David Omwoyo, the CEO of Kenya’s Media Council, has been elected Chairperson of the East African Press Councils (EAPC), a regional body tasked with strengthening journalism and media regulation across East Africa.
The announcement was made during a closed-door meeting of regional media regulators held on the sidelines of the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, on Tuesday.
Omwoyo now steps into the shoes of Kajubi Mukajanga, the founding chair from Tanzania, and will serve a two-year term ending in 2027.
“I am pleased that the resolve of media regulators in East Africa in 2019 to have a media that operates within values that we respect is finally achieved,” said Omwoyo after the vote.
The EAPC, formed in 2023, brings together media councils from six East African countries—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was created to harmonise standards in journalism, regulate ethics, and advocate for greater press freedom.
Omwoyo previously served as the EAPC’s Secretary. His elevation signals a continuity of efforts to raise professional standards across the region’s often politically fraught media space.
In its statement, the EAPC said:
“His leadership is expected to bolster the EAPC’s mission to foster a free, accountable, and professional media landscape.”
Omwoyo will not be working alone. The Council also announced that Ernest Sungura, head of Tanzania’s Media Council and current Chair of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), will serve as Vice-Chair. Peter Okello Jabweli from Uganda was named Secretary.
The trio will spearhead the implementation of EAPC’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, which aims to support independent journalism, adapt to rapid digital change, and ensure media houses can remain financially viable.
The Plan also outlines a vision for a unified media accreditation system across East African Community (EAC) member states. A regional media protocol and a large-scale “state of the media” survey are also on the cards.
Omwoyo said the Council’s future direction will focus more on empowering journalists rather than restricting them.
“Our mission is geared towards less of regulation and more of press freedom,” he said.
If successful, this could mark a shift in the region where journalists have often faced pressure from political actors and restrictive laws.
As the new Chair, Omwoyo will have to balance national interests with regional goals while pushing for reforms in a sector that remains vulnerable to censorship, financial instability, and digital disruption.
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