NMG Celebrates Excellence at Inaugural Photo Awards
WINNER: Breaking News Category ;A tear gas canister goes off on Anti Government protester along Tom Mboya street in Nairobi on July 2, 2024.
Text By Sila Kiplagat
Nation Media Group (NMG) on Wednesday honored 16 winners of the inaugural Nation Photo Awards, marking the conclusion of the month-long Nation Photo Festival. Held at the Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, the festival showcased a remarkable array of images from NMG’s extensive 25-million-photo archive. The event, which began on November 21, remains open to the public.
The awards, the first of their kind by a Kenyan media house, were aimed at celebrating exceptional photojournalism and visual storytelling. The initiative attracted 334 entries, highlighting themes such as environmental sustainability, breaking news, and inspiring portraits.
A key partner of the event was TECNO, whose collaboration with NMG underscored the role of technology in advancing photojournalism. Alongside other partners, including the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA), SAFAL group, and Equity Bank played a pivotal role in making the event a success.
“This festival has been a remarkable journey,” said NMG’s General Manager Commercial, James Sogoti. “Together, we explored impactful themes, including conservation efforts inspired by icons like Prof Wangari Maathai.”
The competition featured single-frame photo entries taken between March 1, 2023, and October 30, 2024, with a limit of five entries per participant. Categories included Environment and Climate Change, Breaking News, Documentary Photography, Sports and Action, Portraits in the News, and Mobile Phone Photography.
Judged by an independent panel led by Thomson Reuters Senior Photo Editor Thomas Mukoya, the awards revealed a high caliber of photojournalism in Kenya. “The entries showcased incredible talent, with some having the potential to win regional and global accolades,” said Mr. Mukoya.
NMG's Visual & Syndication Editor Joan Pereruan highlighted the significance of the awards, stating, "The Nation Photo Awards celebrate photographers who capture the heart of a story, translating complex realities into compelling visual narratives." She emphasized the contest's purpose of honouring diverse photographic talent, adding, "Through this contest, we honour the diverse talent of photographers who, like Nation Media Group, are committed to documenting stories that matter, shaping public understanding, and sparking meaningful conversations across communities."
The Mobile Phone category, was especially significant, showcasing the capabilities of modern smartphones in professional photography. NMG plans to make the awards an annual event, with ambitions to expand it regionally and continentally. "This platform aims to inspire collaboration, innovation, and change through visual storytelling," said Ms. Mercy Kamunya, NMG’s Commercial Manager, Advertising.
The festival and awards underscore NMG’s commitment to celebrating photojournalists who bring stories to life through powerful visual narratives.
HONORARY MENTION | Sports And Action Ulinzi Stars' Shannel Makwata (left) is tackled by Eric Michubu of Bidco United in their Football Kenya Federation League match at Ulinzi Sports Complex on November 5, 2023.
FIRST RUNNER-UP: Breaking News Category;Protestors run for cover from a gush of water sprayed from a water canon along Tom Mboya Street on June 25 2024 during the Anti-Finance Bill demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Documentary Photography; A herd of animals gather at a water point in Kara Village Wajir County on April 23,2024.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Documentary Photography; An aerial shot of a water pan in a fairly green vegetation in Garissa County on April 25,2024.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Documentary Photography;Villagers at KARA in Wajir County could be seen quenching thirst at a water point in Kara on April 23,2024. Humanitarian aid providers such as Save the children have engaged in drilling boreholes and pumping water from water pans to help the community during harsh climatic change.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Documentary Photography; Elders at Kara Village in Wajir County weeding a field with maize plantation on April 23,2024.Prolonged drought in Northern part of Kenya and loss of livestocks prompted the community to take advantage of the continued rains in the region to try cultivating land for agriculture use.
WINNER: Documentary Photography;An aerial view of Mukuru Slum in Nairobi, captured on May 19, 2024. The Kenyan government's recent directive for the demolition of illegally constructed structures along riparian land highlights ongoing efforts to address urban planning issues and environmental concerns in vulnerable communities.
WINNER: Documentary Photography;Families in Mukuru Kayaba in Nairobi left without a roof over their heads, forced to spend the night under the stars after their homes were demolished on May 19, 2024, the government ordered the demolition of structures and buildings illegally constructed along riparian land near rivers.
WINNER: Documentary Photography;Residents of Mukuru Kayaba in Nairobi left without shelter after their homes were torn down, leaving them with no choice but to spend the night outside on May 19, 2024, the government ordered the demolition of structures and buildings illegally constructed along riparian land near rivers.
WINNER: Documentary Photography; Residents of Mukuru Kayaba in Nairobi left without shelter after their homes were torn down, leaving them with no choice but to spend the night outside on May 19, 2024, the government ordered the demolition of structures and buildings illegally constructed along riparian land near rivers.
Environment and Climate Change Category
WINNER ; Kenya wildlife service Veterinary and capture rangers scamper for safety after opening the doors14th October 2024 . This was during the Elephant translocation from Mwea National Reserve to Aberdares National park where 54 elephants were translocated due to over population and human wildlife conflict at Mwea ecosystem.
Environment and Climate Change Category
WINNER; A darted 1 month old Elephant charges at a Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Jeremiah Porgon who sort refuge by climbing on top of the tranquilized mother during the capture and translocation of elephants at Mwea National Reserve to Aberdares National Park where 54 elephants where translocated due to human wildlife conflict and overpopulation at Mwea ecosystem.
Environment and Climate Change Category
WINNER; Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary and capture rangers aid in laying a tranquilized elephant onto the recovery vehicle during the capture and translocation of 54 elephants at Mwea National reserve to Aberdares National Park. This was due to over population and human wildlife conflict.
Environment and Climate Change Category
WINNER; A blind folded reticulated giraffe familiarizes itself on a transportation vehicle before being transferred to a recovery crate by Kenya Wildlife Service veterinary and capture personnel at Lewa downs. They were translocated to Mt. Kenya Conservancy in aid of breeding and repopulating the ecosystem.
Environment and Climate Change Category
HONORARY MENTION
Employees of a timber sales shop stack up their stock to shield it from the rain on April 26, 2024 at their stall located in Mathare Slum. The recent heavy rains hitting various parts of the city have left small business owners with losses due to power outages, loss of stock and operating at half day as the rains keep away customers.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Environment and Climate Change Category; Waste pickers sift through waste at the Dandora dump site in Nairobi on 26th April 2024. Over two million tons of waste is delivered to Dandora dump site everyday. Waste pickers sift through it to pick plastics, glass and other recyclable material that they sell to earn a living. Waste pickers are exposed to harmful chemicals, broken glass and toxic fumes. They risk their lives to make a living.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Environment and Climate Change Category; Jane Wangari, Secretary of the Waste Pickers Association of Kenya, at the Dandora Dump Site in Nairobi on 26th April 2024. Over two million tons of waste is delivered to Dandora Dump Site everyday. Joyce and other waste pickers sift through it to pick plastics, glass and other recycleable materials that they sell to earn a living. Waste pickers are exposed to harmful chemicals, broken glass and toxic fumes. They risk their lives to make a living.
FIRST RUNNER-UP:Environment and Climate Change Category; Waste pickers sift through waste at the Dandora dump site in Nairobi on 26th April 2024. Over two million tons of waste is delivered to Dandora dump site everyday. Waste pickers sift through it to pick plastics, glass and other recyclable material that they sell to earn a living. Waste pickers are exposed to harmful chemicals, broken glass and toxic fumes. They risk their lives to make a living.
Mobile Photography winner; This breathtaking photograph captures a fleeting moment of delicate beauty—a butterfly perched gracefully on the vibrant petals of a fiery orange flower. The vivid colors, exquisite details, and perfect harmony between the butterfly and its floral perch evoke a sense of wonder and connection to the natural world—a story captured through the lens of a phone camera, showcasing the power of technology to immortalize life's simplest yet most profound moments.
Portraits In The News Winner ;A demonstrator confronts police officers during protests against the 2024 Finance Bill on 20th June 2024. They marched against the Bill which proposes an increase in taxes as recommended by the International Monetary Fund.
FIRST RUNNER-UP | Portraits In The News ; A participant follows proceeding with a hawk on his head during the Gen-z Shujaaz Memorial concert held on July 7th 2024 at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Sports Action Winner ; Adrien Fourmaux, navigated by Alexandre Coria, in action at Twin Tree section at Kedong in Naivasha during the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC) on March 29, 2024.
