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The International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA), formerly known as the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of East Africa, is a non-profit organization representing a vibrant community of over 300 journalists reporting from across the region. Registered under Kenya’s Societies Act, IPAEA brings together foreign correspondents, local journalists, and media professionals committed to high-quality, independent journalism in East Africa.

We champion rigorous, balanced, and courageous journalism and strive to create a safe and enriching environment that empowers our members to tell the full story of this continent. Our work focuses on defending press freedom and ensuring that journalists can carry out their reporting free from violence, harassment, or interference — as well as offering a strong network of contacts and information to our members.

What are you waiting for? Join our community today and be part of a powerful network dedicated to quality journalism and storytelling about East Africa.

What We Do

Advocacy.

We campaign for freedom of the press in the region and lobby against the targeted harassment of journalists. Through advocacy, we work to ensure that journalists can operate without fear, safeguard their rights, and continue to hold power to account.

Support.

We offer press cards that allow our members to perform their work without unnecessary barriers. We provide access to training in critical areas like first aid, hazardous environments, and digital security. (Click here for more information) (links, PDF, info)

Resources.

We facilitate exclusive briefings and panel discussions, providing our members with direct access to prominent figures, decision-makers, and experts from across the region. We also maintain a private WhatsApp group, a trusted and dynamic space where members can share contacts and resources.

Connection and community.

We foster a sense of community among our members by hosting social networking events, such as documentary screenings, a monthly meet-up, or an Iftar dinner during Ramadan. To top it off, we host a festive end-of-year party featuring an exciting raffle.

We have also built a platform called Habari Prints (Habari news in Kiswahili) where our photographer members can showcase and sell some of their pictures.

Elected Board

Evelyne Musambi

Chair

Malcolm Webb

Board Member

Birte Mensing

Treasurer

Lucía Blanco

Secretary

Haydar Mohamed

Vice Secretary

Stewart Maclean

Vice Treasurer

Alexandria Williams

Board Member and Co-Chair

Abdishukri Haybe

Vice Chair

Natasha Chebet

Programmes & Admin Manager

For the record: Guest speakers hosted since 2015

  • Richard Moncrieff- Project Director, Great Lakes at international crisis group
  • Fred Bauma- Executive Secretary of Ebuteli Institute
  • Natalia Torrent- Head of Mission at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
  • Mamadou Dian Balde – UNHCR Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes.
  • Hon. Martha Karua- Senior counsel and chair of the People’s liberation party of Kenya
  • Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population Health and Research Center (APHRC)
  • Jakkie Cilliers- Co-Founder of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa)
  • Lodewijk Briet, European Union Ambassador to Kenya
  • Gitobu Imanyara, Imenti Central MP and human rights lawyer
  • Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, UN Special Representative for Somalia
  • Andrew Mwangura, Seafarers’ Assistance Programme
  • David Gressly, Regional Coordinator of UN Mission in Southern Sudan
  • John Githongo, Kenyan former anti-corruption commissioner
  • Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, then President of Somalia
  • James Orengo, Kenyan Minister of Lands
  • Abbas Gullet, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society
  • Michael Joseph, CEO Safaricom
  • Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya
  • Kalonzo Musyoka, Vice-President of Kenya
  • Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute
  • Eric de Mul, Head of UNDP South Sudan
  • Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin, Apostolic Nuncio for Kenya
  • Max Gaylard, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia
  • Adam Wood, former British High Commissioner in Kenya
  • Uhuru Kenyatta, then Kenyan Opposition leader
  • Wolfgang Töpfer, Executive Director UNEP
  • Pascal Cuttat, Head of Regional Delegation, ICRC
  • Annette Weber, EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa