A new initiative is equipping 60 young journalists across Kenya’s Nyanza, Nairobi, and Coast regions with vital investigative and ethical journalism skills through mentorship from senior journalists, distribution of safety and ethical guidelines, and awarding of 15 investigative grants targeting corruption, human rights, and governance issues.
The SAFIRI project, implemented by the Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) in partnership with ASPEN and Free Press Unlimited, with support from the European Union, aims to foster a more independent, inclusive, and impactful media landscape in Kenya.
The project kicked off with a three-day training workshop held in Kisumu from July 9-11, 2025, gathering 20 aspiring journalists from the Nyanza and Lake region counties. Over the next few months, similar workshops are scheduled for Nairobi and Mombasa, covering the central and coastal regions, respectively.
Funded through a three-year grant running from February 2025 to February 2028, SAFIRI focuses on empowering young journalists especially those from underserved rural communities to conduct thorough, ethical, and impactful investigative reporting.
In addition to training, KCA will facilitate media dialogue forums in Nyanza, Nairobi, and the Coast to promote community engagement, inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups, and foster collaboration between journalists and diverse stakeholders to deepen understanding of the media’s role in promoting access to information, freedom of expression, and social justice.
By strengthening investigative journalism and encouraging partnerships between media and civil society, the SAFIRI project aspires to influence positive policy changes, combat misinformation, and uphold democratic values rooted in African cultural principles.
Kenyans will benefit from the SAFIRI project’s efforts to bolster investigative journalism and foster collaboration between the media and civil society.
As the country prepares for the 2027 general elections, these initiatives are critical in fighting the spread of misinformation and fake news that undermine democratic processes through equipping young journalists with the skills and resources necessary for ethical and impactful reporting ensuring that Kenyans access accurate and reliable information and build a more informed, engaged, and resilient society capable of safeguarding Kenya’s democratic integrity.
