James Macharia Chege
About James Macharia Chege
James Macharia Chege serves as the Bureau Chief for Southern Africa at Thomson Reuters, a position he has held since 2015. With extensive experience in journalism and media relations, he has worked in various roles within Thomson Reuters and has a strong background in the extractive industry and political risk analysis.
Work at Thomson Reuters
James Macharia Chege has held multiple positions at Thomson Reuters since joining the organization. He currently serves as the Bureau Chief for Southern Africa, a role he has occupied since 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to this, he worked as the Acting Bureau Chief for Eastern Africa from 2012 to 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. His experience also includes serving as Deputy Bureau Chief for Eastern Africa from 2010 to 2014 and as Senior Correspondent for Mining & Commodities in Southern Africa from 2007 to 2010. Additionally, he worked as a Senior Sub-Editor for Sub-Saharan Africa and as a Treasury Correspondent for Eastern Africa earlier in his career.
Education and Expertise
James Macharia Chege holds a Bachelor's Degree from Kenyatta University, which he completed from 1989 to 1993. He also obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Nairobi between 1994 and 1995. In 1998, he participated in the Freedom Forum Journalist-In-Residence Fellowship at The Poynter Institute, where he focused on Financial Investigative Journalism. He furthered his studies as a Visiting Fellow at the University of South Carolina, specializing in Communication, Journalism, and newspaper production. His educational background supports his expertise in journalism, particularly in the financial and extractive sectors.
Background
Before joining Thomson Reuters, James Macharia Chege worked at Kenya Power as the Head of Media Relations from 1999 to 2001. He began his journalism career at Nation Media Group, where he served as a Financial Correspondent for The EastAfrican and Daily Nation from 1994 to 1999. His early career laid the foundation for his later roles in financial and commodity reporting, contributing to his extensive experience in the media industry.
Achievements
Throughout his career, James Macharia Chege has led teams that provide insights into the extractive industry and political risk in Southern Africa. His advocacy for diversity in the workplace and business integrity reflects his commitment to ethical journalism and responsible reporting. His involvement in various roles at Thomson Reuters highlights his significant contributions to the field of journalism, particularly in the areas of finance and commodities.