Sjak secretary general Moses Wakhisi presents his report during the association's Annual General Meeting on Friday in Nairobi/HANDOUTThe Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has adopted a new constitution aimed at strengthening governance, accountability and member protection.
The constitution, prepared by a seven-member review committee led by treasurer Mukami Wambora, was ratified at the association’s AGM in Nairobi on Friday.
It replaces the previous constitution, which had been in force since 2014.
SJAK secretary general Moses Wakhisi said the review had been a priority following resolutions made at the previous AGM.
“A modern association requires a modern governance framework. Our constitution must clearly define responsibilities, protect members' rights, strengthen accountability, provide credible electoral processes and safeguard institutional continuity. It should outlive all of us.”
Key changes include clearer separation of roles between the National Executive Committee and secretariat, term limits for office bearers, a dispute resolution mechanism, and tighter rules on elections and financial management.
Wambora said the committee consulted members in Nairobi and the counties to ensure the new constitution reflected the needs of journalists across the country.
“It took months of painstaking research to write the new constitution, going through the document line by line. We want something that members will be proud of for years to come, something that will stand the test of time,” she said.
Delegates unanimously ratified and adopted the document, saying stronger governance would help shield SJAK from internal disputes and enhance its credibility when dealing with government, sports federations and sponsors.
Chairman James Waindi said SJAK’s membership had also continued to grow, with 24 new members joining since the previous AGM.
The AGM further received reports on membership, finances and welfare, with the leadership pledging to prioritise training, insurance cover and better working conditions for sports journalists across the country.
