By Nelly Moraa
Josephine Karani is a name that would fill pages of a book on television production, in Kenya.
Her fingerprints dot the broadcast media landscape, where she has helped shape it as a seasoned journalist, a mentor, and the current International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) treasurer and serves the organization as Chairperson, Kenya Chapter.
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Karani is indeed walking right past the glass ceilings and opening doors for many more.
It is a journey that began at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) television station 30 years ago.
From scripting children’s laughter in her early works, to shaping the coverage of sports and current affairs, and later to broadcasting national debates while heading the Parliamentary Broadcast Unit (PBU), her work has been nothing but remarkable.
It is these decades of contribution to television production and public service that saw the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) fete her with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This was not just a personal accolade but a testament of the quiet but powerful legacy she has built over the years.
While receiving the award at the 2025 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA), Karani expressed her excitement dedicating it to all women who keep pushing boundaries in the media.
“This award is not just for me, it is for every woman who has been told their voices do not matter. It is for every young journalist I have trained, mentored and believed in. And it is for the communities whose stories have been neglected but whose truth continues to move mountains. I am deeply honored,” Karani said.
Karani’s journey is that of grit, grace and generational impact, exhibiting commitment to mentoring and growing the next generation of media professionals.
Indeed, beyond the studio lights and the control rooms, she is now in the lecture hall at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
Here she is shaping future story tellers, the young women, passing the baton as she helps them find their voice in the crowded and quite challenging industry.
As she serves at IAWRT international body, she continues to champion the causes of women in media, both locally and globally.
Karani is a steering committee member of the African Media Convention.
Her leadership at IAWRT has seen over 200 female journalists from 7 public universities mentored under a US Embassy partnership.
Her rich journey that has taken her from the control room, to the committee rooms of parliament, from children shows to stadia, is one that encourages women to dare to dream, lead boldly, and write their own scripts- on screen and off!
Additional information: Karani is an esteemed member of the Kisii Press Club where she also in the mentorship and advisory committees.This story was first published by IAWRT. https://iawrt.org/josephine-karani-a-lifetime-of-storytelling-service-and-sisterhood/
