A Swahili proverb says: ukiona vyaelea, vimeunda (anything impressive has been worked on).
The Western Kenya Times, as a matter of fact, has become a force to be reckoned with as the most dependable digital news outlet in the region thanks to the power pumped in by its youthful staff full of beans.
All the work of generating news ideas, gathering the news, taking photos, following news leads and sources, photography, creating content, social media campaigns, editing text, images, and videos, and so much more, is done by a team of seven youths who work remotely to achieve the best for the reader.
As the year 2022 comes to a close, the editorial desk would like to present what makes up this powerful battalion and just what it takes to be one.
- Naomi Makasi, aka Nao Mih
The only lady surviving in the WKT newsroom, Nao Mih pens pieces of writing for the weekly Relationships and Marriage column, in which she advises young people on effective ways of creating and sustaining healthy relationships.
Nao Mih, a degree holder from Rongo University who hails from Kitale in Trans Nzoia County, joined the WKT in 2021. Since then, she has become a very important component of the feature section of the publication, which drifts away from the clamor and chaos of a normal news day, a factor that has created readers’ love for her work.
Nao Mih plays other roles, such as driving discussion on topics presented by the WKT on social media pages.
She is a big fan of Arsenal in the English Premier League, fun-loving, and enjoys topics in religion, politics, and sports.
She says 2022 has been a bit messy for her, but a blessing too.
- Tom Lutali
Tom Lutali, a passionate radio presenter, writes exciting news pieces and titbits about funny but serious incidents in the villages of western Kenya.
Tom, who comes from Lugari Constituency in Kakamega County, also provides news updates on the Western Kenya Times Facebook page as one of the administrators and helps in generating social media content and information for graphics.
Tom, who holds a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Elgon View College in Eldoret, has the most read and reacted to content in 2022.
He joined the WKT in 2020, loves calling himself the Lastborn, supports Chelsea in the English Premier League, is a devoted Seventh-day Adventist, and loves making fun.
He says the year 2022 has been of great purpose to him.
- Collins Oluyali
Collins Oluyali, who hails from Lugari Constituency in Kakamega County, writes for Magazetini, a news feature column that reviews Kenyan dailies every weekday.
A police officer by profession, Collins’ contribution to the publication is attracting senior citizens who love reading current affairs and analyses on politics and key issues.
Collo, who joined the WKT in 2020, supports Manchester City in the English Premier League.
- Mike Musungu
Mike Musungu is a reporter for the Western Kenya Times from Trans Nzoia. His reports mostly touch on family disputes, community affairs, and political play in Trans Nzoia.
Mike, who joined the WKT in 2021, is a talented radio reporter, and his work is largely published by Radio Simba.
- Godfrey Wamalwa
Godfrey Wamalwa is a print journalism diploma holder from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) who enjoys writing about education, politics, sports, and human interest stories.
Gody joined WKT in 2022 as a journalist covering Bungoma County, and his role has been seen in providing the reader with comprehensive information about the just concluded Bungoma Senatorial By-Election.
He says the year 2022 has been full of hope and challenges, but most importantly, it has been fulfilling professionally since joining the WKT.
He has been a big supporter of Arsenal in the English Premier League since 2022.
- Mark Wamwoyo
Mark Wamwoyo, who graduated from Rongo University with a degree in administration and political science, plays an advisory role on legal affairs touching on publication.
Mark, who joined the WKT in 2020, offers advice on any ethical and legal issues on sensitive stories or stories likely to raise dispute, conflict, or legal action.
He is a big supporter of Manchester City in the English Premier League and loves making jokes and discussing politics.
- Sam Oduor
Sam Oduor, a graduate of communication and media studies from Moi University, is the editor-in-chief of the Western Kenya Times. He’s mandated with the noble task of generating and approving news ideas, assigning roles, and coordinating the content writing team and the work of guest writers.
Sam is also tasked with managing all the social media platforms, suggesting ideas, producing content for graphics, covering sensitive stories, and taking care of the welfare of journalists.
Apart from that, Sam writes political, current affairs, sports, and agricultural journalism for the Western Kenya Times.
A religious fan of Liverpool in the English Premier League, Sam is outgoing, open-minded, and diverse in his opinions.
Discover the pulse of Western Kenya with WKT – your go-to digital media platform for real-time updates, rich perspectives, and powerful stories that matter.
Congratulations big team ? 2023 we expect more la muhimu ni kutia fora
To our readers, thank you for making 2022 a success . Hopefully, we see each other next year, same time same place?
Much love!!!! ❤️
I take this humble time to say thank you for what you have been doing.surely may you extend the information to other countries mostly on education and passing of the information and making the community to know their roles and values.yangu nikusema tieni bidii and be very creative in 2023 baado ni pamoja na nyinyi any support just communicate.