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Journalists from Nakuru Region Plant Over 1000 Trees at Egerton University to Mark World Press Freedom Day
On World Press Freedom Day, journalists in the Nakuru Region of Kenya took a unique approach to celebrate their profession. Instead of organizing a conference or symposium, they organized a tree-growing exercise at Egerton University, Tatoon Farm Dam I site to promote environmental conservation.
Over 50 journalists from the region participated in the exercise, planting over 1000 trees in the university's Main Campus. The Press Forest Corner was allocated to the journalists to commemorate the important day and maintain the forest as part of their contribution to Mau conservation. The journalists' efforts demonstrated their commitment to giving back to society and engaging in activities that promote environmental sustainability and mitigate against climate change.
During the event, the Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Bernard Aduda, welcomed the communication specialists and praised their efforts in reporting stories from the region with integrity and factual accuracy. The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized the importance of promoting a free press that engages in self-regulation while remaining truthful.
“This is very encouraging that you are here to plant trees. I think this is positive news. Most of the time we are having negative news which essentially does not build but destroys. Positive news builds,” he said. He went on to say, "As journalists, you have a key role to play in promoting transparency and accountability in our society. You must report factually and uphold integrity at all times, and this is critical in promoting a free press that engages in self-regulation while remaining truthful."
It is notable that five of the journalists who participated in the exercise are alumni of Egerton University, having studied their undergraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication successfully. These alumni, who include Mr. Kioko Kivandi (Egerton Radio), Yvonne Chepkwony (Writer, Standard Newspaper), Jane Wakio (Correspondent, Deutsche Welle), Emily Kato (Reporter, Kenya News Agency), and John Barasa (Freelance Journalist), demonstrated their commitment to environmental conservation by participating in the tree growing exercise.
Egerton University's Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization, Professor Paul Kimurto, led the exercise, accompanied by a team comprising Manager Marketing and Communications, Agnes Mwangi, Senior Assistant Registrar, Fridah Murugi, Alumni Relations Coordinator who doubles as the Communications studies Coordinator, Dr. Hillary Chakava, and Mr. Kurian Musa, Susan Mbanda both Communications Officer in the University.
Speaking about the event, Professor Kimurto said, "We are pleased to have had the journalists from the Nakuru Region join us today to plant trees in celebration of World Press Freedom Day. We hope that this event will help to foster a closer relationship between the university and the media fraternity in the region."
The alumni coordinator Dr. Chakava praised the journalists for their commitment to promoting environmental conservation. He said, "As communicators, journalists have an important role to play in promoting environmental conservation. We are proud of the journalists who have joined us today to grow trees, and we hope that this will inspire others in the profession to follow their example." The event was particularly significant for the five journalists who participated in the exercise and are alumni of Egerton University. Later on, the Alumni office took a group photo with the five Alumni who are practicing Journalism in the region.
Mr. Kioko Kivandi, who works for Egerton Radio, said, "As alumni of Egerton University, it feels good to come back and give back to our alma mater. We hope that our efforts will inspire others in the media fraternity to engage in similar initiatives."
Ms. Mwangi, who played a key role in organizing the event, emphasized the importance of collaboration between institutions of higher learning and the media fraternity. She said, "The media fraternity and institutions of higher learning have a lot to gain from working together. Collaboration between the two can lead to the production of quality content that is grounded in research and fact-checking."
The journalists in the Nakuru Region have set an example by using World Press Freedom Day to promote environmental conservation. Their efforts demonstrate that journalism goes beyond reporting and can be a catalyst for positive change in society.
They took time to wish well their colleagues who were away in training since they are finalists in the Annual Journalist Excellence Awards, which are held annually in Kenya through the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) led by its Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo. He also worked at Egerton University as Manager of Resource Mobilization before joining the Media Council.
Yvonne Chepkwony, a writer for Standard Newspaper, said, "The media has a responsibility to promote environmental conservation, and today's event shows that we are committed to playing our part in achieving this. We must continue to work together to create a sustainable future for our planet."
Jane Wakio, a correspondent for Deutsche Welle, emphasized the importance of media practitioners engaging in initiatives that benefit society. She said, "As journalists, we have a unique role in society, and we must use our platforms to create positive change. Today's tree-planting exercise is just one example of how we can work together to promote environmental conservation and contribute to a sustainable future."
Emily Kato, a reporter for Kenya News Agency, echoed these sentiments, saying, "As journalists, we must remain committed to upholding the values of our profession. Today's event is a reminder of our role to society.”
The tree-planting exercise was also an opportunity for the journalists to reflect on the importance of press freedom and the role of the media in promoting democracy and good governance. Professor Benard Aduda, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Egerton University, who addressed the journalists, emphasized the importance of press freedom in promoting accountability and transparency.
Written by: Kurian Musa, a Journalist working Directorate of Marketing and Resource Mobilization.