By Collins Wanzallah
Court reporters in Kenya have elected new officials to lead the Court Reporters Association of Kenya (CRAK). The election, held on Saturday in Karen, Nairobi, saw two positions contested, while the remaining posts were filled unopposed.
Susan Muhindi of Radio Africa Star newspaper was elected as Chairperson, and Caroh Kubwa of MediaMax People Daily took on the role of Treasurer. Other officials elected unopposed include Dzuiya Walter of Royal Media Services (Vice-Chairperson), Sam Kiplagat of Nation Media Group (Secretary), Rodgers Oduor of Ghetto Radio (Vice-Treasurer), and Kamau Muthoni of Standard newspaper (Chief Whip).
The election was conducted by Star Editor Jillo Kadida, a former court reporter, who served as the returning officer. The association’s patron, Justice Isaac Lenaola, a Supreme Court Judge, was present during the election.
In their inaugural speeches, the newly elected leaders pledged to advance the association and promote professionalism in court reporting. This election comes amid a challenging period for journalists, with shrinking advertising revenues and significant layoffs in the media industry, particularly in print, due to digital disruption.
The Court Reporters Association of Kenya joins several other journalist organisations, such as the Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PAK) led by Thomas Mukoya of Reuters, the Editors Guild of Kenya headed by Zubeida Kananu Koome of KTN, and the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) chaired by Zadock Angira of People Daily. Other associations include the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya, led by James Waindi of People Daily, and the Parliamentary Reporters Association, headed by Duncan Khaemba of NTV.