Uplifting headlines: How media celebrated moments of national pride in Tokyo
In the past week, the news was full of serious stories. From President Ruto’s visit to the Coast, the problem of “ghost learners,” and the university lecturers’ strike. This was the usual news about politics, problems, and the big challenges facing our country. KTN, NTV, Citizen TV, TV 47, and KBC were on fire, working tirelessly to report on all the big national stories.
On the sports front, just like the just concluded CHAN, the media focused its lenses on the Tokyo, Japan World Championships 2025. Our athletes didn’t just compete; they owned the headlines and brought the whole nation together in jubilation.
On Tuesday, when Faith Kipyegon won the 1500 meters race, securing her fourth World Championship record, the media’s excitement was palpable. The emotion of the moment was perfectly captured by Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara who was so overwhelmed with excitement that she nearly tripped over her words at the start of the bulletin and, honestly, who could blame her?
The media went wild with headlines, capturing the spirit of the moment perfectly.
Citizen TV: “Faith Beats Them All!” TV47: “It is Faith Again!” KBC: “World Athletics Championship in Tokyo” KTN: “Faith, Shine in Tokyo”
The reports went beyond simply announcing the win; they painted a vivid picture of Faith’s dominance, showing how she commanded the race from the very first lap with unstoppable grace. Citizen TV elevated the story further by capturing a touching human moment of world champion Beatrice Chebet’s tears of joy in the stands after Kipyegon’s victory. Together, the stations hailed Faith as a legend, celebrating her as the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time).
On Wednesday, 21-year-old Faith Cherotich won the 3000 meters steeplechase, beating the dominant Winfred Yavi of Bahrain. The media headlines? Pure magic.
TV47: “Cherotich Seals Fourth Gold Medal for Kenya”. KTN: “Golden Cherotich.” KBC: “4th Gold New Record.” Citizen TV: “Golden Faith Cherotich.”
TV47 highlighted Cherotich’s win as a proud milestone and a symbol of Kenya’s rising youth. KTN kept it crisp and factual, focusing on a straightforward celebration. KBC offered detailed stats and context for the analytics fans, while Citizen TV combined star power with national pride, praising Cherotich as a rising athletic icon.
The extensive coverage of Faith Kipyegon and Faith Cherotich offers important lessons for the media in a landscape often dominated by politics and negativity.
First, media outlets should diversify their stories beyond politics, offering balanced news that inspires and unites rather than exhausts audiences.
Second, leading with these uplifting sports stories served as a positive “news filter,” showing how journalism can foster hope and pride without resorting to sensationalism.
The athletes should be portrayed as more than just competitors during big events. The media can deepen connections by regularly featuring human-interest stories, sharing their personal journeys, motivations, and struggles. Authentic interviews and a focus on the challenges athletes face can make their stories more relatable and compelling.
Finally, exploring the business side of athletics such as sponsorships, prize money, and financial pressures adds realism and richness to their narratives.
Sports, many Kenyans tend to agree, unite the nation. The gold medals haul in Tokyo by the Kenyan girls underlines the capacity of sports to provide avenues for women’s success in the country. In athletics, Kenyan women and men find a common ground for success without gender, ethnic, class or age discrimination. It is the stamina, endurance and commitment of the athlete on track or ring or pool. Yet, their success is shared by all Kenyans, equally.
Can politics offer Kenyans such joy? When Harambee Stars appeared to be headed for success at CHAN just a month ago, the whole country was thrilled. Even when they lost to the Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers, leaving them out of direct qualifications, Kenyans seemed unperturbed by the results. It is sports, and the best team wins, on the field. The competition, though aggressive, still produces thrilling moments, which allow the supporters momentary ‘performance’ of their own aggression.
Did you know? The World Athletics Championships began in Helsinki in 1983. Initially held every four years, they’ve been held every two years since 1991. The 2021 event was postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The championships are scheduled in odd years to avoid clashing with the Olympics, which take place every four years in even years.
Congratulations to all our athletes who shined in Tokyo! As the curtain fell on Sunday 21 on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Kenya finished second overall, just behind the United States of America.
To the media, thank you for capturing these moments so beautifully, celebrating our heroes, and reminding us of what it truly means to be a nation united in victory, our challenges notwithstanding.
This column has been compiled by the team that analyses prime time news at the Media Council of Kenya
