The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA)  is working with journalists to develop strategies and best communication practices for reporting and countering disinformation and fake news.

KCA has identified 70 journalists from Coast , Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega counties who are undergoing training to generate stories to counter disinformation and fake news.

The project supported by Deutsch Wella Akademie kicked off in September 2022 and is expected to end in March 2023.

Speaking after a two- day training for Coast based journalists held in Mombasa, KCA Chairman William Janak said spread of disinformation and fake news was rampant during the last general elections.

"We had our own monitors during the last campaigns and it was evident that there was a wide spread of disinformation and fake news during that time. We want our journalists to have the necessary skills on how to detect disinformation and fake news" said Janak.

Adding "We are building a community of journalists that is sensitive to the needs of the society."

Janak said most journalists have found themselves reporting fake news due to lack of necessary skills and tools to detect fake news and disinformation.

The journalists undergoing the trainings are expected to produce stories on topical issues ranging from economics, politics, environment, social, among other areas which they will share through their media houses, social media handles and their own blogs.

Janak also called on both national and county government officials to co-operate with journalists through sharing critical information.

"If you don't share information to journalists then you are making their work harder, so I would like to appeal to our newly elected governors and government officials to work closely with journalists" said Janak.

Janak further called for proper  remuneration for journalists from media owners.