Sports Journalists Association of Kenya Membership Shoots Up

The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) welcomed 22 new fully paid-up members at its 2025 Annual General Meeting on Friday, signaling steady growth even as the media industry contends with mounting commercial pressures. SJAK President James Waindi told members that the association’s expanding roster, now approaching 250, was evidence of its resilience amid a media environment marked by layoffs, pay cuts and prolonged salary delays. He warned that the year ahead could be “even tougher” and urged journalists to diversify into digital and social-media production to maintain their footing. Waindi reported that SJAK had broadened its activity portfolio, launching its first medical wellness camp and rolling out skills-development workshops in golf, athletics and chess. The association also deepened partnerships with Betika, the Sports Disputes Tribunal, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and the Media Council of Kenya to equip members with regulatory insight and professional support. The president noted that the association’s office at Nyayo Stadium had been maintained and furnished with new computers, with plans to convert the space into a digital hub to help members adapt to a fast-changing media economy. SJAK also facilitated international reporting assignments through its cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, enabling several journalists like Stafford Ondego, Agnes Makhandia, Gladys Midecha and Sila Kiplagat, to cover major global events. Waindi pointed to the launch of a new CSR initiative and expressed appreciation to longstanding partners, among them LG Electronics EA (LG), Betika, KCB, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa and Excel Chemicals, for sustaining their support during a period of volatility in the sector. Meanwhile, Secretary General Moses Wakhisi said the association remained focused on strengthening the profession and expanding career opportunities for its members, adding that SJAK was “well positioned for continued progress” with the backing of its partners and growing membership. The AGM, attended by over 80 scribes in person and hundreds virtually, featured a light-hearted trivia contest sponsored by LG Electronics in which two participants walked away with microwave ovens from LG’s premium catalogue. These ovens combine style, innovation and convenience, providing reliable, even heating for better cooking results and easy-to-maintain surfaces that simplify cleanup. “Through our continued partnership with SJAK, we awarded our solo and grill large capacity microwaves, both which are part of our cooking category lineup, to the winners of the trivia during the AGM. It’s our small way of saying thank to SJAK for your unwavering support,” said Erick Onyango, LG’s Regional Cooking Product Manager. LG has over the last 10 years collaborated with SJAK in an award that fetes outstanding athletes every month. The LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month has honored Kenya’s top athletes like Faith Kipyegon, Ferdinand Omanyala, Hellen Obiri, Eliud Kipchoge, Karan Patel, and many others who continue to lift the country’s flag high. “But equally, we have recognized athletes whose names may not make daily headlines but whose dedication deserves our applause. People like Samson Opiyo Ojuka and Sarah Achieng,” noted Onyango.