Prominent Kenyan media personality Amina Abdi Rabar has launched Voice Amplified, a comprehensive mentorship program designed to support and guide the next generation of Kenyan journalists and media professionals. The initiative, which received over 1,500 applications for its inaugural cohort of 30 mentees, provides participants with hands-on training, career guidance, and networking opportunities across various media disciplines. The program represents Rabar’s most significant investment in developing Kenyan media talent to date and reflects her commitment to addressing the industry’s diversity gaps and nurturing ethical, skilled journalism.
The program’s structure combines practical skill development with professional exposure and personal growth components. Mentees participate in monthly masterclasses covering topics from investigative reporting techniques to personal branding in the digital age, led by Rabar and other established media professionals from her extensive network. The curriculum also includes specialized tracks for broadcast journalism, digital content creation, and media management, allowing participants to develop expertise in their chosen focus areas. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes media ethics, mental health awareness for journalists, and strategies for navigating the unique challenges facing women and underrepresented groups in Kenyan media.
The long-term impact of this initiative extends beyond individual career development to potentially strengthening Kenya’s entire media landscape. By creating a pipeline of well-trained, ethically-grounded journalists from diverse backgrounds, the program addresses concerns about media quality and representation that have surfaced in recent years. The mentorship model also represents a shift in how senior media professionals can contribute to industry development beyond their regular roles, potentially inspiring similar initiatives from other established figures. As Kenya’s media industry continues to evolve amid digital disruption and economic pressures, programs like Voice Amplified could play a crucial role in ensuring that the next generation of journalists possesses not only the technical skills but also the ethical foundation and diverse perspectives needed to serve Kenya’s democracy effectively.