Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) has elected a new board of directors and board of trustees to steer the organisation for the 2025-2027 term.

The leadership transition was announced during the AMWIK annual general meeting held on June 28, 2025, in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s 43-year journey of advancing women’s leadership in media.

Leading the team as Chair is Robi Koki Ochieng, a respected media and communications expert known for her work in gender equality and digital safety and chair, department of media and communication at the Unites States International University (USIU-Africa).

She will be supported by Vice Chair Elizabeth Limagur, a conflict reporting specialist with extensive governance experience and Treasurer Joyce Mbataru, a development communication expert.

The board is rounded off by accomplished professionals including investigative journalist Mary Mwendwa of Talk Africa, corporate communication specialist Lynn Nzambi, senior journalist Nancy Agutu of The Star and Clara Micheni, a seasoned communications and public relations professional.

The newly constituted board of trustees features media academic Anne Anjao Eboi, communication professional Mercy Wairimu Maina, and health/environment reporter Victoria Musimbi Masaya. 

In her inaugural address, incoming AMWIK Chair Robi Koki Ochieng 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,” she added. 

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 AMWIK Chair Jane Thuo reflected on the organisation’s remarkable turnaround during her tenure.

“When we took office in 2021, AMWIK was grappling with financial instability and declining donor confidence,” she recounted.

Dr Thuo highlighted key achievements, including the successful constitutional review, development of new organisational policies and strategic investments that have secured AMWIK’s financial future.

“Through strategic reforms, we have not only stabilised but raised our funding by 260 per cent, strengthened our governance systems, and expanded our membership base,” she said.

She urged the incoming board to prioritize acquiring permanent premises and continuing to innovate member value propositions. 

AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori presented the association’s 2024 achievements, describing it as a year of both tremendous challenges and ground-breaking impact. Mbori said the organisation made significant strides in journalists’ safety advocacy following brutal attacks on media professionals during anti-Finance Bill protests. 

She said 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.

She said that the organisation also confronted Kenya’s femicide crisis through media advocacy and the launch of a GBV helpline. 

She said financially, AMWIK ended the year 2024 with Ksh27.4 million in assets, enabling expanded programming including the USAID USAWA health reporting initiative that trained 139 journalists.

The executive director said looking ahead, AMWIK will focus on consolidating its gains while addressing emerging challenges

“The sexual harassment in newsrooms report, revealing 60 per cent of media professionals had experienced harassment, sparked nationwide conversations and call for policy reforms.” She said.

She said the organisation plans to deepen its advocacy for media freedom and gender equality, particularly in the digital sphere where women journalists face escalating online harassment. 

Mboori further said that resource mobilisation remains a key priority, with plans to diversify funding streams beyond traditional grants.

“The new board will also prioritize membership growth and engagement, building on current initiatives” she said.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anita Omwenga

AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori (centre seated) and a section of the board members. Photo by Anita Omwenga