Nairobi — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has opened a new chapter with Kenya’s media and development leaders, vowing to work more closely with partners to tell the country’s development story through the eyes of its people.
In a meeting held in Nairobi, the UNDP hosted the Kenya Editors’ Guild alongside other key partners in what it called the Communications Partners Forum. The gathering, described by organisers as “rich and meaningful”, focused on how to better collaborate on visibility, storytelling and strategic messaging ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general elections.
UNDP is committed to strengthening partnerships for impactful communications
The meeting explored ways to unlock synergies and amplify the stories that drive Kenya’s development journey forward.
Among those in attendance were leaders from the Kenya Editors’ Guild, the European Union, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Danish and Italian development agencies, the Kenya School of Government, and senior media practitioners.
The conversation went beyond surface-level support. Attendees discussed the importance of focusing not just on programmes but on the people behind the data—the beneficiaries whose lives have changed through development work.
“We must shine a light on the real impact. The faces, the stories, the resilience. That’s what connects with the public,” said Rosalia Omungo, CEO of the Kenya Editors’ Guild.
The partners also acknowledged the growing urgency of credible, independent information ahead of Kenya’s next election cycle. They pledged to begin early conversations and collaborations on civic education, misinformation, and election preparedness.
To maintain momentum, the group agreed to hold quarterly meetings. These check-ins, according to participants, will serve as a space to refine joint strategies and evaluate progress.
A joint communication activity, to be led by the UNDP, is already in the works. It is expected to bring together storytellers, government agencies, and local communities in a bid to bridge the gap between policy and public understanding.
The forum closed on a hopeful note—with a shared vision to bring more depth, collaboration, and transparency to how Kenya’s development story is told.
