Analysis, Opinion, Essays, Journalism
The Elephant
The Elephant, the Kenyan platform for politics, society and long-form analysis, takes pitches of no more than 500 words for features running between 1,500 and 3,500 words. Payment is discussed with each writer after a pitch is approved for commissioning rather than published as a rate card. Articles published in a month are paid within the first ten days of the following month.
🟢 Currently accepting Verified 2026-09
The docket
The nine things that decide whether a pitch is worth sending. Every answer below is either taken from the publication’s own guideline or computed by BRYME from the 288-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- Discussed per commission — no published rateWithin the first ten days of the month following publication.
- Length
- Features run 1,500–3,500 words
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo stated country restriction. The Elephant's coverage is centred on Kenya and the region, and the write-for-us page does not restrict who may pitch.
- Reading period
- Not yet assessedBRYME has not recorded a reading period for this market from its guideline page. That is our gap rather than the publication's silence: it does not mean the window is open, and it does not mean there is none. Read the guideline linked on this page before you send.
- Response time
- Not statedNo response time recorded. A follow-up after two to three weeks is reasonable; silence past that is a soft no, not a rejection.
- Simultaneous submissions
- Not statedThe guideline does not address simultaneous submissions. BRYME records that as silence rather than assuming a yes: if you are sending the same piece to several publications, say so in your cover letter and withdraw it everywhere the moment it is taken.
- AI policy
- Not statedThe guideline is silent. BRYME records that 127 of the 288 publications on this desk do restrict AI-assisted work, so silence here is not permission — ask.
- Rights
- Not statedBRYME records that 149 of the 288 publications on this desk state their terms. This one does not. Ask what rights you are assigning, for how long and for what territory, before you sign anything.
- Experience
- Not yet assessedBRYME has read this publication's guideline but has not yet put the experience question to it, so this row is untouched rather than unanswered — it is our gap, not theirs. Treat it exactly as you would an unstated policy.
What this record does not tell you
This publication leaves 7 of the nine questions unanswered. BRYME publishes that gap instead of filling it — a generated answer would look complete and cost you a pitch.
- Who can submit — the guideline leaves this open, so ask before you spend an evening on the pitch rather than assuming a yes.
- Reading period — no window recorded yet, so check the guideline before you pitch rather than assuming it is open.
- Response time — expect to wait blind, and keep other pitches live.
- Simultaneous submissions — the guideline leaves this open, so declare it in your cover letter rather than assuming.
- AI policy — assume disclosure is expected unless the editor says otherwise.
- Rights — you may be asked to assign more than you expect. Get the terms in writing.
- Experience — BRYME has not assessed this one yet, so do not read the blank as either a welcome or a bar. Look at who the publication normally publishes before you pitch.
Record last human-checked 2026-09-30. Sources listed at the foot of this page. This record holds no figure BRYME could compare, so no ranking appears above it. Where a rate is quoted per word, it is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- Discussed per commission — no published rate
- Word count
- Features run 1,500–3,500 words
- Submission
- Email pitch to the relevant section
- International writers
- Yes
- Status
- 🟢 Currently accepting
- Last verified
- 2026-09
What this publication wants
This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Analysis, Opinion, Essays, Journalism. Official guideline: The Elephant guidelines.
Topics, themes and styles they look for
- A pitch of no more than 500 words, sent to the section that best suits it — Analysis, Opinion, Reflections or Investigations.
- Features between 1,500 and 3,500 words.
Subjects they avoid
- The write-for-us page does not publish a list of exclusions. Read the section you are pitching before you send, since the four sections have different registers.
Key requirements
- Email info@theelephant.info with a pitch document of no more than 500 words.
- Address the pitch to the section of The Elephant that best suits it.
- Agree the payment with your editor after the pitch is approved for commissioning, before you file.
- Expect payment within the first ten days of the month after publication.
Who can submit
No stated country restriction. The Elephant's coverage is centred on Kenya and the region, and the write-for-us page does not restrict who may pitch.
Rights
Not stated on the official write-for-us page.
AI policy
Not stated in the guideline
How to write for them
Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.
BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.
How to pitch
Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.
- Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
- Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
- Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
- Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
- Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
- Say why it fits this publication.
- Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
- Close professionally and thank them for their time.
- Send through the official channel only.
Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.
How to submit
Email pitch to the relevant section
Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.
- Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
- Submission: Email pitch to the relevant section
- Submission email: info@theelephant.info
What the guideline asks you to prepare
- Read https://www.theelephant.info/write-for-us/ and pick the right section.
- Keep the pitch document under 500 words.
- Get the fee agreed before you write the piece.
What happens after submission
Expected response: Not stated
If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.
Check, question or correct this record
BRYME publishes its working, not just its conclusions. Last human check: 2026-09.