Senior PD journalists land top positions in parliamentary caucus
By Print Reporter, December 18, 2023Two People Daily reporters Jerry Rawlings Otieno and Mercy Mwai were on Saturday elected Chairperson and Secretary General respectively of the Political Journalists Association of Kenya (PJAK).
The duo were elected unopposed for a two-year term alongside other seven officials.
Rawlings, who has been serving as Secretary General takes over from Kennedy Murithi, who is a Political Advisor of Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
The two writers have been challenged to increase the number of the association members from 90 and ensure that they bring on board all the political reporters under PJAK.
The newly-elected Chairman said that PJAK has well established structures and systems and will leverage on the experience gathered over the years to ensure that the association remains active.
“We already have systems and structures in place. Nothing will stop us from succeeding. We have a culture of transparency and accountability and all that we do is recorded,” said Otieno.
“Be assured that we will work as a team and steer this association to greater heights. I know it will not be easy but we will do our best. We will sell this association to each and every person who will care to listen to us. We will make sure all your interests are taken care of,” Mwai said after the election.
In the elections Chemutai Goin of Citizen TV was elected Vice Chair, Samwel Owino of Daily Nation (Deputy Secretary General), Luke Awich of Star (Treasurer), Mercy Murithi of Inooro TV (Deputy Treasurer) and Patrick Vidija of Standard (Coordinator).
Eric Biegon of KBC TV was elected the Programmes Officer for the association while Winnie Miseda retained her seat as the Resource Mobilisation Officer.
Otieno brings to three the number of People Daily journalists who have been elected chairs of journalism associations.
Others are James Waindi (Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) and Zadock Angira) and Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK).