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By Talk Africa Reporter
Nairobi, Kenya: Talk Africa journalists were among the standout names at the inaugural Women in Media Conference and Awards hosted by the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Nairobi.
The event brought together journalists, editors, media stakeholders and AMWIK partners to celebrate women who continue to shape Kenya’s media landscape through courage, creativity and public interest storytelling. For Talk Africa, the awards offered a proud moment as two of its journalists received recognition in the competitive Young Woman in Media category.
Melisa Mong’ina emerged first runner-up in the category, while Juliet Akoth was named second runner-up. Their recognition placed Talk Africa among newsrooms nurturing young women journalists whose work is contributing to stronger, more inclusive and accountable media spaces.
The Young Woman in Media Award was won by Zipporah Achieng, who topped a category that highlighted emerging talent and the promise of a new generation of women journalists. Other honourees included Mercy Mwikali, who received the Hall of Fame Award, Christine Mungai, who won the Investigative Eye Award, Ann Njogu, named Content Creator of the Year, and Judie Kaberia, recognised as AMWIK’s Most Outstanding Member. Roseleen Nzioka an Editor at Talk Africa and Journalist was awarded and recognised as an exceptional performance and dedicated supporter of AMWIK.
Beyond the evening gala, the conference created space for reflection on realities women face in the media industry. During the day, AMWIK launched the State of Women in Media in Kenya 2026 report, adding a research driven perspective to a celebration that was also a call for safer and more enabling media environments.
AMWIK Executive Director Queenter Mbori said the association’s earlier research had examined women in prominent positions, including those in media and politics, and found that one in three women experience sexual violence. She noted that Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) has intensified the risks women face, especially because digital platforms can amplify abuse and normalise harmful content.
“Alarmingly, many respondents did not recognize TFGBV as a crime. Instead, survivors are often ridiculed, and the situation is worsened when harmful content is shared and normalized,” Mbori said.
Her remarks underscored why recognising women journalists must go hand in hand with confronting barriers that limit their safety, visibility and leadership. The awards therefore served not only as a celebration of achievement, but as a reminder that media houses, partners and industry leaders must do more to protect women online and offline.
Marie Ottosson, Head of Kenya Development Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy, echoed the same concern while congratulating the award recipients.
“If we are to safeguard independent media, we must ensure women are safe online and offline. We celebrate the award recipients and their resilience. To media houses: make your workplaces safe and enabling for women. Sweden recognizes and deeply values your contribution,” she said.
For Talk Africa, the recognition of Mong’ina and Akoth affirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting young journalists and telling stories that matter. At an awards ceremony dedicated to women’s excellence in media, their achievement stood out as a testament to talent, mentorship and the growing influence of women journalists in Kenya.
