Uasin Gishu Journalists Association has lauded the Meru Press Club’s Anti-Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Mental Health Awareness Run, to be held on 20th September.
While pledging support for the event, the Association chairman James Gitaka, said they were ready to travel over 800-kilometre to participate in the event.
“This initiative is not only life-changing but also a wake-up call to the entire journalism fraternity and the nation at large,” Gitaka said
Running Toward Healing
The event, organized by Meru Press Club with support from from county, national government, leaders and local stakeholders, will bring together various stakeholders for the noble run that will take place at Meru university of science and Technology.
Gitaka said the run is aimed at raising awareness about the rising cases of gender-based violence in the country and the often-overlooked mental toll that journalism takes on its practitioners.
“In a profession where one in every ten journalists across Africa has considered suicide, and 80% suffer burnout from constant trauma coverage, these kinds of initiatives are not just timely but they’re essential so we really thank Meru press club for coming up with this critical initiative we are are fully behind them,” Gitaka noted.
Kenyan media, he added, has often been the first to break stories of tragedy, conflict, or societal injustice but rarely turns the lens inward.
“We tell the stories, but who tells ours?” Lamented Gitaka .
A Shared Struggle, A Collective Response
Gitaka highlighted a disturbing statistic whereby 97 percent of Kenyan journalists do not believe they are immune to mental health struggles.
Yet support systems remain scarce, and conversations about burnout, depression, or secondary trauma are still taboo in many newsrooms.
“This run is a symbolic gesture, but it also marks a turning point .We are saying we see each other, we stand by each other, and we will not be silent anymore.” he added .
Quoting Dr Martin Luther King Jr., Gitaka said the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Let this be the moment we stop being silent but be friends to those battling mental health issues or survivors of gender-based violence within our own media houses.” said the chairman .
Gitaka also took a moment to commend the Media Council of Kenya for championing the formation of regional journalists’ associations, crediting them with creating platforms that prioritize both professional growth and personal welfare.
“These county-based associations are more than just unions or clubs they are lifelines. They are where journalists can find solidarity, seek help, and push for better working conditions, especially on matters affecting mental health and safety.” he added .
Looking Ahead
Gitaka proposed a nationwide mental health taskforce made up of media professionals, and more frequent workshops on trauma-informed reporting.
“This is not the end it is only the beginning of a larger national movement one that prioritizes people over deadlines, healing over hustle.” he added on behalf other members .
A New Kind of Story
According to MPC chairman David Muchui who welcomed the support said in the world of journalism, where deadlines are tight and the news never stops, the well-being of those behind the headlines often takes a back seat.
“It was not about covering someone else’s tragedy. It was about confronting their own,” said Muchui .
