undertake the marketing of the websites to accord the necessary visibility,” said Wasonga.
He at the same time pledged to engage with the hospital insurance providers to ensure that Kisumu journalists are covered whenever they fall ill or get involved in any accident.
“It has always been that when any one of our members falls ill or is involved in any accident, we usually have no recourse but to depend on our pockets; thus, it’s my dream to pursue and actualize a group insurance cover for all our members to aid in case of any eventuality,” Wasonga noted.
He further pledged to engage with relevant stakeholders towards ensuring the growth and expansion of KUJ to have more members.
“We are just about 70 members now, but it’s our target to rope in every journalist in this region to the association so that we can strengthen matters of welfare for the journalists,” assured Wasonga.
Wasonga emerged as the winner following the bruising elections where he garnered 47 votes while his closest rival Rushdie Oudia garnered 24 votes.
By Milton Onyango
