NAIROBI – Kenya’s top media editors are set to gather in Kilifi this week for their Annual Convention to deliberate on the formidable challenges of maintaining truth and public trust in an era of rapid technological change. The summit, themed 'Truth, Trust and Technology: The Place of Journalism,' is spearheaded by Zubeidah Kananu, who continues her influential role as President of the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) following her widely publicized departure from the Standard Group PLC in September 2025.

The convention comes at a critical juncture for the Kenyan media landscape. Public confidence in the media has shown signs of weakening, a trend corroborated by a recent Media Council of Kenya report which found that only 23% of Kenyans have ‘a lot of trust’ in the media, while 51% hold ‘some trust’. In a guest column published on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Kananu framed the convention not merely as a reflection but as a “call to action” for the industry. She argued that while technology has empowered journalism, it has also enabled the rampant spread of misinformation, forcing truth to compete with distortion at an unprecedented scale.

A New Chapter Amid Industry Challenges

Ms. Kananu’s leadership of this crucial industry dialogue follows her own significant professional transition. On Thursday, September 25, 2025, she announced her exit from KTN, her professional home for 18 years, where she rose from an intern in 2007 to a distinguished prime-time Swahili news anchor and producer. In a farewell letter, she described the period as a chapter “filled with growth, learning, challenges, and friendships,” but affirmed that her departure would not impact her leadership at the Guild.

Her commitment to the broader industry was solidified in May 2025, when she was re-elected as KEG President for the 2025-2027 term, securing 72 votes against challenger Yvonne Okwara of Citizen TV, who received 58 votes. In her farewell statement from KTN, Kananu reiterated her dedication to the Guild’s mission, stating, “I am fully committed to continuing the work we have begun together — strengthening ethical journalism, protecting press freedom, and nurturing the next generation of media leaders.”

Press Freedom and Democratic Integrity

The Kilifi summit’s agenda is expected to address the persistent threats to press freedom in Kenya. In her recent column, Kananu referenced past incidents, including the unlawful government-ordered shutdown of live broadcasts during a critical national event, as a “deliberate attack on the public’s right to know.” The KEG, under her leadership, has actively engaged in advocacy, including discussions with the Parliamentary Committee on ICT and the Ministry of ICT to amend the Media Council Act to bolster the regulator's independence.

With the 2027 general election on the horizon, the stakes for a credible and trusted media are exceptionally high. Kananu has emphasized that the integrity of Kenya’s democracy is directly linked to the integrity of information available to the public. The convention aims to equip editors and newsrooms with strategies to innovate without compromising ethical standards and to reclaim their authority as gatekeepers of verified information.

Born in Meru County, Kananu’s career has been marked by a deep engagement with Kenya’s most significant political and social events, from the 2007 post-election crisis to moderating the 2022 Deputy Presidential debate. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and a Master's in Governance, Peace and Security, academic credentials that have informed her coverage of complex national issues. As she steers the Guild through this period of introspection and strategic planning, the outcomes of the Kilifi convention will be closely watched, signaling the future direction for Kenyan journalism in a challenging digital world.