Meet Aghan Daniel, a Kenyan veteran science journalist in the hearts of many journalists in Africa

By Tebby Otieno

Aghan Daniel is a veteran science journalist, mentor and lecturer to many young journalists.

Despite his very busy schedule as a communication officer at the African Seed Trade Association, Daniel still finds time to give his time as the Secretary of The Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA). A Kenyan-based and registered association of science journalists and communicators, whose membership includes journalists, editors, scientists and communicators from all over Africa. 

MESHA’s vision is to create a society that is dependent on science and technology, where challenges are met with available solutions aided by science.

Daniel describes himself as a strict, stickler to time, perfectionist and an excellent communicator. This is how you know, if you are one of his students or have an appointment with him, you must be earlier than the agreed time. A skill I believe has helped him in his career growth.

Now that you know my source is an excellent communicator, allow me to engage him in writing.

How was your childhood life?

I was born in 1971 in Pumwani Hospital in Nairobi. Brought up in the Eastlands area of Nairobi, Biafra Estate, and started early learning in Nairobi then went to Kendu Bay for my primary school and high schools in the former South Nyanza District.

 Your education journey?

I hold a postgraduate diploma in mass communication from the University of Nairobi. I have completed course work for the award of Master’s Degree in Communication from the same university and I am yet to complete the project to be awarded the full MA in Mass Communication. My first degree is in Environmental Studies from Kenyatta University (1997). 

Explain how you started your career path

I began my career as an intern at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation – under the Environment Program in 1997 as partial fulfilment for my Environment Degree. I then started writing as a freelance for The Star, Standard and Daily Nation.

What has worked for you to achieve your many accomplishments?

Discipline and passion

You are one of the founders of The Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA). Please share how this idea was developed.

At that time in 2005, I had just returned from a yearlong exchange program called Fredskorpset for environmental journalists funded by the Norwegian government in Tanzania. I was attached to the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET). I had just taken a short break from my full time job as a communication officer at the defunct Biotechnology Trust Africa. I had seen that even with just a little effort, science journalism could contribute a lot to society. In Kenya, we did not have a one stop association bringing science journalists together. We wanted to slay professional loneliness and we wanted a focal point for science journalists in the country and region. MESHA, to us, was the answer. We also wanted to strike relationships in the media as well as grow a body of science journalists able to correctly interpret technical scientific reports and information for the consumption of an average reader.

What are some of the places MESHA has taken you? 

Contrary to expectations, I have not taken advantage of traveling so much on behalf of MESHA. Apart from attending two World Conference of Science Journalists in Melbourne, Australia in 2007 and the one held in Doha in 2012, I attended a training in Accra, Ghana in 2015 courtesy of the association. One of the places MESHA has taken me to is in the heart of many upcoming science journalists.

With your wealth of knowledge and experience, how have you individually helped young journalists in your own capacity?

I have mentored many journalists who are now doing much better than myself in the field of science journalism. I continue to do so not just in Kenya but in Africa as a whole. That I am able to produce a journalist on my own as an individual under the auspices of MESHA makes me feel like a colossal. I always remind my mentees of two things – to remain humble even when they dine and take pictures with world leaders and two – that mentorship is a life-long matter.

What are some of the awards you have received?

NONE. I have never won any award or recognition even mentions. Not even a profile of mine has ever been published in any newspaper or radio station. I like it that way. Let me remain invisible. 

Could you please share some of the lessons you have learnt in the media industry?

Patience pays. Networks pay dividends. 

What advice do you have for young journalists, scientists and communicators who want to climb the ladder?

Ensure you become a specialised writer. Cut a niche for yourself and keep on doing science stories passionately knowing very well that the ride can never be smooth. Do your best and ensure you tell stories that change lives. Stories that tell of beautiful solutions to the many problems that we have in Africa but which are all being confronted. I believe that patience truly pays. And it pays handsomely.

What is special about MESHA that you think makes it different from other media associations in Africa?

MESHA is unique because of the quality of its members – science journalists who are focused on their work and on building their capacity to tell the African science story. The members are supported by a very supportive board making the work of running the association enjoyable.

We are a hands on science journalists centred organisation. We give real time support to journalists and actively have them participate in science literacy. Our strength lies not in numbers but in the quality of stories done by journalists.

We are the only association that has a regularly published magazine in the world, Sayansi. The word Sayansi is a Kiswahili word which means Science in English.

We are the only association that organises the bi-annual African Conference of Science Journalists now in its fourth edition. It takes courage and a lot of resources to organise such a meeting every two years. We ensure we bring African journalists and scientists together every two years. No other association does that. Besides, we bring journalists from East Africa together every two years. No other association does that. We are the only association that involves its members and non-members in its core capacity building initiatives in a bid to carry along all journalists interested in science. We are a cut above the rest with very minimal resources. We have a very effective website – very active on social media and caters for all journalists interested in science journalism.

We run an active mentorship program and run the monthly science cafes. We are uniquely successful.

MESHA is celebrating its 15^th anniversary. With your current title, where do you see MESHA in the next 15 years?

I see an organisation owning a campus offering tuition and grants on science journalism for African journalists. Currently we do not have a long term funded project – we hope that in the next five years, we will get long term projects and a more vibrant body of science journalists in Africa.