Nominations for the Simani Elevate Awards 2026 are open from 2 November 2026 to 7 November 2026. Do you know a young person who is breaking new ground, building a business from nothing, or lifting their community? Put their name forward.
There are 13 categories: 11 for young achievers and 2 recognising TVET institutions and companies advancing youth skills.
Youth Awards
- The Trailblazer Award: A young person breaking new ground in their field or community.
- Hustle & Hope Award: A youth entrepreneur building a business from the ground up.
- Voice of the Generation: Youth advocacy, activism, or leadership on social issues.
- Mtaa Changemaker Award: Grassroots impact in a local community or estate.
- She Rises Award: A young woman excelling against the odds and lifting other girls and young women.
- He Rises Award: A young man excelling against the odds and lifting other boys and young men.
- Digital Disruptor Award: Innovation in tech, digital content, or online enterprise.
- Creative Fire Award: Excellence in arts, music, film, fashion, or design.
- Green Guardian Award: Climate action and environmental stewardship.
- Comeback Champion Award: Resilience and rising after setbacks.
- Skills to Success Award: A young person who turned technical or vocational skills into a livelihood.
TVET Awards
- TVET Institution of Excellence: The institution with the strongest outcomes in industry linkage, employability, and innovation.
- Industry Champion for Youth Skills: The company leading in apprenticeships, attachments, and hiring of TVET graduates.
How to nominate
Open the Nominate page, pick the category, and fill in the nominee's name, photo, phone number and a few lines on why they deserve it. It takes a couple of minutes and costs nothing. You can nominate yourself, and you can nominate in more than one category.
Approved nominees go to a public vote from 8 November 2026 to 30 November 2026, and the winners are celebrated at the gala on 11 December 2026.
Honouring Kenya’s Next Generation of Changemakers