The Media Council of Kenya held the 11th Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) edition on Thursday May 4th, 2023, at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
National Assembly Speaker Hon Moses Wetang'ula who was Chief Guest acknowledged the critical role of the media in the society.
"I salute the media for keeping our country informed. You have been on the forefront in fighting corruption. The fact that the media bears fidelity to educate, inform and entertain is a great responsibility," emphasised Hon Wetang'ula.
He assured the media of the National Assembly’s support in providing a robust working environment.
"I owe the media a word of gratitude, I assure you of the National Assembly’s support through enactment of appropriate laws to enhance media protection; so that you can operate without any fear or favour", said Hon Wetang'ula.
Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo challenged journalists to evaluate their journalistic skills and assess how they can apply them differently in order to reach out to audiences demands and interests in the wake of digital media disruption to enhance media sustainability.
“Today any person holding a phone can narrate the happenings at an event. What makes you different is the analytical skills and making sense of what has happened. The audience will pay for this analytical piece. Think about this as what sets you apart from the emerging Citizen journalism”, noted Mr Omwoyo.
This year’s awards saw a record 1, 256 entries submitted from 17 categories, with a total of 133 finalists and 68 winners.
The Annual Journalism Excellence Awards is a culmination of the World Press Freedom Day commemoration where the Council recognises and celebrates excellence and professionalism in the media industry in Kenya.
Winners of the 11th AJEA Edition are:
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY TV:
Lauren Edukon, Alex Chamwada, Eric Maweu- Chams Media
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY RADIO:
Mathew Fayo-SIFA FM
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY PRINT:
James Kahongeh-Nation Media Group
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY DIGITAL:
Thomas Bwire-National Public Radio, an American non-profit media organization
BEST INVESTIGATIVE STORY TV BEST INVESTIGATIVE STORY TV:
Ibrahim Karanja, Adrams Mulama, Pauline Wakaba, Levi Wafula- Nation Media Group
BEST INVESTIGATIVE STORY RADIO:
Henix Obuchunju-Pamoja FM
BEST INVESTIGATIVE STORY PRINT :
Patrick Alushula-Standard Group
BEST INVESTIGATIVE STORY DIGITAL:
Elijah Kanyi Africa,John Allan Namu, Clint Obere -Africa Uncensored
BEST NEWS WEBSITE:
Winnie Njoki Wachira-Kenya News Agency
BEST RADIO PRODUCTION:
Lourdes Walusala, Isaac Lemoka-Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
CAMERAPERSON OF THE YEAR:
Elijah Kanyi-Africa Uncensored
CARTOONIST OF THE YEAR:
Igah S Muigai-Nation Media Group
DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING TV:
Frederick Muitiriri-TV 47
DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING RADIO:
Caren Sisya-North Rift Radio
DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING PRINT:
Elvis Ondieki-Nation Media Group
DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING DIGITAL :
Wanjohi Kabukuru-Associated Press,
Brian Inganga-Associated Press
DIGITAL ECONOMY AND BUSINESS REPORTING TV:
Pheona Kenga-Look UP TV
DIGITAL ECONOMY AND BUSINESS REPORTING RADIO:
Kenneth Wekesa-Kenya Broadcasting Corporation -Pwani FM
DIGITAL ECONOMY AND BUSINESS REPORTING PRINT:
Graham Kajilwa-Standard Group
DIGITAL ECONOMY AND BUSINESS REPORTING DIGITAL:
Mercy Tyra Murengu- Mediamax Network Ltd
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING TV:
Daniel Kaburu-Mediamax Network Ltd
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING RADIO:
Caren Sisya-North Rift Radio
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING PRINT:
Josphat Thiongó an Allan Mungai-Standard Group
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE REPORTING DIGITAL:
Cynthia Gichiri, Elijah Kanyi-Africa Uncensored
GENDER REPORTING TV:
Namukabo Werungah, Elijah Kanyi, Nicola Milne-BBC
GENDER REPORTING RADIO:
Lourdes Walusala-Kenya Broadcasting Corporation
GENDER REPORTING PRINT:
Angela Oketch-Nation Media Group
GENDER REPORTING DIGITAL:
Lenah Bosibori-Talk Africa
HEALTH REPORTING TV:
Agutu Rosa,Valery and Dennish Ochieng-Standard Group
HEALTH REPORTING RADIO:
Hamisi Kombe-Lulu FM
HEALTH REPORTING PRINT:
Lidigu Lionel-Nation Media Group
HEALTH REPORTING DIGITAL:
Carolyne Kiambo-BBC
ICT & INNOVATION REPORTING TV:
Cleophas Oluoch:Royal Media Services - Ramogi TV
ICT & INNOVATION REPORTING RADIO:
Josephat Kioko-Voice of America
ICT & INNOVATION REPORTING PRINT:
Steve Ondieki-Radio Africa Group
ICT & INNOVATION REPORTING DIGITAL:
Marianne Ndung'u, Evans Asiba-Royal Media Services
PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Thomas Mukoya-Thomson Reuters
PODCAST OF THE YEAR RADIO:
Ruth Keah-Radio Rahma
PODCAST OF THE YEAR DIGITAL:
Cynthia Gichiri-Africa Uncensored
SPORTS REPORTING TV:
Wakhisi Moses, Paul Namasaka, Waithera Mwangi, Joel Jamini-Standard Group
SPORTS REPORTING RADIO:
Ali Hassan-Standard Group
SPORTS REPORTING PRINT:
Lilys Njeru-Nation Media Group
SPORTS REPORTING DIGITAL :
Ochieng' Stephen-Mozzart Sport
JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:
Namukabo Werungah, ElijahKanyi, Nicola Milne- BBC
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT:
Larry Ngala,Ngulamu Mwaviro
Vitalis Musebe
Fred Obachi Machoka
Khadija Ali
Catherine Gicheru
Pamela Sitonni
Jemimah Mungai
PRIME TIME BULLETIN :
Angaaf Radio
MOST PROMISING YOUNG JOURNALIST:
Sammy Shiyonga-Western Nyota Television