- With an illustrious media career spanning over 30 years, Josephine Karani has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s broadcasting history.
- Throughout her time at KBC, Karani directed and produced numerous programs that tackled critical social issues, celebrated African culture, and encouraged informed public dialogue.
- Her life’s work exemplifies the values that journalism should stand for: integrity, empathy, knowledge, and transformation.
In a powerful celebration of journalistic excellence, resilience, and leadership, veteran broadcaster and media trainer Josephine Karani was on Friday, May 16, 2025, honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) hosted by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
The event, held in Nairobi, brought together Kenya’s top media professionals, government officials, educators, and communication experts to recognize those shaping the nation’s media landscape.
This prestigious award, presented to her by Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary of ICT and Broadcasting, celebrates more than just years of service; it is a national recognition of Ms. Karani’s profound influence on Kenyan broadcasting, her dedication to empowering young journalists, and her exceptional commitment to ethical journalism and social impact through media.
A Towering Media Legacy
With an illustrious media career spanning over 30 years, Josephine Karani has left an indelible mark on Kenya’s broadcasting history. She began her journey at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) where she rose through the ranks to become Chief Producer – Television. Her leadership helped shape educational, cultural, and public interest programming that informed and inspired generations.
The broadcaster’s strength lay not only in her editorial excellence and creative direction but in her profound understanding of the power of media to transform society. She championed content that amplified voices often left on the margins—children, youth, and women—using storytelling as a tool for empowerment and civic engagement.
Throughout her time at KBC, she directed and produced numerous programs that tackled critical social issues, celebrated African culture, and encouraged informed public dialogue. Her productions became staples in Kenyan households, shaping public opinion and elevating public discourse.
During her tenure at KBC in the 1990s, Ms. Karani played a key role in sports broadcasting, including hosting live football matches, showcasing her versatility and passion for engaging audiences across diverse media genres.
She is the immediate former Head of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit (PBU), where she led editorial content for radio, television, YouTube, and social media platforms of Kenya’s Bi-cameral Parliament, retiring from the role in July 2022 after a notable tenure.
From Studio to Lecture Halls: A Mentor to Many
After a successful broadcasting career, Ms. Karani transitioned into academia and capacity-building. Her passion for nurturing young talent saw her take up roles as a media trainer, lecturer, and coach. At Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), she has played a vital role in equipping students with the skills and ethical grounding necessary to thrive in today’s fast-evolving media environment.
Ms. Karani’s classroom is not confined to brick walls. Over the years, she has organized and facilitated numerous workshops, seminars, and mentorship forums for media professionals, educators, and community leaders across Kenya and beyond. Through her training, she has empowered dozens of young journalists, especially women who now serve in various media houses and communication departments.
One of her mentees remarked at the AJEA event, “Mama Josephine taught us more than just how to write a story; she taught us how to be responsible citizens and courageous truth-tellers.”
A Voice for Women in Media
Ms. Karani’s contribution to women’s empowerment within the media space is both outstanding and transformative. She has long championed gender-sensitive journalism and worked to dismantle barriers facing women in the industry.
As Chairperson of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – Kenya Chapter (IAWRT-KE), she has led strategic advocacy efforts to promote women’s leadership in media. Under her leadership, the association has organized campaigns against gender-based violence in newsrooms, developed safety protocols for female journalists, and collaborated with media regulators to promote inclusive storytelling.
Ms. Karani also serves as the Treasurer of IAWRT International, a member of the Association of Professional Broadcasters (APB), and sits on the Organizing Committee of the African Media Convention (AMC).
IAWRT Kenya has successfully mentored over 200 female journalists from seven public universities. This impactful mentorship program was carried out with the support of the U.S. Embassy Nairobi.
The veteran journalist is a steering committee member of the African Media Convention. This year, the convention is headed to Morocco at the end of May, and she hopes that Kenya will host the convention next year. The inaugural convention was held in Tanzania, followed by Zambia, Ghana, and now Morocco.
She serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Life Lifters Organization, a community-focused initiative dedicated primarily to supporting girls, and occasionally women, through mentorship, capacity building, and psychosocial support.
A Scholar and Global Media Ambassador
Ms. Karani’s academic background is as impressive as her professional track record. She holds:
- A Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi
- A Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology from the same institution
- A Diploma in Television Production/Presentation from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC)
- A Certificate in Educational Programme Production from the Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC) in Hilversum, Netherlands
- She holds numerous certificates and testimonials in communication and related media fields. She is also an alumna of the Spring Pod Coaching Program and the Coaching and Leadership Course by The Media Project at the Poynter Institute, South Florida University, USA.
These academic and international experiences have greatly enriched her approach to journalism and leadership.
What the Award Means to Her
Speaking during the award ceremony, an emotional Josephine Karani said:
This award is not just for me, it is for every woman who has ever been told her voice does not matter. It is for every young journalist I’ve trained, mentored, and believed in. And it is for the communities whose stories have been neglected but whose truth continues to move mountains. I’m deeply honoured.
Ms. Karani went on to thank her former colleagues at KBC, fellow trainers, her students, and family members for supporting her through her career journey. Her humility, grace, and clarity of purpose struck a deep chord with attendees.
She concluded her remarks with a message to young journalists:
“This profession is a calling. It demands courage, ethics, and relentless pursuit of truth. Never forget that journalism is not just about headlines—it’s about healing, justice, and nation-building.”
A Nation Celebrates One of Its Finest
Josephine Karani’s Lifetime Achievement Award could not have come at a better time. As Kenya’s media landscape continues to evolve—with digital disruption, political pressure, and economic challenges—her story is a timely reminder of what ethical, inclusive, and courageous journalism can look like.
In honoring Ms. Karani, the Media Council of Kenya not only recognized a life well lived in service to truth, education, and justice—but also set a gold standard for current and future generations of media professionals.
Her life’s work exemplifies the values that journalism should stand for: integrity, empathy, knowledge, and transformation.
At Scholar Media Group Africa (SMEGAfrica), we are incredibly proud to call Josephine Karani a colleague, mentor, and national treasure. Her story inspires our mission to elevate voices across Africa, empower communities through storytelling, and uphold journalistic excellence.
As the applause echoed through the AJEA 2025 gala, it was clear: Josephine Karani is not just a veteran of the media, she is its conscience.
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