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Since 2016 when my name first appeared in press concerning my private life, I have done some interviews and turned down alot more than I have accepted. Often my interviews are focused on the work I do in the hope that it educates and empowers others.
My argument has always been that my personal life is not news worthy.
As I understand it, the job of media is to inform, educate and empower. This is the essence of free press - to enhance critical thought and then to drive positive change. #StoriesIWantToRead
Since the focus is on me again and I still don't consider myself newsworthy, here are a couple of stories that I wish were national news. These are stories, I would like to see on the front page: #StoriesIWantToRead
Kenya’s first male Taekwondo Olympian eulogised as tough opponent. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-09-11-kenyas-first-male-taekwondo-olympian-eulogised-as-tough-opponent/ #StoriesIWantToRead
Metal artist uses talent to make masks for less fortunate. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/metal-artist-uses-talent-to-make-masks-for-less-fortunate-1442374 #StoriesIWantToRead
Wangechi Mutu: A New Face for the Met. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/05/arts/design/wangechi-mutu-metropolitan-museum.html #StoriesIWantToRead
Kenyan farmers take new approach to sales during COVID-19 lockdown. https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/04/kenyan-farmers-take-new-approach-to-sales-during-covid-19-lockdown/ #StoriesIWantToRead
Lexus Crowns First-Ever African Winner for Its Prestigious Annual Design Award. https://www.admiddleeast.com/architecture-interiors/architecture/kenya-lexus-design-award-2020-winner #StoriesIWantToRead
Kenya-US free trade talks are under way: what Nairobi must get right from start. https://theconversation.com/kenya-us-free-trade-talks-are-under-way-what-nairobi-must-get-right-from-start-144129 #StoriesIWantToRead
America wants to export more plastic to Kenya. https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-08-31-america-wants-to-export-more-plastic-to-kenya/ #StoriesIWantToRead
Lights in the Ocean: Seeing Potential in Kenya’s Blue Economy https://www.theelephant.info/ideas/2020/08/21/lights-in-the-ocean-seeing-potential-in-kenyas-blue-economy/ #StoriesIWantToRead
Plan to fence off Nairobi national park angers Maasai and conservationists https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/16/fencing-plan-for-kenyas-oldest-national-park-angers-maasai-and-conservationists-aoe #StoriesIWantToRead
Dedan Kimathi’s daughter arrested https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/central/article/2001385678/dedan-kimathi-s-daughter-arrested
Small businesses spring up in Kenya as citizens adapt to COVID-19 environment. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/12/c_139048471.htm #StoriesIWantToRead
I spent 21 years of my life angry before I realised we in the slums must lead change. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/commentisfree/2019/aug/07/i-spent-21-years-of-my-life-angry-before-i-realised-we-in-the-slums-must-lead-change
I want to see change in my country. But it has to start with media, the very powerful source of infomation that unlike alot of other institutions, we still have some level of trust in.
It is not by chance that media is called the 4th Estate. In lieu of a strong opposition, media really should be holding fort.
There was a time when newspapers spoke such truth to power that people read particular articles in secret. Folding the paper over so as not to reveal the questions that articles raised.
"The media are not the holders of power, but they constitute by and large the space where power is decided." - Manuel Castelles
It's time that the media handed power back to the people. It can only do so if it provides content that informs, educates and empowers. The media can raise consciousness, can fullfil the greatest role in redirecting our country from the bleak future that we are hurrying toward.
Kenyans are capable of radical change. Kenyans are capable of innovation and are of great resilience. The media should not waste us by having us believe that we have nothing of substance that is newsworthy.
We also don't have much time to waste. I am not the news. The news is what we are leaving in the dark. Media can determine the future of our country everyday, on that front page by casting light into the dark. On just that one page, media can make or break us as a nation.
It is time.
