Project description:

The project was an analysis and investigation of how Kenyan doctors are being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many are dying and some are working while positive. They have also not been cushioned from the virus despite there existing scandals around PPEs where billions of money were embezzled.

The doctors threatened to proceed on strike which they eventually did on Monday, December 21, 2020. 

Impact reached:

The project highlighted the plight of  Kenyan doctors in Kenya to the whole world.

It also informed donors of how funds were being embezzled by cartels in the Health Ministry. 

Doctors also grabbed the external global pressure to champion for their rights.  

Techniques/technologies used:

I used phone calls and recorders to gather information. Edited my audios through Adobe pro and also transcribed the audios to get quotes. 

I also put to work my investigation skills as I had to reach out to some doctors and nurses and families of those who were affected. I also hid the names of victims and some sources to protect them from being compromised. 

I used data to ensure the story was factual and included graphics to ensure that the data was easy to relate with and to understand. 

What was the hardest part of this project?

The hardest part of the project was convincing affected doctors to speak out against the ills. Reaching to government officials was also a hard task as the project needed an authoritative voice. 

They kept turning me down for a number of days. 

What can others learn from this project?

My fellow journalists can learn how to investigate, for digital reporting, how to report objectively and how to protect sources. Digital media is the future face of journalism and communication.

However, it has been shrowded by fake news and unverified information too. 

They can also work towards human interest stories and exposing the ills, injustices and wrongs within the society. 

It is our role to be the watchdogs and surveillance officers. 

Journalism is a tool that should be used to inform and educate the mass too, without taking sides. That is why I included the remarks from the government to allow it to defend itself. 

Project links:

covid19africawatch.org/kenya-frontline-health-workers-coronavirus/