Posted in Pen Cop

Star’s poor reporting smears Wanga over Homa Bay funds

Wanga put to task over bursaries, Sh50m loans (Star, May 8, p.8). Intro: Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has been put on the spot over…

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Media should not make public office matter of life and death

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi now faces the battle of his life after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula approved an ouster motion against him over the…

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Between eviction and resettlement, which is more emotive?

Households in flood-prone areas face eviction, says Ruto (Nation headline, April 26, p.1). President Ruto yesterday said the government would evict families living in flood-prone…

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Adopted or not? Papers sow confusion about June Moi

Unlike the other Moi family members who are either boisterous, withdrawn or simply rowdy, June was the quiet persona (Nation, April 12, p.3). Boisterous means…

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How to spot hot air in hyped political news that lacks facts

Ruto’s big silence as healthcare system collapses (Standard lead story, April 2, p.1). Intro: Questions are being asked as President William Ruto has maintained a…

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You know how to write a feature? It’s a story, not a speech

Taita Taveta youth venture into leather value addition (Star, March 28, p.14). Dry feature headline using dead words that spark zero emotion (“venture”, “value addition”)….

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What’s CGTRH? Don’t use strange acronyms in headlines

Clinics at CGTRH closed as doctors’ strike enters day 6 (Star, March 20, p.22). Allocate more funds to KUTTRH, MPs say (People Daily, March 20,…

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You struggle with KeEnglish? Go back to composition writing

It all started about a month ago when Evans Kosgei, now deceased, went to his X account to accuse his wife of infidelity and betrayal…

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Cut out officialese and write as a journalist – in plain English

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged African diplomats to support Kenya’s candidature for the African Union commission chair (People Daily, March 5, p.5). Kenya’s…

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Hello scribes, think tank is a team of experts not an individual

Headline: TSC wants college entry grades for tutors raised (People Daily, February 26, p.2). Intro: The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is seeking to review the…

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