President William Ruto has hailed Kulan Post founding editor Abdikadir Ukash for his contribution to journalism in Northern Kenya, describing his work as “a stroke of genius” in expanding access to local news and public information.
President Ruto commended the role of local media in amplifying voices from Northern Kenya through independent, community-centred journalism and strategic communication.
Ukash is the founding editor of Kulan Post, one of Northern Kenya’s leading digital news platforms, established to bridge the information gap affecting the region. A former broadcaster with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and a communications and public relations strategist, he has been instrumental in transforming Kulan Post into a multi-award-winning multimedia platform covering governance, devolution, business, security, climate, humanitarian affairs and development across Northern Kenya.
Ukash is also the Chairman of Northern Kenya Media Practitioners (NKMP), a non-partisan umbrella body that brings together journalists and media professionals from Garissa and other parts of Kenya to promote press freedom, ethical journalism, professional development and collaboration within the media industry.
“I am very happy to know that you run a digital media house. It’s quite a stroke of a genius to have people like yourself looking at new spaces for opportunity,” he told Mr. Ukash during a roundtable media interview in Wajir.
He said, “It’s not the traditional newspaper, it’s not the traditional media house, and I think I want to commend you on those in that space.”
“It also speaks to using the media space responsibly,” said the President.
“You’re using the media space to create content, to get information to people, and that is why you have come to sit here and try and get some information from me to pass to your audience,” said President William Ruto.
Kulan Post, and its influential platforms deliver news in Somali, Swahili and English, with a strong focus on governance, devolution, public service delivery, security, business and community affairs. Their reporting has helped increase visibility for issues affecting Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and the wider Northern Kenya region, where national media coverage has traditionally been limited.
Mr. Abdikadir Hassan Ukash has called for a more strengthened public communication and improving access to information through partnerships with credible local media organisations.
“We thank the President for endorsing community-driven journalism and the growing role of regional media in promoting accountability, citizen participation and inclusive development.”
The ‘stroke of a genius’, Mr. Abdikadir Ukash, as described by President William Ruto said there will increasing influence of locally owned media in ensuring that Northern Kenya’s stories receive sustained national attention.
