The Nation Media Group (NMG) on Friday evening scooped top honours in the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) organised by the Media Council of Kenya.
NMG scooped eight categories of the 11 it was shortlisted for, extending its dominance in the media industry and cementing its place as a leading news organisation.
Brygettes Ngana named Journalist of the Year as Nation Media dominates AJEA
NMG South Rift Regional Editor Brygettes Ngana and TV camera person Sam Doe won the Journalist of the Year Award, the night’s top honour that came with bragging rights.
Nation Media Group's South Rift Regional Editor Brygettes Ngana receives her trophy and certificate from KRA Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi after she was named the Journalist of the Year during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) in Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
They scooped the prize for their piece on ‘Behind the Byline’
Nation Media Group videographer, Samuel Doe (right) receives his trophy and certificate from KRA Chairperson Ndiritu Muriithi after she was named the Journalist of the Year during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Daily Nation’s Sila Kiplagat was crowned the Photojournalist of the Year for his exceptional pictures during Kenya’s youth-led protests last year.
Nation Media Group's Ibrahim Karanja (centre), flanked by Fidel Nthiga, receives his trophy after he won in the Agriculture and Food Security category during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
NTV Senior Reporter Ibrahim Karanja bagged the Agriculture and Food Security Award for his piece, Sly Marikiti Brokers
Nation Media Group's Angela Oketch (left) receives a trophy and a certificate from Betty Sharon, CEO of the Collaboration of Women in Development after she won in the Gender and Inclusivity Reporting category during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Nation Media Group Health reporter Lilys Njeru displays her trophy after she won in the Environment Restoration, Blue Economy and Climate Change Reporting Digital category during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Nation Media Group's Rose Wangui (right) is joined by Wambui Kurema (left) and Pauline Wakaba after she won in the Governance and Development Reporting category during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
NTV Features reporter Rose Wangui bagged the Governance and Development Reporting Award for her piece Clinically Corrupt
NMG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Odundo celebrated the awards, saying they were a reflection of the strength of the media house’s exceptional journalism and commitment to its mission.
Nakuru Nation Media Group's Brygettes Ngana and Samuel Doe display their trophies after they were named the Journalists of the year during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
"I am very proud of our team at Nation Media Group (NMG) for once again delivering excellence by winning nine awards (the most to a single media house) across multiple multimedia categories during the MCK Annual Journalism Excellence (AJEA) Awards 2025,” Mr Odundo said.
"This achievement is a true testament to the unwavering commitment to our mission: to inform, educate, and entertain while positively influencing society. The team’s dedication, innovation, and pursuit of excellence continue to set the standards for the industry something we are all very proud of,” he added.
Mr Odundo said that building on last year’s success, these awards highlight NMG’s ongoing commitment to producing journalism that makes a real difference in society.
“Congratulations to everyone—your hard work not only elevates our brand but also strengthens our role in the society we diligently strive to serve,” he said.
Editor-in-Chief Joe Ageyo congratulated the winners, describing the awards as a “powerful validation” of the strides made in NMG’s storytelling.
The Nation Media Group team poses for a group photo with their trophies during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) at The Edge Convention Centre, Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
“It is yet another proud moment for NMG journalism. These awards are a powerful validation of the great strides we have made in reasserting the place of journalism in a democratic society. At a time when factual and dependable information is increasingly imperilled and in short supply, this recognition strengthens our resolve to keep going,” Mr Ageyo said.
“We are grateful to our audiences for their continued support, and we pledge to keep working with them to re-centre truth in public affairs and strengthen the state of our nation and the planet," he added.
Ms Ngana, the Journalist of the Year, described the award as an affirmation of her 10-year journalism journey.
“I am encouraged that the stories we produce from the regions are getting national attention. I am passionate about mental health and wellness and I am thankful that the award-winning story will go a long way in creating awareness and ending the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health,” Ms Ngana said.
Nation Media Group's South Rift Regional Editor Brygettes Ngana displays her trophy after she was named the Journalist of the Year during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi, on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
She thanked camera person Sam Doe, “for his commitment and skills in bringing the story to life,” News Editor Kennedy Kimanthi, and NMG Nakuru Bureau staff Patrick Tanui and Naftali Njoroge for their role in the story.
This year’s AJEA attracted 809 entries, a decline from the previous year’s submission of 1,081.
“The decline, we think, is as a result of the tumult in many newsrooms. Some media houses were adjusting their staffing levels, and some of the journalists did not have enough time to submit their entries,” veteran journalist Owino Opondo, the AJEA Awards judges’ representative, said.
“There has also been increased participation of vernacular media houses. Journalism is going to the villages. Everything is local. There have been many features done on the radio in Kiswahili. A good number of stories that were submitted were in health.” Mr Opondo said.
The team of 17 judges, he said, was looking to see whether the submission was original or ethical.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke acknowledged the economic pressure that media houses in the country are facing.
“To this end, we are exploring avenues to make sure that media houses are sustainable. I am engaging the principles across the media houses and within government to support the media houses and honouring the obligations for which you have done your work,” Mr Isaboke said in response to questions on the pending bills that the government is yet to pay to media organisations.
Kenya Revenue Authority chairman Ndiritu Muriithi, who was the chief guest at the event, said that it is important for the media to have the public interest at heart.
“Technology has opened up a new world. Anyone with a phone can share news but not everyone shares the truth. This is why professional journalism matters. We need trained, ethical and responsible journalists who put facts before fame,” Mr Ndiritu, a former Laikipia Governor and one-time assistant minister, said.
“Independent journalism must not be sacrificed for political pressure or profit,” he added.
Former Kiswahili Production Editor at Nation Media Group Francis Mutegi (center) receives his trophy from Broadcasting and Telecommunication Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke (right) for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards in Nairobi on May 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Former NMG Kiswahili production editor Francis Mutegi got the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution and accomplishments throughout his professional career as a journalist.
Also feted a Lifetime Achievement Award was long-time President Daniel arap Moi press secretary, Lee Njiru, who also served President Jomo Kenyatta.
Mr Njiru served with Mr Moi for the 24 years he was president and later in his retirement until his death in February 2020.
Other categories where NMG journalists were shortlisted include Animal Welfare Reporting Award (Caroline Gichuki: When your pet suffers from cancer), Best Investigative Reporting Award (Simon Ciuri: The Sh720 million jobs frauds scam), and the Financial and Business Reporting Award (Patrick Alushula: Banks splash billions on tech, talent to keep fraudsters at bay).
Jocelyne Ngatambu from the Standard Media Group was feted as the Videographer of the Year for the Man eaters of Juja feature.
Full list of NMG AJEA 2025 Winners
3. Agriculture and Food Security Award - Ibrahim Karanja (Camera: Fidel Nthiga ; Video Editing: Pauline Wakaba )
4. Best Television Production Award - Smriti Vidyarthi (Camera: Robert Gichira and Fidel Nthiga ; Video Editing: Shabach Mwaluvicho )
5. Environment Restoration, Blue Economy and Climate Reporting Award - Lilys Njeru
7. Governance and Development Reporting Award - Rose Wangui (Camera: Wambui Kurema ; Video Editing: Pauline Wakaba )
