Empowering Communities Through Media: A Transformative Collaboration at Machakos University

Machakos University has taken a significant leap forward in merging education, storytelling, and grassroots impact through a pioneering media initiative aimed at empowering communities. At the heart of this movement is a transformative partnership with Dr. Peter Day, founder of Community Media for Kenya (CM4K) and senior lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK.

Dr. Day visited Machakos University from April 8^th to 11^th, 2025, for a four-day intensive workshop, where he shared his vast expertise in community-based media and transformative learning. His visit marked a pivotal step in strengthening academic-community linkages and using media as a tool for empowerment and development.

A Vision Rooted in Collaboration

This initiative is part of a broader vision to use digital storytelling as a catalyst for positive social change. During his courtesy visit, Dr. Day met with the University’s leadership, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joyce Agalo, and Dr. Vifu Makoti, Patron of the Machakos University Travelling Theatre Club and lecturer in the Department of Linguistics, School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Discussions focused on launching a pilot journalism course with a strong emphasis on community-based media.

At the core of Dr. Day’s work is Community Media for Kenya (CM4K)—a transformative learning partnership aimed at empowering marginalized communities in Kenya. CM4K promotes participatory training, community media partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. Dr. Day champions a “learning by doing” approach, encouraging students to co-create media with local communities, amplifying authentic voices and lived experiences.

A Hands-On Workshop with Real-World Impact

The four-day workshop held at Machakos University was an immersive, practical experience designed to equip students with both technical and soft skills necessary for impactful media production. The training covered:

• Recording and interviewing
• Scriptwriting and storytelling
• Fieldwork and research
• Editing and production
• Community engagement and empathy

Beyond technical proficiency, students developed vital skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and intercultural communication.

A Growing Network of Ethical Storytellers

Supported by organizations like the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, the initiative is rapidly expanding to other universities and community media projects across Kenya. Through student exchanges, collaborative storytelling, and intercultural learning, a powerful network is emerging—one that champions ethical journalism and social transformation.

Students participating in the program are engaging with pressing societal issues, including:

• Youth unemployment
• Women’s empowerment
• Health awareness
• Education access
• Environmental sustainability

Their content—from radio features to mini-documentaries, gives voice to untold stories and sparks meaningful, community-led dialogue.

Seeding a Movement for Media-Driven Change

Dr. Day’s visit culminated in a generous donation of equipment to support the establishment of a community radio station at Machakos University. The station is set to become a vital resource for both students and local communities—a platform where stories are not only told but also heard and acted upon.

This collaboration is more than a workshop; it is the beginning of a movement—one that reimagines how students engage with society, how communities share their narratives, and how media can be harnessed not just to inform, but to transform.

Through storytelling, Machakos University students are no longer just observers of change—they are becoming the very architects of it.