Investigative Journalism Training Kicks Off in Nairobi Under SAFIRI Project

By Sharon Atieno 

Nairobi, Kenya – September 11, 2025 – A two-and-a-half-day training on investigative journalism officially opened today in Nairobi, marking the second session under the ongoing SAFIRI project.

The initiative, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of journalists to deliver in-depth, ethical, and impactful stories, has brought together participants from diverse media houses across the country. Journalists from Isiolo, Samburu, Kisumu, Siaya, Nairobi, Kakamega, and Kericho are attending the Nairobi training, reflecting the project’s wide national reach.

The SAFIRI project, launched earlier this year, is designed to promote accountability, transparency, and public interest reporting through enhanced investigative journalism. The Nairobi session follows a successful first training held in July 2025 in Kisumu, while a third and final session is scheduled for October 2025 in Mombasa.

Speaking during the opening, facilitators emphasized the critical role of investigative journalism in safeguarding democracy and ensuring that underreported stories, particularly those affecting marginalized communities, find their way into the public discourse. Participants will be taken through practical sessions on story conceptualization, data gathering, verification, ethical reporting, and digital security.

Joyce Kimani, one of our trainers gives an experiential and inspirational talk at the opening session this morning.

“This training is not just about sharpening reporting skills,” one of the trainers noted. “It is about equipping journalists with the tools to pursue truth responsibly, despite the challenges they may face in the field.”

The program also offers an opportunity for peer learning, as journalists from different regions share experiences on the unique challenges and opportunities within their local contexts. In doing so, the training creates a network of media practitioners committed to high-quality, solutions-oriented reporting.

For participants, the Nairobi training represents more than a skills-building exercise. It is a platform to reflect on their responsibility in driving public debate and holding institutions accountable. Many expressed optimism that the knowledge gained will empower them to take on complex stories that have significant social and policy implications.

By the close of the SAFIRI project in October, dozens of journalists from across Kenya will have been trained, creating a ripple effect expected to strengthen the overall media landscape. The Nairobi session is therefore a key milestone in advancing professional journalism standards and reinforcing the watchdog role of the press.