On December 18, 2024, the Nation Photo Awards by the Nation Media Group celebrated photographers who capture the heart of a story, translating complex realities into compelling visual narratives.
It was the first time that a major honours award was being held in Kenya to solely laud the work of photographers across the board. There were different categories including; Environmental and Climate Change, Breaking News, Documentary Photography, Sports and Action, Portraits in the News, and Mobile Phone Photography.
The judges were Azim Said of the Associated Press, Thomas Mukoya, Senior Pictures Editor for East Africa Reuters Pictures and Henry Misiko, the Lead Editor at Digital Newsroom Nation Media.
Azim noted that the photographers did a very good job and advised them to always walk with a camera because “you never know where you will get a decent picture.”
Mwangi Kirubi who emerged as the winner in the Portrait in the News Category said his photography journey started off as a hobby. “In 2006 I quit my job to pursue photography. I was working as a copywriter at Kiss FM.”
Photography has been a learning curve for him. “When we started, we had no YouTube, no photography classes or clubs, we all had to learn the hard way. I was shooting using film. There are times when I would shoot a full roll of film and when I get to the studio have nothing to show.”
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.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Muthoni | Kenya Wildlife Service
For Elizabeth Muthoni who won the Environment and Climate Change Category her journey into photography as influenced by her father.
“My dad was a road engineer. He had a film camera that he would give me to take a few pictures with. Upon completion of high school, I wanted to be a lawyer but I realised it wasn’t for me because it meant that I had to sit and read which was a challenge because I loved being outdoors.
Other winners; include Joseph Kispang in the Sports and Action Category Atieno Atieno in the Mobile Phone Category and Evans Habil in the Breaking News Category.
