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The Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has ushered in a new leadership team to steer the organization through the 2025–2027 term.
The leadership transition was confirmed during AMWIK’s Annual General Meeting held on June 28, 2025, at a Nairobi Hotel, where members elected a fresh team of media professionals, scholars, and development experts to drive the organization’s vision over the next two years.
Leading the new board is Chairperson Robi Koki Ochieng, a respected media and communications expert known for her work in gender equality and digital safety.
She currently serves as Chair of the Media and Communication Department at the United States International University (USIU–Africa).
Koki will be deputized by Vice Chairperson Elizabeth Limagur, a conflict reporting specialist with extensive governance experience.
The board also features Treasurer Joyce Mbataru, a development communication expert, investigative journalist Mary Mwendwa of Talk Africa, Corporate Communication specialist Lynn Nzambi, Communications and Public Relations professional Clara Micheni, and senior journalist Nancy Agutu of The Star.
In her inaugural address, Koki outlined an ambitious six-point agenda for her tenure.
“Our leadership will focus on strengthening governance systems, forging strategic partnerships, and ensuring financial sustainability,” she stated.
“Equally crucial will be our commitment to member welfare, thought leadership, and embracing digital innovation to future-proof our organization.”
Koki also emphasized the board’s servant leadership approach, pledging to work closely with the secretariat and membership to advance AMWIK’s feminist agenda. “We recognize that our role is not to dictate but to facilitate and create an enabling environment where every media woman can thrive and lead,” she added.
Outgoing Chairperson Dr. Jane Thuo reflected on the organization’s remarkable turnaround during her tenure.
“When we took office in 2021, AMWIK was grappling with financial instability and declining donor confidence,” she recounted. “Through strategic reforms, we have not only stabilized but raised our funding by 260%, strengthened our governance systems, and expanded our membership base.”
Dr. Thuo highlighted key achievements including the successful constitutional review, development of new organizational policies, and strategic investments that have secured AMWIK’s financial future.
She urged the incoming board to prioritize acquiring permanent premises and continuing to innovate member value propositions.
Executive Director Queenter Mbori presented AMWIK’s 2024 achievements, describing it as “a year of both tremendous challenges and groundbreaking impact.”
The organization made significant strides in journalists’ safety advocacy following brutal attacks on media professionals during anti-Finance Bill protests.
AMWIK’s leadership in gender advocacy saw the successful implementation of the G7 Women Governors Initiative and relentless campaigning for the two-thirds gender rule. The organization also confronted Kenya’s femicide crisis through media advocacy and the launch of a GBV helpline.
Financially, AMWIK ended 2024 with Ksh27.4 million in assets, enabling expanded programming including the USAID USAWA health reporting initiative that trained 139 journalists.
The sexual harassment in newsrooms report, revealing 60% of media professionals had experienced harassment, sparked nationwide conversations and call for policy reforms.
Looking ahead, the new board plans to deepen advocacy on media freedom and gender equality, particularly in digital spaces where women journalists face increasing online harassment.
Membership engagement, resource mobilization, and innovative partnerships will remain key pillars of the organization’s growth strategy.
Founded in 1982, AMWIK is a national organization of women journalists committed to using media to promote a gender-responsive and informed society.
