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Media Council seeks strategy to lock out extortionists from news events

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MCK CEO David Omwoyo/Courtesy

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) will meet with several stakeholders on Friday to formulate strategies to counter the rise of fraudsters posing as journalists.

In a statement on Thursday, MCK CEO David Omwoyo said the forum will discuss increased cases of fraudsters who use fake credentials to extort and harass individuals.

“It has come to our attention that there is an escalation of fraudsters masquerading as journalists and media practitioners who get access to events to extort and harass people,” said Omwoyo.

According to MCK, the gathering will provide a chance to discuss the issue of instances of con artists posing as journalists and also propose workable solutions and measures to enhance professionalism.

“The council is committed to fostering a conducive working environment for journalists and media practitioners through improved standards and constantly engaging relevant stakeholders to address pertinent issues,” he added.

Omwoyo reaffirmed the council’s commitment to preserving the reputation and legitimacy of the media, stating that they will make sure that only accredited journalists are permitted to work in the nation.

MCK is an organization tasked with accreditation of journalists and promotion of press freedom.

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Milton Nyakundi

Milton Nyakundi is a veteran multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience across broadcast, digital, and print media, who relocated to the United States in 2022 and is now the Senior International Correspondent for Kurunzi News based in Washington, DC, USA. He has previously worked with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), among other high-profile roles with Kenya's first privately-owned media outlet - Kenya Television Network. His experience also include prominent roles as Media Consultant for Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and StarTimes Kenya. His career spans high‑stakes political reporting covering legislative and constitutional issues, elections, governance, and accountability across Kenya, Africa, and global arenas. He also boasts extensive sports journalism experience, covering local and international sports events, including leagues, tournaments and sports governance. He is well-known for his investigative depth, editorial leadership, and evidence-driven journalism that guides his consistent delivery of public‑interest storytelling across platforms.

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