Mercy Chelang’at is an award-winning investigative journalist and fact-checker for the Nation Media Group (NMG), one of Africa’s leading media houses, where she reports on Health and Science, for the Daily Nation and NTV. With over five years of impactful multimedia experience, Mercy has established herself as a relentless truth-seeker dedicated to exposing vital public health and policy failures across Kenya and the wider Africa region.

Mercy’s recent work directly aligns with the mission of this fellowship, focusing on the overlooked crisis of rare diseases in the region. Her in-depth investigation into Motor Neurone Disease (MND), titled “A family’s battle with rare and ruthless illness that remains misunderstood in Kenya,” authoritatively documented the tragic, isolated suffering of families navigating a disease “virtually invisible to Kenya’s healthcare system.” Her reporting highlighted the crushing financial burden and the critical policy neglect faced by patients, underscoring the urgency for awareness, data collection, and policy reforms.

A multi-award-winning journalist, Mercy’s dedication to impactful reporting has been recognized with a win in Governance Reporting at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA 2024), alongside multiple distinctions in Health Reporting. She holds a Bachelor’s in communication and journalism and is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a Master’s in Mass Communication.

Chelang’at briefed National Press Foundation fellows in November 2025: Capturing the Mental Health Toll of Rare Diseases. Check out the Rare Disease Reporting Guide.