Enock Nyariki ( @NyarikiEnock)

editor

• connects local news writers to readers.

• We are a local news website in Kenya, currently active in 10 counties.

• Since the passing of the new constitution, in 2010, power was transferred from the all-powerful national government to the counties.

• The 47 county governments, led by elected governors, are in charge of developments at the grassroots.

• But all media houses in Kenya focus on national stories. Local news rarely make it to any other news site in Kenya.

• was piloted in 2012 by the seed fund 88mph, and officially launched in January 2014.

 

 

Why is unique

• Content is generated from the users. No other news site in Kenya does this.

• A payment of about $1 (Sh100) is made via mobile money transfer system M-Pesa weekly for every published story.

• The editorial team only moderates to remove basic errors and deal with legal concerns.

• The platform gives readers a chance to set the agenda.

• The news site works well to any internet-enabled phone, and not just smartphones. This takes care of most users in rural areas.

• The mainstream media companies in Kenya have now started picking some of our local news content, and republishing.

• One of the greatest challenges we face is getting the other outlets to acknowledge that they picked their stories from our site.

• We hope to offer a platform where users can be engaged in a conversation about governance at the local level, which is given a blackout by the national dailies.

Thank you!

@NyarikiEnock