A total of thirty-eight journalists from Kisii and Nyamira counties have received accreditation cards from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) after the Council’s accreditation team visited the region.
Speaking to KNA, MCK Research and Documentation Assistant Clarice Atieno said the exercise was part of the Council’s mandate to visit various counties and accredit journalists working in different media houses.
Atieno noted that it is important for journalists to renew their press cards within the stipulated timelines instead of waiting for the Council to pass across all counties to do so.
“All qualified journalists should get accredited and for one to get accredited, the person should have a diploma and above training in Communication, Journalism or Public Relations,” she said.
Atieno added that fourth-year students pursuing Journalism and Mass Communication courses and were due for attachment could also apply for student press cards.
Geoffrey Onsarigo, a journalist from a local station, lauded MCK for reaching out to journalists in the region saying the exercise was smooth and he received his card instantly as compared to past years when one had to wait for some time to get the card even after they had been accredited.
“I thank my colleagues for coming out in large numbers to be accredited because this will make it easier for us to be identified as journalists during different functions,” he said.
Wycliff Nyaberi, another journalist, urged the Council to reduce the renewal fee for the accreditation card that is currently at Sh2000 saying if a journalist was already a registered member, they should not pay more during the renewal process.
Everlyne Osero, a journalist who was accredited for the first time, said she was doubtful about starting the process but was surprised that the exercise was smooth and faster than expected.
She urged the MCK to review the expiry date of the cards saying she has been accredited in May and hoped that her card would expire next year in May, but to her surprise, the card is valid till 31/12/2022.
In addition to providing physical accreditation services, MCK has an online accreditation portal that enables journalists operating within the Kenyan borders to make their first-time applications or renew their press cards.
MCK undertakes annual accreditation of journalists with the aim of improving professionalism among journalists as accorded by the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism in Kenya.
By Carolyne Omwamba and Vincent Nyambane
