The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has expressed strong interest in partnering with the Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Community (MAIPAC) to support training initiatives for journalists.
During a recent visit to MAIPAC’s offices in Arusha, Tanzania, the Council commended the organization’s impactful work and pledged collaboration in enhancing journalists' capacity on climate change and the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Speaking after a briefing session with MAIPAC staff, MCK’s Director of Training and Development, Victor Bwire, highlighted the importance of cross border cooperation in addressing shared environmental challenges.
He applauded MAIPAC's commitment to grassroots journalism and promised to connect Kenyan journalists with their Tanzanian counterparts for joint training opportunities.
“There are journalists in Kenya who also work with marginalized communities, and we will facilitate their engagement with MAIPAC members for specialized training on climate change and AI.
The environmental conditions in our two countries are similar, and so are the challenges our communities face,” said Bwire.
He noted that marginalized communities across Tanzania and Kenya are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, and journalists have a critical role to play in raising awareness and helping communities build resilience.
“I commend MAIPAC for the outstanding work you are doing. This is my second visit here, and I am impressed by your projects from climate change resilience and indigenous knowledge documentation, to initiatives aimed at ending gender based violence. As journalists, your community focused approach is commendable,” he added.
MAIPAC Executive Director Mussa Juma explained that the organization comprises journalists from across Tanzania, who are dedicated to reporting on environmental issues and amplifying the voices of underserved communities.
Juma outlined several of MAIPAC’s ongoing projects, including the documentation of indigenous knowledge in environmental conservation, forest and water resource protection, and combating violence against women and children.
“These initiatives are supported by various partners, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the Small Grants Programme, coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Tanzania, the Vice President’s Office (Environment), and the international organization Cultural Survival,” said Juma.
He also emphasized the urgent need for capacity building among MAIPAC journalists in areas such as climate change reporting, the ethical use of AI, carbon markets, and regulatory compliance.
Bwire was accompanied on the visit by MAIPAC leadership, including Stella Kaaria (Manager of Fundraising and Partnerships), Careen Mang’eni, and Evaes Teddy.