The New Humanitarian welcomes Churchill Otieno as new board president
We are delighted to announce Churchill Otieno, a leading Kenyan journalist with 22 years’ experience in digital media and communication strategies, as the next President of the Board of Directors of The New Humanitarian.
Mr Otieno is the President of The Africa Editors Forum, the Executive Director of the Eastern Africa Editors Society, and chairs the Steering Committee of the Africa Media Convention. A Board member since July 2024, he brings deep editorial and digital expertise, along with a strong commitment to independent journalism in Africa and beyond.
“To lead The New Humanitarian is to hold both a torch and a compass… a torch to illuminate injustices often shrouded in indifference, and a compass to navigate a world where humanitarian crises multiply yet empathy falters. I step into this role with clarity: TNH must be more than a storyteller; it must be a catalyst, demanding accountability while amplifying voices the world too easily silences. We celebrate Paula Fray, whose visionary stewardship wove integrity into TNH’s DNA, proving that journalism, at its boldest, can stir action and nurture institutions rooted in courage. Today, as storms gather, from conflict to climate to algorithms, we call on all who believe in our shared humanity: lend your voice, your rigour, your hope. The work ahead is vast, but so is our collective power to bend the arc toward justice,” said Mr Otieno.
Mr Otieno succeeds award-winning South African journalist, editor, trainer, and media manager Paula Fray, who joined the Board in 2015 before becoming President in 2019.
Ms Fray’s leadership over the past six years, alongside Swiss lawyer Sacha Meuter as Vice President and chartered accountant Martin Aked as Treasurer, has been instrumental in guiding the organisation through a period of significant transformation – including its recent leadership transition, the launch of a new strategy, its growing focus on decolonising humanitarian journalism, and its continued efforts to amplify the voices of people affected by crises.
Ms Fray is the founder of frayintermedia and has long championed representative and ethical journalism across the continent. Under her stewardship, the Board deepened its diversity and strategic oversight and strengthened the organisation’s governance, positioning it for long-term impact.
“It has been an honour to serve The New Humanitarian. The organisation’s mission – to centre the voices of those most affected by crises – is more vital than ever in a rapidly shifting global landscape. I am deeply grateful to the dedicated staff and my fellow Board members whose unwavering commitment and vision have helped steer TNH towards a stronger, more inclusive future,” said Ms Fray.
Mr Otieno is a former President of the Kenya Editors’ Guild and a former Head of News and Managing Editor for Digital at Nation Media Group. He specialises in newsroom leadership, digital transformation, and media regulation. He is also a member of the Board of Industry Advisors to the Journalism Innovation & Leadership programme at the University of Central Lancashire, UK, and a visiting lecturer at both the Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications and at Moi University.
In addition to Mr Otieno’s new role, The New Humanitarian’s Board of Directors has recently elected Hayley Nelson, marketing and leadership consultant, as Vice President, and Zeynep Kudatgobilik, Transformation Lead for Risk and Controls at Citigroup, as Treasurer. HRH Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan and Lucie Laplante, Under Secretary General for Legal, Governance and Accountability, ad interim, at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, have also been elected as members of the Board.
The Board of Directors seeks to support The New Humanitarian’s strategy to decolonise its journalism, centre impact in its work, strengthen its newsroom, grow and diversify its income, and nurture an organisational culture of excitement, innovation, and well-being.