For another year running, Sifa FM, a TWR Kenya project has maintained highest achievements in the prestigious Media Council of Kenya, Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA).
The Station has been shining during the AJEA Awards for the last three sequential years.
In 2021 the station bagged three MCK AJEA awards including Investigative reporting Award, Environment Reporting Award and Best Grantee Award.
The following years, the station upheld its great performance scooping yet another three historic AJEA 2022 accolades. The three comprised of the Agriculture and food security radio category, the Pen Award Radio category and the Best Prime Time Bulletin radio category which was won by the youngest of all the Sifa FM radio stations under TWR-Kenya umbrella, Atoo Sifa, barely six months after its establishment.
This year, yet again the Station performed exemplary, with four Sifa FM journalists based in Marsabit managing to be among the finest journalists in Kenya to be Fated.
The four were front-runners in a very competitive professional awarding process in the best Investigative radio category, the Best production radio category and the Agriculture and Food Security radio category.
The latter was the first category to be announced during this year’s AJEA awards ceremony with Mathew Wario Fayo, emerging winner.
With jubilant screams filling the air at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi Kenya where the event was held on 4th of May 2023, Mr. Fayo who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Halaku Roba Fayo would not hide his excitement for winning the Best Agriculture and food Security Category, bagging this year’s trophy in that category.
“Winning the AJEA 2023 Award came as a delightful shock, an unexpected burst of joy that resounded through the very core of my being. As I embarked on the journey of submitting my entries, I held a blend of hope and unease, fully aware of the weight and significance of the stories I carefully selected. Yet, the revelation that my name found its place among the illustrious list of winners left me astounded, igniting a newfound belief in the infinite possibilities that life has to offer..” Narrated the elated Sifa FM Marsabit based journalist.
“It is a realization of a long-held dream, a testament to the power of determination and the support of a guiding hand. The catalyst behind this achievement is none other than the esteemed Sifa FM Marsabit Station manager, Mike Kwoba, who graciously enlightened me about the window of opportunity. His encouragement to submit my previously crafted stories opened a door that I hesitantly stepped through, unaware of the incredible journey that awaited me.
Fayo believes that amidst the triumph and reflection, a valuable lesson has been imprinted in his heart.
In conclusion Mr. Fayo sends his sincere gratitude to the Sifa FM/TWR management and for their support towards his accomplishments in life as a practicing journalist.
Sifa FM Marsabit team leader, Michael Kwoba who was among the four AJEA 2023 finalists, praised Mr. Fayo for his exemplary performance, holding high the station’s flag on a National and international platform.
“I was so excited when I had Fayo’s name being announced the winner of the Best Agriculture and food Security radio category award. In fact, I must boast that I was the first person to cheerily scream, celebrating the well-deserved Fayo’s win.” The station Manager revealed.
We also celebrate, Susan Mbodze Sangah, Guyo Wario Jeremiah and myself for emerging front runners in the Best radio Production and Best Investigative Story radio joint categories.
Congratulations to the entire team on a remarkable achievement! Amazing work and keep up the excellent work!”
It is worth noting that, this year alone a record of 162 front-runners were selected up from 153 finalists in 2022.The finalists were selected from 1,256 applications after a grueling 20-day judging process that took place in two phases.
It is motivating that among the 68 winners who were unveiled on 4th May 2023, Sifa FM Station was not left out.
The Awards Ceremony was a culmination of the World Press Freedom Day celebration held on the 3rd day of May.
Meanwhile during awards ceremony, the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula who was the Chief Guest emphasized the importance of media freedom in the social and political transformation of society.
On his part, Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo said: “Despite all the challenges journalists faced in the previous campaign year, we still had to pause and write stories on the environment, governance, press freedom and all that. It means that there was a lot of sacrifice to get that done.”
Credit: Mike Kwoba
