Multi-award-winning Kenyan journalist Mercy Juma has left the BBC News after a stint of over six years at the media company.
BBC World Service Africa Regional Editor Richard Kagoe announced Mercy Juma’s exit on Wednesday, October 16, praising her as an incredible colleague and an exceptional journalist.
“On Tuesday, we bid farewell to an incredible colleague and exceptional journalist Mercy Juma Okande. Over the years, she’s earned numerous awards for her compelling storytelling,” he said.
“We call her “the humanitarian” for her unique ability to uncover and highlight the struggles of those affected by natural disasters, health crises, conflicts, and gender-based violence.”
He went on to mention that from North Darfur to the DRC, Northern Kenya, and the Horn of Africa, Mercy has amplified the voices of the unheard through her work.
“It takes immense courage to step into conflict zones to tell stories that shed light on the world’s most vulnerable populations,” Kagoe added.
“Now, as she embarks on a new journey, she joins a growing list of journalists proving to be exceptional professionals outside of the news industry.”
EX-NTV Journalist Life at BBC
Mercy Juma has been serving as the BBC News East Africa Correspondent, a role she began in January 2018, for six years and ten months.
At BBC, she covered international news with a focus on current affairs, post-conflict societies, climate change, human and women’s rights, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Before that, she worked as a Broadcast Journalist between March 2017 and January 2018.
She was tasked with digital video storytelling, news and features production for BBC Radio and re-version of BBC material in Swahili and English with a mobile audience in mind.
Before joining the BBC, Mercy Juma worked as a Senior Health and Science Reporter at Nation Media Group (NMG) from April 2012 to March 2017, serving for five years.
She also worked as a reporter and editor for Info Magazine at Moi University, Eldoret, from January 2010 to March 2012.
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Awards and Recognition Mercy Juma Has Achieved
TV Reporter of the Year – Gender Reporting Category, Annual Journalism Excellence Awards, Media Council of Kenya (May 2016)
UN Journalism Fellow – United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists (2015) Recipient
Photography Fellow – National Geographic (Kenya, 2014)
Data Journalism Fellow – Internews (2013)
Consumer Media Award Winner – Health, Food, and Drugs Category, UNFPA/KEMEP (2014)
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Population and Development Awards – Best Print Writer and Overall Best Journalist, UNFPA/Kenya Media Network (2014)
Nation Media Group – Best Performing Employee in Broadcast Division (2014, 2015)
Media Council of Kenya (MCK)– Runner-up in Health Category (2015)
World Economic Forum – Recognized for Data Stories with Impact (Davos, 2015)
Educational Background of The Journalist
Mercy Juma holds a master’s degree in international relations and Affairs from the United States International University – Africa, which she completed in 2020.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Information Sciences with First Class Honours from Moi University in 2012, marking her as a top achiever in her field.
In addition, she obtained a certificate in International Computer Driving License (ICDL) and User Support Professional (A+) from the Institute of Advanced Technology (IAT) in 2008, where she graduated with distinction.
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