Churchill Otieno is a seasoned media executive, digital innovator, and thought leader in newsroom transformation and journalism leadership across Africa. He is the former President of the Kenya Editors’ Guild and previously served as Head of News and Managing Editor for Digital at the Nation Media Group, one of Africa’s largest and most influential media houses.
With a career spanning over two decades in journalism and media leadership, Mr. Otieno has built a reputation for driving editorial excellence, pioneering digital transformation in legacy newsrooms, and advocating for press freedom and ethical journalism. His work has helped reshape how African media outlets navigate the evolving information landscape while remaining grounded in public interest reporting.
He currently contributes his expertise as a Board Member of Industry Advisors to the Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme at the University of Central Lancashire, UK, where he supports the development of forward-thinking journalism professionals.
Mr. Otieno is also a visiting lecturer at the Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications and Moi University, where he mentors and inspires the next generation of journalists and media leaders.
His core areas of focus include:
Newsroom leadership and innovation, Digital strategy and transformation, Media regulation and ethics, Capacity building for journalists in emerging democracies
Churchill Otieno’s contributions to the media sector extend beyond the newsroom—he is a tireless advocate for sustainable journalism, media rights, and digital innovation as tools for strengthening democracy and informed citizen engagement in Africa.