NAIROBI, Kenya – The much-anticipated elections for the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) have been postponed due to a lack of quorum, throwing the planned election for a new president and executive council members into disarray.
The elections, originally scheduled for April 12, 2025, were the main event of the Guild’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), but the inability to meet quorum requirements has delayed the process, leaving the leadership transition in limbo.
The KEG executive council is now set to meet and announce a new election date within 30 days, leaving members waiting for clarity on the next steps.
The postponed election was expected to be one of the most closely contested in the Guild’s history, with incumbent president Zubeidah Kananu, the first woman to hold the position, vying for re-election against prominent journalist Yvonne Okwara.
Both candidates have long been influential figures in Kenyan media, making this race a highly anticipated showdown.
It’s all systems go for the KEG AGM & Elections! Members are set to cast their ballots today @DaystarUni Valley Rd in a pivotal exercise to shape the future of the Guild.The leadership positions up for election are: ☑️KEG President ☑️Council Member-Radio ☑️Council Member–Academia
Kananu’s tenure as president has seen significant milestones for the Guild, but Okwara’s candidacy was expected to present a strong challenge, marking a high-stakes battle for the future direction of the Guild.
During a presidential debate ahead of the elections, both Kananu and Okwara cited member apathy as a major challenge facing KEG.
With a membership of just 270, the Guild has struggled to engage younger journalists, who often perceive the organization as elitist, made up primarily of veteran journalists.
Both candidates indicated that revitalizing the membership base and broadening its appeal to younger professionals would be key priorities for the incoming leadership.
Only paid-up members were eligible to participate in the election, and the failure to meet quorum during the AGM has now thrown the legitimacy of the process into question.
The delay in the election process means that the Guild will need to address member engagement and participation in order to ensure that the leadership transition can proceed smoothly.
The KEG is an essential body for senior editors across print, broadcast, digital, and other electronic media platforms.
The Guild’s mandate is to defend and promote media freedom and independence in Kenya, uphold quality journalism standards, and ensure media accountability.
The election of a new executive council is crucial as it will play a pivotal role in navigating the challenges facing the media sector, including political pressures, economic instability, and the rapid digital transformation reshaping the media landscape.
The next president and council members will be tasked with steering the Guild through these turbulent times, ensuring that the media remains a force for ethical reporting and press freedom.
