Joe Ageyo, a Kenyan television journalist and media manager has marked twenty-five years since he kicked off his media career, immediately after graduating from university.
The current Editorial Director at Nation Media Group on Thursday, August 10, revealed that his journalistic journey began alongside that of Chams Media Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alex Chamwada with whom he joined the newsroom the same day.
According to Ageyo, the two strode together and served in a number of media houses including Royal Media Services where he worked as Editorial Director, the Standard Group as Managing Editor (KTN News) and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as a Senior Reporter.
“So on a day like this 25 years ago, Alex Chamwada and I walked into a newsroom for the first time, to begin what would turn out to be two extremely exciting careers.
NMG Editorial Director Joe Ageyo
“Today, Chamwada runs a media organisation he founded a few years ago – well, I run some things here and there too, but I am truly grateful to God for grace and favour,” Ageyo stated.
Trained as an Environmentalist and Journalist, Ageyo has covered major local and international news events, including four General Elections and two national referenda in Kenya.
He has also played critical roles in Kenya’s presidential debates, including co-moderating one of them.
Ageyo is a recipient of several awards, including the Environmental Journalist of the Year in 2001. He is also a fellow at the Center for Governance and Sustainability at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies (MGS), University of Massachusetts, a Catto Fellow at the Aspen Institute, and a member of the Communications Advisory Group of the UN Ocean Decade.
“Special shoutout to the numerous people who’ve held my hand along the way, including Farida Karoney, Emmanuel Juma, Joe Odindo and Latifah Ngunjiri.
“Others include Jemimah Mungai, Lore Loolio, Isaiya Kabira, Hiram Mucheke, John Nyongesa, Bernard Otieno, the late Ken Walibora, Christine Nguku, Mercy Oburu, Kathleen Openda, just to name but very few,” Ageyo acknowledged.
Ageyo is a respected journalist with a wealth of experience. He is credited with playing a key role in setting up KTN News, Kenya’s first  24-hour news channel.
“And of course to you out here who cheer me on, hold my feet to the fire and generally express whatever opinion about what I do or don’t  – I salute you too. You are the reason I keep doing what I do,” Ageyo stated.
The veteran journalist attended Sawagongo High School, after which he pursued Agricultural Economics and Business Management at Egerton University. Post-graduation, he spent a few years as a marketing executive before venturing into the media industry in 2000.
Ageyo has a deep-seated passion for leveraging journalism’s potential to enact meaningful change in the world. His conviction revolves around the media’s responsibility to hold those in power accountable and to educate the public on pertinent matters.
Kenyan journalists attend a press briefing on Affordable Housing, State House, Nairobi on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
PCS
