A major gap in leadership within Kenya’s media sector has been exposed in a new report that shows women continue to occupy only a very small share of senior roles, raising fresh concerns about fairness, representation, and the direction of newsroom decision-making.
The findings are contained in the State of Women in Media Report 2025–26 released by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), which shows that leadership in media houses remains heavily dominated by men, with women still largely excluded from positions of influence.
The report indicates that women hold just 2.8 per cent of media management positions and 3.7 per cent of editorial leadership roles. It further reveals that men control more than 95 per cent of media ownership, a situation that continues to limit women’s participation in shaping newsroom policies and editorial direction.
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AMWIK Executive director Queenter Mbori said the figures reflect long-standing structural barriers that continue to affect balance and fairness in the industry.
“When you look at media management, we are talking about very low numbers—2.8 percent. In reverse, that means over 95 per cent of media ownership in this country is by men. That denies us a balanced perspective and the opportunity to serve this nation better,” she said.
She added that women’s representation in editorial leadership remains low at 3.7 per cent, a gap that continues to influence newsroom priorities, coverage choices, and the framing of stories.
While the report notes a slight improvement since 2022, it points out that only one legacy media house, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, currently has a woman in the top leadership position. Others mentioned include Tuko Media, Willow Health and Defrontera.
The study also highlights a growing trend of women leaving journalism early, with many exiting before reaching senior positions due to limited career progression and lack of structured support. This has led to a loss of experience and continuity within newsrooms.
Attention is also drawn to preparations for the 2027 elections, where the report warns that about 70 per cent of journalists expected to cover the polls have never handled election reporting before. It says this experience gap could affect the quality and depth of political reporting.
“That presents both a problem and an opportunity,” Mbori said. “A problem because we must urgently equip new entrants with the skills to cover elections responsibly, but also an opportunity to reshape how election reporting is done.”
Radio Africa Group Digital Editor Francis Mureithi urged journalists, especially women, to expand their skills to remain competitive in a changing media environment.
“I always say AI is the best things that ever happened in newsrooms. When you have a diverse skillset, you increase your chances of getting employment even outside the newsroom and also reduce your chances of being declared redundant,” he said.
The report further points to internal newsroom challenges, including limited promotions and exclusion from major assignments, which are pushing many young women out of the profession.
“It’s not a very good space for women in the media right now. Young women are leaving not because of age, but because of the challenges they face—lack of promotion and not being given important roles,” said Judy Kaberia, senior project manager at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
She called for stronger investment in mentorship, training, and innovation to help women remain and grow in journalism, especially as the country approaches the election period.
“With elections approaching, we have a duty as development partners to support the media through training, sharing lessons from past elections and ensuring journalists are prepared for the current political climate,” Kaberia said.
Safety concerns remain a key issue, with women journalists continuing to face sexual harassment, physical attacks, and online abuse. The report notes that these risks often increase during election periods, making reporting more difficult and more dangerous.
“Women are more vulnerable. We must prepare them in terms of safety while also supporting journalists generally,” Kaberia said.
The report also highlights rising concerns over technology-related gender-based violence and mental health pressures within newsrooms, which continue to affect women more heavily than their male colleagues.
Mbori said the report is meant to push action and not remain on paper.
“This is not a document to sit on shelves. It should guide interventions and help create an enabling environment for women journalists,” she said.
The findings were presented during an AMWIK media conference that brought together journalists, editors, and stakeholders to discuss the future of women in the media industry. The organisation also announced plans to monitor progress annually through scorecards aimed at holding media houses accountable.
Even with recognition of a few women who have risen to leadership positions, stakeholders say urgent reforms are needed. They warn that without improvements in leadership access, pay equity, safety, and training, more women will continue leaving journalism, weakening the profession at a critical political moment.
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