The East Africa Journalists Federation (FEAJ) has held its first special meeting in Mombasa, Kenya, since the election of its leadership last year, marking a significant step toward strengthening cooperation and addressing key challenges facing the media industry across the region.
The meeting, held on June 20, 2026, brought together journalists’ leaders and stakeholders from East African countries, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other partners.
It followed a three-day capacity-building workshop focused on migration issues and opportunities within the media sector.
FEAJ President Erick Oduor, who also leads the Kenya Union of Journalists (Kenya Union of Journalists), opened the meeting and emphasized that the federation’s main goal is to unite journalists across East Africa to work together in addressing common professional challenges.
He said journalists in the region face similar difficulties, including working conditions, safety risks, and limited institutional support.
He stressed that these challenges require a coordinated regional response, adding that FEAJ is committed to developing joint programmes and strategies that will strengthen journalism practice and improve the quality of information reaching citizens.
Oduor noted that the federation plans to roll out regional initiatives aimed at building professional capacity, encouraging collaboration, and promoting journalism that serves the public interest across member states.
He said a stronger, united media sector will help ensure citizens receive accurate, timely, and reliable information.
Speaking at the same meeting, Africa Federation of Journalists (Africa Federation of Journalists) President Omar Faruk Osman called on journalists in East Africa to support FEAJ leadership, saying unity within the profession is essential for protecting press freedom and improving journalists’ safety.
He said continental and regional cooperation remains critical in strengthening journalism standards and ensuring that media practitioners are well supported in their work.
He reaffirmed FAJ’s commitment to working with regional bodies to advance the interests of journalists and safeguard the profession.
FEAJ Secretary General Solange Ayanone said the federation is working on structured programmes to strengthen journalists’ associations across member countries.
She said these initiatives will help improve institutional capacity, governance, and coordination within media organizations.
She added that stronger associations will enable journalists to respond more effectively to industry challenges while ensuring better representation of their professional needs and rights.
Board of trustees member of JOWUTA, Caren-Tausi Mbowe, proposed that FEAJ meetings should be rotated among member countries to promote inclusivity and regional learning.
SHe also suggested that delegates should be given opportunities to visit key institutions and landmarks in host countries to enhance cross-border understanding and professional exchange.
Other leaders elected to run FEAJ for a five-year term include Vice President Patrick Oyet from South Sudan and Secretary General Solange Ayanone from Rwanda.
The leadership structure also includes representatives from Uganda and Mussa Juma of Tanzania, reflecting the federation’s regional balance and inclusivity.
FEAJ brings together journalists’ organizations from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Comoros, and Sudan, with the aim of strengthening unity, cooperation, and professional standards across East Africa’s media landscape.
Before the main meeting, participants attended a three-day regional workshop supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which focused on migration-related issues affecting the media sector, including reporting on migrant workers and cross-border movements.
The training also equipped journalists with skills on ethical reporting, safety in the field, and identifying opportunities linked to regional integration and development.
FEAJ officials said the outcomes of both the workshop and the Mombasa meeting will guide future programmes aimed at improving journalists’ training, strengthening press freedom advocacy, enhancing safety, and promoting regional collaboration.
The meeting is seen as an important milestone in strengthening East African journalism cooperation and building a more coordinated, professional, and citizen-focused media sector across the region.
