KENYA: Media Council of Kenya gives financial support to Catholic Media Houses
Media council of Kenya (MCK) CEO David Omwoyo with MCK Chairman Maina Muiruri during the announcement of grants for Media Houses.
By Rose Achiego,
The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has disbursed more than Kshs. 6 million (around USD 60,000) to Catholic Media Houses to help them in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter addressed to the Station Managers, MCK Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council, Mr. David Omwoyo, noted that the grant from the Government through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation is intended to assist community media in implementing public awareness activities as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Council appreciates that local community and vernacular outlets are authoritative and popular in the public education and awareness on COVID-19 as critical sources of information. You provide a forum for the voiceless to raise their concerns and to directly address their leaders on matters relating to health in general and COVID-19,” the letter reads in part.
Mr. Omwoyo in his letter said the engagement is expected to expand the debate on the health situation in the country by including the voice of the elected leaders and other opinion leaders from local areas in helping the Government in educating the public on the Coronavirus.
He also expressed hope that the money will enable the media houses to sustain their current employees for at least the next three months. This grant is phase one of the support and more resources are likely to be availed in future.
Meanwhile, The National Executive Secretary for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) – Commission for Social communications, Rev. Sr. Adelaide Ndilu, has thanked MCK through Mr. Omwoyo, for the kind gesture of supporting the National Communications Office, Ukweli TV, Radio Waumini and 17 other Diocesan radios across the country.
“We are happy that the Government, through MCK, has considered supporting the Church media during these difficult times for us in the industry. We appreciate this gesture and commit to put the funds into proper use,” Sr. Ndilu said.
