Constitutional literacy remains a challenge among many Kenyans including media practitioners, influencers and content creators.
This was revealed during a two-day workshop in Nakuru convened by Nakuru-based Reproductive Health Champion Organization(RHCO).
The Workshop brought together Journalists, content creators and social media influencers with aim to strengthen Grassroot media on matters constitutional literacy, ethical story telling, digital safety and narrative change.
Speaking during the event, RHCO Executive Director Martin Lunalo emphasized the need for Journalists, social media influencers and content creators to understand the rights of every persons as enshrined in the constitution.
According to Lunalo, the society will only be informed if the right narratives are created by media practitioners, influencers and content creators.
“We are saying that we need to have the right narratives out there and media influencers, practitioners and content creators are the people to help achieve the same. But they first beed to under the rights of persons and what the constitution states on the same,” stated Lunalo.
He at the same time challenged the media practitioners, influencers and content creators to use their space in highlighting various issues affecting the society, communities and Kenya at large.
According to Lunalo, if the media practitioners fail, then the country fails.
Lunalo also took the media practioners through digital safety and security session, calling on them to adhere to the code of conduct and avert scenarios that might put their lives at risk.
He added that with the emergence of technology, comes numerous security challenges.
“The gadgets that we use for our communication work are now posing a threat to security and we need to see on how we use them to avoid falling into trap of digital insecurity,” he said.
And even as the elections 2027 are coming closer, RHCO has challenged journalists to remain neutral and keep off sensational story angles that might plunge the country into mayhem.
The Organization is calling on journalists and media influencers to always have the country at heart, verify every information before diseminating to the public.
“We are heading to general elections where media will play key role. It’s a call to all media practitioners and influencers to use their platforms well in sensitizing members of the public on matters Constitutional rights and Democracy. The narratives will be created by media and that is why every media practioner should know what is expected of them,” said Lunalo.
Sentiment echoed by RHCO Deputy Executive Director and Operations Lead Ms Alzira Arodi who pointed out that media practitioners are the first people who interact with community.
According to her, strengthened media practitioners is key towards a stable society where every rights are protected.
She urged Journalists and media influencers to understand the constitutional rights for every person and move with the same information in terms advocacy.
“There’s power in the technological tools even as seen during the Anti-finance Bill protests by GenZs. Therefore there is need for media influencers to understand that moving into 2027, they have a great role to play. We urge them to use their gadgets well and also ensure their safety,” stated Ms Arodi.
Journalists and media influencers who attended the session lauded RHCO for organizing the same.
Led by Enaeli Luseno, Keziah Onsongo, Moses Munyoki, and Hadassah Mwendwa, they stated that such workshops go a long way in empowering media practitioners and influencers.
According to them, if the Journalists and media influencers can understand the rights of various persons as enshrined in the constitution, then the country is headed in the right direction as they will shape narratives on the same.
RHCO vowed to hold more such engagements with the media practitioners and influencers ahead of 2027 general elections, to help Kenyans understand the power they have as enshrined in the constitution.