Media urged to spotlight 'silent emergencies'
National
By
Standard Reporter
| Jul 15, 2025
The media has been challenged to widen their coverage of humanitarian and development issues in Kenya.
Decrying what he described as a persistent under-reportage of issues and consumption of humanitarian content affecting millions of vulnerable Kenyans, the Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary-General Ahmed Idris said there was room for the media, for instance, to shine a deeper spotlight on the impact of disasters and crises long after the events have happened.
Dr Idris was speaking during a meeting with the Standard Group acting Chief Executive Officer Chaacha Mwita, as they explored avenues for closer collaboration in delivering mandate and social responsibility.
“More than 2.5 million Kenyans remain food insecure,” said Idris, adding that conditions have worsened in many areas as climate shocks, economic slowdown and a reduction in donor support converge to create what he termed “a silent emergency.”
READ MORE
E-mobility startup selected for funding
East Africa states eye to expand Northern Corridor connectivity
Kenya gears up for international construction expo
PUBG Mobile deepens roots in Africa with new servers and culturally inspired features
Nyoro says govt using false narratives to hike fuel prices
Gold discovery excites locals, cuts fishing pressure on Lake Victoria
Liquid, DropByDrop partner to manage non-revenue water challenges
Why local firms shy away from innovation
Economy feels the pinch as June inflows drop Sh2.1b
Centum maintains dividend payout following Sh813 million net profit
He noted that diseases once thought relegated to the past — such as kwashiorkor and marasmus — are reappearing in parts of the country, pointing to deepening poverty and inadequate public health responses.
In a sombre reflection, Idris highlighted the plight of residents of Budalang’i in western Kenya, who were displaced by floods in 2019 and have yet to be resettled. “Many families lost livelihoods and are still living in makeshift camps six years later,” he said.
“These are stories that deserve national attention.”
He further attributed the stagnation in some humanitarian and development efforts to reduced funding, but despite this, the Red Cross has been able to cover more people by redirecting resources to those most in need.
Under President Donald Trump, the US has shut its international development agency, USAID, significantly affecting programmes it once supported in Kenya, including HIV/Aids preventive measures.
The Red Cross has long been at the front and centre of disaster and crisis management, from drought relief and flood response to medical evacuation and emergency shelter. In recent years, it has expanded its work into areas such as climate adaptation that includes mangrove conservation, community-based health services, blood donation drives, mental health support and youth empowerment programmes.
The organisation, which will be commemorating 60 years of public service this year, also operates health facilities in underserved areas and ambulance services through E-Plus.
Mwita commended Red Cross for what he called “unseen but transformative” work in communities. “As a media house, we will do more to illuminate the ongoing work in the humanitarian and development sectors,” Mwita said.
“Standard Group is committed to forging a strong partnership with the Red Cross to ensure these stories are told with the depth and context they deserve,” he said.
The meeting marked the beginning of what both parties described as a strategic engagement to amplify public awareness around humanitarian issues, particularly at a time when both natural and man-made disasters are increasingly impacting livelihoods across the country.
Present were senior managers from both organisations.