A Kisii-based HiviSasa.com contributor, who joined the platform seven months ago, last week had 51 stories published and took home a bonus of Sh400 for winning best story and photo. How did Abuga Makori Jnr. manage to do this?
Makori, who last month cleared a four-year degree course in Communication and Journalism at Kisii University, has contacts for newsmakers in Kisii and neighbouring Nyamira County. That has helped him manage to submit more than 600 stories since October last year.
"I normally compile stories that I collect per day and submit most interesting ones that are of human interest," says Makori, adding that he currently submits about 10 articles per day.
This relatively inexperienced reporter has this week received an additional Sh1,840 as a 40% bonus on his payment, for being reporter of the week and photo reporter of the week. He made Sh15,000 in just three weeks.
The prolific contributor adds that what gives him an edge over fellow citizen reporters is attaching a photo, taken by his phone while in the field, to every story that he submits, in addition to writing the news stories in the inverted pyramid format.
He was not making so much money when he started. But with hard work and determination, he says, he looks forward to surpassing his own record and become a well-grounded reporter and editor who can inform the society in the most balanced, credible and authentic manner.
"When I started the online reporting, I used to earn about 500 (per week) probably because I used to take my studies since I was on my final year," he says.
Makori, who loves to watch rugby and football sporting events, is among citizen reporters who have received many weekly and monthly awards.
"Since October 2014, I have managed to win both reporter and photographer of the week on more than three occasions. Recently, I won the award for most stories sent on a week."
His advice to fellow HiviSasa.com contributors: "Stay focused and determined to inform the society because journalism is a calling."