Nation Editor Harry Misiko wins top UK scholarship

A Nation editor is among 30 Kenyans who have won a top scholarship to study in the UK.

Online Editor Harrison Cheng'oli Misiko, popularly known as Harry Misiko, has been awarded a Chevening Scholarship to pursue a master's degree in Interactive Journalism at City University London.

The one-year programme focuses on digital journalism with a leaning towards data journalism, social media management and multimedia storytelling.

"To me this could not have come at a better time. Kenyan media is transitioning from analogue to digital publishing and this training will not only help me appreciate the migration but also champion it," the 2014 Alfred Friendly Fellow at The Washington Post told Nation.co.ke on Thursday.

"The future of Kenyan journalism is digital and I'm glad that Chevening is helping me prepare for it. The 'he said', 'she said' and ' they claimed' approach to journalism is no longer fashionable, and I'm happy that I'm going to learn new ways of generating and telling stories, including computer-assisted reporting and data journalism."

Winners' smiles: Al-Jazeera Producer James Mburu (left), Mr Dennis Kibira and Nation Online Editor Harry Misiko after receiving their Chevening scholarships at British High Commissioner Christian Turner's residence in Muthaiga, Nairobi, on September 9, 2015. PHOTO | NJUGI NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Mr Misiko, a former sub-editor at the Daily, Saturday and Sunday Nation newspapers, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Media Technology and IT from Maseno University.

He has also trained in data journalism at the European Journalism Centre in the Netherlands.

British High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner presented the scholarships to the 16 young women and 14 men on Wednesday evening during the scholars' reception at his residence in Muthaiga, Nairobi.

The scholars are going to pursue courses in journalism, law, public policy, conflict studies, energy, environment, security and good governance.

The Chevening programme provides financial support to outstanding individuals with leadership potential to study postgraduate courses at universities across the UK.

Like this year, the UK has floated 30 vacancies for 2016/17.

Applications close on November 3.

Source: Nation Editor Harry Misiko wins top UK scholarship