Yunis Dekow Journalism career profile
Dekow is a senior Kenyan broadcast journalist and a communications strategist currently based in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Since July 2020, he has been a press officer attached to the Africa Union, United Nations, Information Support Team which Implements the media/ strategic communications agenda for AMISOM, UNSOS and UNSOM in Somalia.
He previously worked with CBA TV both as the Chief Content Officer and Service Editor, leading teams in Hargeisa and Nairobi as required in the production of output, ensuring the material produced is lively, interesting and of relevance to the target area.
CBA TV is Somalia and Somaliland’s first ever English news network broadcasting from Hargeisa, Somaliland.
In 2018, Yunis was the Managing Editor at Radio Midnimo, where he relaunched the brand’s editorial approach, focusing on building a team of local content creators and developing multimedia projects that highlight innovators, somali culture, and inspiring people who are working to improve Northern Kenya.
Since joining Radio Midnimo, he led Artbound editorial, developing, assigning, and editing content from more than 30 contributors stationed across the country.
Previously, Yunis was the senior editor and show host for Star FM, the leading radio station in northern, Kenya, and the country’s leading Somali radio station.
He oversaw the day to day running of the radio station, edited long-form stories sent by reporters across the country, developed special radio programs, and spearheaded video production and social media video, producing more than 50 short form documentaries.
He also coordinated and developed special programs, including the inaugural Leaders biography program, Modern Somali food and Restaurants program, Road trip to northern Kenya program, the property show among others.
Between 2017 and 2018 Yunis served as a part time Communications Specialist for Action for Reform and International Development, tasked with Identifying target audiences and creating strategies to effectively engage them, ensuring ARID’s digital marketing content aligns with the brand’s identity and message, and assist with marketing campaigns as needed, among other responsibilities.
Dekow has developed strategic communications plans for international organizations working in Kenya and Somalia, and reported on key measurable outcomes recorded.
Notable media placement packages include feature interviews for the immediate former Ambassador to Somalia Stephen Michael Schwartz and President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya.
From 2015–2016, Yunis was the the pesenter of a swahili award-winning radio show providing in-depth arts/culture coverage of the 47 counties in Kenya as well as Southern Somalia for Key FM.
He was awarded a trophy of Service by the Kiswahili Professor, Wallah Bin Wallah in recognition of his outstanding contributions in encouraging the general public to embrace Swahili as a national and unifying language.
He also assisted in the development of documentary videos based on articles, which aired on Key FM’s social media. In addition, he helped produce the live music performance show ‘Zulia teule’ which aired once a week.
As a journalist, Yunis has written and reported feature articles or radio pieces for: Standard News paper, The East African, Sahan Journal, Kulan Post, Nepjournal, U report, CNN, Dalsan Radio, Africa 24, Radio Tehran, Somaliland.com among other publications and media networks.
From 2012–2015, Yunis wrote and voiced weekly on-air news review segments, “Falan qeynta wararka todobadka,” which aired on Warsan FM and Risala FM. Early in his career, he was a producer for Sifa FM’ sports show.
He is a graduate from University of Nairobi’s School of Journalism and media studies.
