The race for the leadership of the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) has officially started following the release of the final list of nominated candidates for the 2025 elections.

The polls are slated for Saturday.

In a statement, Sophie Kaibiria, the returning officer KEG election, released the list of contenders for the positions of President, Vice-President, Members of Council and Trustees.

The nominations were reviewed and approved in accordance with Article VI of the KEG constitution (2023) and the KEG elections Policy Guidelines issued on March 3.

“With respect to the contested positions, the publication of this notice marks the official commencement of official campaigns in line with section 4.1 of the KEG election Guidelines and terminate at midnight on April 11, 2025,” Kaibiria stated.

Veteran journalists Zubeidah Kananu and Yvonne Okwara will go head-to-head in a closely watched contest for the presidency of the influential editors’ body.

Kananu of KTN and who is defending her seat cites proven leadership, being a champion for equality, mentor and builder, innovator with vision and defender of press freedom as reasons why she should be re-elected.

Okwara from Royal Media Services is promising to ensure media sustainability, innovation and dialogue, stronger annual conventions, training and capacity building, bridging generational gaps and new business models if propelled to the KEG top seat.

The Vice President position has only one candidate, Francis Openda, who has been declared duly elected unopposed.

Campaign period

Other candidates who have been elected unopposed include Linda Bach of Mediamax Network Ltd (representing Print Media), Kenfrey Kiberenge of Nation Media Group (Online Media), and Millicent Awuor (Television).

In the Trustees category, three candidates Martin Masai, Ruth Nesoba, and Mbugua Ng’ang’a were the only nominees and have thus been declared elected.

Journalists Toepista Nabusoba and Agnes Mwangangi are battling to be Radio representatives while academics Nathan Nayere Masambu of Daystar University and Dr Julius Ombui Bosire of Technical University of Kenya want to represent the Academia.

The publication of the candidates list marks the official start of the campaign period for the contested positions, as outlined in section 4.1 of the KEG Elections Guidelines. Campaigns will run until Friday midnight ahead of the polls planned for Saturday at Daystar University.

The KEG elections come at a critical time for the media industry, which continues to grapple with evolving technology, threats to press freedom, and the need for enhanced ethical standards.

This year’s polls have also attracted huge interest from stakeholders due to the crucial role KEG plays in shaping the media industry in Kenya. The industry is facing huge technological transformation and challenges that have resulted in mass sackings and pose a threat to the survival of traditional media.

Free process

Like its counterparts globally, Kenya’s media is grappling with issues about how AI is reshaping media, journalism and information, with the KEG leaders expected to help lead discussions on future of journalism, explore the transformative power of AI in media, engage with global experts and innovators, and tackle critical challenges at the intersection of technology and press freedom.

In her statement, Kaibiria emphasised that candidates are advised to strictly adhere to the Elections Code of Ethics stipulated in the election guidelines during the official campaign period.

The Returning Officer reaffirmed the commitment to a free, fair, and transparent electoral process, urging members and candidates to uphold professionalism and integrity in the run-up to the elections.