The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has made changes to the 2025 Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) to recognize good journalism across all media platforms.
At the AJEA 2025 category launch in Nairobi on Tuesday, MCK CEO David Omwoyo said the Council wants to reward quality journalism, no matter the platform. “Good journalism crosses platforms,” Omwoyo said, adding that this year, there will be one winner in each category for TV, radio, print, or digital.
The new changes aim to encourage meaningful storytelling and raise the standards in Kenya’s media. Omwoyo also introduced new special categories for emerging issues, such as the Tourism Reporting Award, the National Cohesion/Developing Story Award, and the Animal Welfare Award.
“These new categories focus on current issues that need more attention,” Omwoyo said.
The MCK CEO also talked about the importance of the media in bringing people together and promoting unity, urging journalists to report carefully and fairly.
Omwoyo emphasized the role of editors and sub-editors in ensuring stories meet editorial standards. He asked them to guide reporters, follow ethical rules, and make sure the context of stories is clear.
He thanked journalists for their hard work despite the challenges of digital changes and financial struggles, stressing that the media plays a key role in serving the public.
AJEA is a major event for MCK that celebrates the best in Kenya’s media industry and is held around World Press Freedom Day on May 3. Omwoyo invited accredited journalists in Kenya to submit their work, published or broadcast between February 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Entries must be submitted online by February 28, 2025.
Winners will be recognized at the AJEA gala at the end of the Annual Media Summit. Prizes include cash, trophies, certificates, and scholarships for training.
Journalists can submit work in print, broadcast, or digital formats, in English, Kiswahili, or any Kenyan vernacular language. The categories include Governance Reporting, Gender Reporting, Best Radio Production, Best TV Production, Health Reporting, Sports Reporting, Agriculture Reporting, and others, along with special categories like Tourism and Animal Welfare Reporting.
