By Njeri Murigi | healthjournalist3@gmail.com
Steve Werblow, President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), has concluded his five-day visit to Kenya, expressing confidence in the country’s preparedness to host the network’s 2025 Congress.
The visit, aimed at enhancing efforts by the host organisation, the Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA) saw Werblow join the association’s team to engage with key players across the agriculture and media sectors.
According to Werblow, Kenya has prepared well to host the congress as demonstrated by the high level of collaboration among stakeholders, the strong support from government institutions, the energy and professionalism of MESHA’s organising team, and the enthusiasm of the country’s agricultural journalists.
During his stay, Werblow met with the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and various bodies working in agriculture that have a history of collaborating with MESHA to shape an impactful and inclusive congress. He praised the level of organisation, enthusiasm and professional commitment demonstrated by the local team.
“Thank you all for the time, energy, and commitment you are putting into creating an unforgettable congress in October 2025. Walking into each of our many meetings this week, I could tell immediately how much respect the partners have for MESHA, their commitment to support the Congress and the work you do,” Werblow said.
He noted that despite significant funding challenges affecting both media and agricultural research, MESHA continues to demonstrate resilience and commitment.
“I know there are massive changes in funding that have affected not only agricultural research but also media here. This means that you are working under difficult conditions, and all of us in the Presidium, the highest governing body of IFAJ, appreciate the energy and time you are putting into welcoming us into your country,” he said.
He added that the frank conversations he encountered during the visit left him optimistic about the success of the upcoming Congress. Werblow’s travel to Kenya was made possible through the IFAJ Global Network Partnership grant from Syngenta.
“I can’t wait for our other colleagues from around the world to experience the energy, pride, and innovative spirit that Kenya has waiting for them. This is going to be an unforgettable congress.”
According to Aghan Daniel, Secretary MESHA, Steve Werblow’s visit marked a turning point in the organisation’s journey toward hosting a memorable congress. He acknowledged that while MESHA initially faced financial hurdles, the visit helped unlock new partnerships and renewed confidence from stakeholders. The visibility brought by the IFAJ President’s presence has already begun to yield tangible support.
Aghan noted that the meetings with government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector facilitated during Werblow’s tour demonstrated the strong local interest in the Congress. He emphasized that these engagements helped build momentum and reassured potential partners that the Congress is not just a media event, but an international opportunity to showcase Kenya’s agricultural potential.
“We were struggling to raise the necessary funds at first, but Steve’s visit gave us credibility and encouraged partners to come on board. His confidence in MESHA and Kenya’s ability to deliver a world-class congress has truly energized our preparations and opened doors we hadn’t accessed before,” said Aghan.
The Congress registration will open on April 20 and so far, Croplife International (CLI), the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Organisation (KALRO) have confirmed their partnership for the congress and are all processing their commitments for formal engagements.
The IFAJ Congress is the world’s premier gathering of agricultural journalists and communicators, bringing together more than 200 delegates from across the globe. It offers an opportunity to share best practices in journalism, explore agricultural innovations, and experience the host country’s farming systems, food security strategies, and rural development models firsthand.
This will be the first time Kenya and East Africa host the Congress, marking a historic milestone for African agricultural journalism. The event is scheduled to take place from October 14 to 18, 2025, under the theme Unlocking the agricultural potential in the cradle of mankind, participants will tour farms, agri-tech hubs and research centres in and around Nairobi.
The IFAJ Congress 2025 is expected to shine a global spotlight on Kenya’s dynamic agricultural sector, the power of science journalism, and the collaborative efforts shaping sustainable food systems in the region.
