Chief executive officer of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), David Omwoyo, has been elected as the new chairperson of the East African Press Council (EAPC).

Omwoyo was also elected as the World Association of Press Councils chair.

 Speaking to the Star at the sidelines of the meeting, Omwoyo has said that they are working towards cross-border recognition of accreditation to allow media practitioners towork in any member country.

‘’As a first priority, we are working towards cross-border recognition of accreditation to allow media professionals to work in any member country without the need for new accreditation, ‘’ Omwoyo said

‘’Secondly, we will work with EAC to develop common media standards across the region’’

He is the second chairperson, succeeding Kajubi Mukajanga, the founding chair and former Executive Director of the Media Council of Tanzania (MCT).

EAPC is a regional body established in 2023, dedicated to media regulations and content moderation. The body unites media councils from the East African Community (EAC)

The announcement was made on July 15, 2025, during a strategic meeting of media regulators from the East African Community (EAC) held on the sidelines of the second Pan-African Media Councils Summit in Arusha.

He has been elected alongside Ernest Sungura, Executive Secretary of MCT and Chairperson of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA), who was elected as the Vice Chairperson, and Peter Okello from the Media Council of Uganda was elected as secretary.

The trio will serve two-year terms, guiding the EAPC towards the ambitious goals of its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.

The plan focuses on five key areas: fostering robust and independent journalism, embracing innovation to adapt to the evolving media landscape, ensuring the economic sustainability of media organisations, promoting high-quality, diverse, and collaborative journalism, and strengthening the EAPC’s long-term capacity and impact.

The new leadership is expected to, among other things, advocate for harmonized accreditation for EAC member states through the development of a regional media protocol and to undertake a state-of-the-media survey for the region.