By Peace Muthoka.
Nairobi, Kenya – As funding for health and development programs continues to dwindle across Africa, the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) has sounded the alarm, urging journalists to go beyond the headlines and expose the true impact on communities.
In a candid session held today on July 24, 2025 under KEG’s ongoing Thought Leadership Series, editors and reporters gathered to explore the far-reaching consequences of aid cuts and how newsrooms can better cover this critical issue.
The forum brought together media practitioners, health experts, and development partners for a thought-provoking dialogue on the intersection of journalism, policy, and people’s lives.
Speaking at the event, KEG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rosalia Omungo led the conversation, reminding journalists of their responsibility to uphold high standards in health and development reporting.
The CEO stressed on the need for storytelling that not only presents facts and figures but also captures human experiences and the ripple effects of funding shortfalls.
“As journalists, we must take time to understand the real impact these funding cuts have on communities,” Omungo said. “Newsrooms have a duty to ask tough questions and present information that helps citizens and policymakers see the bigger picture.”
At the same time, health experts added urgency to the conversation. Dr. Willis Akhwale, Special Advisor at End Malaria Kenya, noted that focusing solely on the cost of commodities misses the full picture. “Effective health delivery requires skilled personnel, responsive systems, monitoring tools, and strong research capacity,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Amref Health Africa Group CEO Dr. Githinji Gitahi urged a shift from curative to preventive and community-based healthcare, emphasizing that Kenya’s health system is largely sustained by citizen taxes and personal spending not just donor funding.
Development Dynamics CEO Erick Gitau highlighted the opacity of Official Development Assistance (ODA), warning that such aid does not always reach its intended beneficiaries. He called for greater scrutiny and transparency in donor agreements.Throughout the session, editors were encouraged to give more airtime and print space to stories on funding cuts and their consequences.
The Guild also pledged continued support through training and collaboration to ensure journalists are equipped to cover health and development with depth and clarity.
