Kenya’s Top Journalist Secures CNN Academy Fellowship
Elijah Mwangi, an award-winning Kenyan journalist, has been chosen a 2026 CNN Academy Fellow after finishing the highly difficult Storytelling in the Age of AI curriculum.
The success places him within a group of journalists from around the world who are well-equipped to create the future of media by ethically using artificial intelligence in narrative.
It also qualifies him as a CNN Academy Storyteller, joining a group of elite global journalists educated to exploit emerging technology while maintaining ethical reporting standards.
Following the news, Mwangi described the honor as a personal milestone and a call for journalism to embrace innovation without sacrificing its ideals.
“This fellowship is a reminder that journalism must continue evolving without losing its soul,” Mwangi said.
“The future belongs to storytellers who combine technology, creativity and credibility. CNN Academy challenged me to rethink how stories are told, verified and shared,” he added.
CNN Academy’s Storytelling in the Age of AI programme equips journalists with the skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly in reporting.
It also explores how emerging technologies can enhance storytelling.
Mwangi’s selection places him among the few Kenyan journalists who have gained international recognition through CNN’s journalism development initiatives.
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Beyond journalism, Mwangi serves as the team lead at Anchor Bay Productions, where he oversees documentary storytelling and strategic communications for local and international organisations.
Over the years, he has contributed to notable productions, including The Chamwada Report and Daring Abroad, programmes through which he showcased his ability to produce compelling stories.
Mwangi has also built a notable record as an award-winning journalist. In 2024, he won the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) in the Blue Economy and Business Reporting (Television) category.
His latest recognition comes at a time when media houses worldwide are adapting to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
The use of AI is transforming how stories are researched, verified, produced and distributed.
CNN Academy is offering FREE training in Abu Dhabi for young storytellers from Africa and the Global South.
Apply below if you’re a content creator, journalist, or storyteller in the early stages of your career 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/K49dcbpKDh— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) May 26, 2025
As media houses navigate this changing landscape, Mwangi’s selection as a CNN Academy Fellow forms part of the growing global recognition of Kenyan journalists.
Kenya’s Top Journalist Secures CNN Academy Fellowship
