Wetangula Graces Journalism Awards Dominated By Nation Media [LIST]

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Thursday, May 5 advocated for freedom of the press, terming it a cornerstone of democracy and playing a dynamic role in the economic transformation of society.

He was speaking during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards 2023 Ceremony held at Safari Park in Nairobi where 55 journalists were awarded in different categories.

He urged journalists not to fear to act and not to act in fear while on duty saying they were key in the fight for democratic space, the kind of freedom that some countries have benefited from by attracting foreign direct investments

He further applauded the members of the Fourth Estate for putting the interests of the country and community as a priority.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula with Media Council of Kenya (MCK) CEO David Omwoyo at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) on May 4, 2023. /MEDIA COUNCIL OF KENYA

"I recognize and deeply appreciate that journalists are professionals who put their country and community above themselves, often risking their lives to bring us stories that they hope will spur change in different sectors of our society," said Wetangula.

"True journalism seeks to expose injustices, clarify murky situations, give voice to the voiceless, empower people, change minds for the better and even offer the promise of a better world."

Wetangula encouraged the media fraternity to follow professional ethics by avoiding adversarial journalism that usually leads to the undermining of their freedoms.

He noted that journalists have on many occasions highlighted pivotal issues of interest to communities and the government has often responded through various interventions, as was the case with the Shakahola massacre.

"A case in point is the rather disturbing incident of the Shakahola forest massacre in Kilifi County, where a self-styled Pastor Paul Mackenzie misled a congregation to starve to death to meet Jesus. I have also asked our security agents to allow media to cover the happenings," he said.

The Speaker further urged the media to fight fake news that has always found itself in newsrooms, adding that the more people can access reliable and credible information, the more they are equipped to make informed choices and hold their leaders and governments to account.

He stated that there is a need for the three arms of government to reconnect and build relationships that bind them with the media fraternity and that true journalism will always seek to expose injustices, clarify murky situations, give voice to the voiceless, empower people, change minds for the better, and even offer the promise of a better world.

The speaker promised to help journalists through lawmakers pass laws that will help them while in the line of duty. He further congratulated the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) for holding the awards for the last 10 years.

"The Annual Journalism Excellence Awards enables deeper self-evaluation, as journalists review their work, select their best pieces for peer evaluation; helping them gauge both their effectiveness and their professionalism," he said, further urging MCK to keep the awards going since they aim to inspire newly employed journalists.

AJEA 2023 Awards

Present at the event were Senator Allan Chesang (Trans Nzoia), Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda, Charity Kathambi (Njoro), John Waluke (Sirisia), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani) and Basil Robert Ngui (Yatta).

Others were Kitayama Marwap (Kuria East), Joseph Cherorop (Kipkelion East) and Hon Sabina Chege (Nominated).

The MCK Journalism Excellence Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the contribution of journalists to the media industry in Kenya. It is a platform for journalists to showcase their work, compete for awards and interact with their peers, media professionals and other stakeholders.

The event, considered as the Oscars of the media industry, provides an opportunity for journalists to network, learn and share ideas to promote excellence in journalism in the country.

NTV's Frederick Muitiriri posing with his award at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) on May 4, 2023. /TWITTER.FREDMUITIRIRI

Thursday's event saw the Nation Media Group (NMG) flex its muscles as a media powerhouse, with a majority of the awardees across print, TV, radio and digital coming from the Twin Towers. 

Here is the full list:

1. Best Investigative story Digital - Elijah Kanyi - Africa Uncensored
2. Best Investigative Story Print - Patrick Alushula - Standard Group
3. Best Investigative Story Radio - Henix Obuchunju - Pamoja FM
4. Best Investigative Story TV - Ibrahim Karanja - Nation Media Group
5. Best News Website - Winnie Wachira - Kenya News Agency (KNA)
6. Best Radio Production Award - Lourdes Walusala - KBC
7. Digital Economy and Business Reporting Digital - Mery Tyra Murengu - Mediamax
8. Digital Economy and Business Reporting Print - Graham Kajilwa - Standard Group
9. Digital Economy and Business Reporting Radio - Kenneth Wekesa - KBC Pwani FM
10. Digital Economy and Business Reporting TV - Pheona Kenga- Look Up TV
11. Environment and Climate Change Reporting Digital - Cynthia Gichiri - Africa Uncensored
12. Environment and Climate Change Reporting Print - Josphat Thiong'o - Standard Group
13. Environment and Climate Change Reporting Radio - Caren Sisya - North Rift Radio
14. Environment and Climate Change Reporting TV - Daniel Kaburu - Mediamax
15. ICT & Innovation Reporting Digital - Maryanne Nyambura - Royal Media Services
16. ICT & Innovation Reporting Print - Steve Ondieki - Radio Africa
17. ICT & Innovation Reporting Radio - Josephat Kioko - VOA
18. ICT & Innovation Reporting TV - Cleophas Oluoch - Royal Media Services
19. Agriculture and Food Safety Digital - Thomas Bwire - National Public Radio
20. Agriculture and Food Safety Print - James Kahongeh - Nation Media Group
21. Agriculture and Food Safety Radio - Mathew Fayo - Sifa FM
22. Agriculture and Food Safety TV - Lauren Edukon - Chams Media
23. Camera Person of the Year - Elijah Kanyi - Africa Uncensored
24. Cartoonist of the Year - Igah Muigai - Nation Media Group
25. Development and Public Affairs Reporting Digital - Wanjohi Kabukuru - Associated Press (AP)
26. Development and Public Affairs Reporting Print - Elvis Ondieki - Nation Media Group
27. Development and Public Affairs Reporting Radio - Caren Sisya - North Rift Radio
28. Development and Public Affairs Reporting TV - Fredrick Muitiriri - TV47 (now at NTV)
29. Gender Reporting Digital - Lenah Bosibori - Talk Africa
30. Gender Reporting Print - Angela Oketch - Nation Media Group
31. Gender Reporting Radio - Lourdes Walusala - KBC
32. Gender Reporting TV - Namukabo Werungah - BBC
33. Podcast of the Year Digital - Cynthia Gichiri - Africa Uncensored
34. Podcast of the Year Radio - Ruth Keah - Radio Rahma
35. Health Reporting Digital - Carolyne Kiambo - BBC
36. Health Reporting Print - Lionel Lidigu - Nation Media Group
37. Health Reporting Radio - Hamisi Kombe - Lulu FM
38. Health Reporting TV - Agutu Rosa - Standard Group
39. Photo Journalist of the Year - Thomas Mukoya - Thomson Reuters
40. Sports Reporting Digital - Ochieng' Stephen
41. Sports Reporting Print - Lilys Njeru - Nation Media Group
42. Sports Reporting Radio - Ali Kauleni - Standard Group
43. Sports Reporting TV - Moses Wakhisi - Standard Group
44. Prime Time Bulleting - Angaff Radio
45. Lifetime Achievement Award - Fred Obachi Machoka - Radio
46. Lifetime Achievement Award - Catherine Gicheru - Print
47. Lifetime Achievement Award - Larry Ngala - Print
48. Lifetime Achievement Award - Pamella Sittoni - Print
49. Lifetime Achievement Award - Ngulamu Mwaviro - Broadcast
50. Lifetime Achievement Award - Khadija Ali - Broadcast
51. Lifetime Achievement Award - Vitalis Musebe - Print/Broadcast
52. Lifetime Achievement Award - Jemimah Mungai - Broadcast
53. Most Promising Young Journalist Award - Sammy Shiyonga - Western Nyota TV
54. Journalists of the Year - Elijah Kanyi - Africa Uncensored, Namukabo Werungah - BBC