A succession war has hit Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN), an association of media practitioners from the region. Cracks in the union have emerged following a fatal accident that killed KJN’s Chairperson, Dickens Wasonga (pictured) on 26 January 2024.
BRK has exclusively established that members of the association are faulting KJN’s Vice-Chairperson, Doreen Magak, who is also serving as the Chair but in acting capacity for planning to declare herself the Chairperson without following the due process.
It’s alleged that she has convened a special meeting to declare herself KJN’s top executive.
A journalist from the region who has confided in BRK, says Ms. Magak is not only running the outfit as a ‘personal property’ but also not ready to listen to her colleagues and officials, this, causing a turmoil in the once peaceful association.
While a handful of her close associates back her plans, a larger section of Kisumu journalists are opposing her and are threatening to stop her forceful takeover through a court order, which might also lead to freezing of accounts belonging to the association.
“Some of these good thinking members of this network who mean well for KJN will not allow you to run an individual show the way you want to and maybe, just maybe, will seek legal redress to stop the special AGM and the signatories you are so eager to change to access our funds,” reads part of a screenshot seen by BRK from a member of KJN WhatsApp Group.
“Why is there a sudden hurry to fill positions in KJN Executive? What is it that will burn if the AGM is to be at the end of April? Which is this money that we want to withdraw and for what purpose that we must just add a signatory today?” reads another comment.
KJN which is made up of journalists from Kisumu was founded over a decade ago and supports the welfare of the scribes in the lakeside city. In its last elections held last November, the late Dickens Wasonga was voted Chairperson.
The seat however remained vacant following his tragic death on 26 January after a road accident along the Kisumu – Kakamega Highway, around Mamboleo junction.
Relevant: Radio Africa journalist dies in a car crash in Kisumu.
