IKWA 2026 Awards Gala

Honouring the best female TV news anchor who has demonstrated excellence, credibility, and impactful journalism on national television.

Honouring radio personalities who entertain, inform, and inspire using local Kenyan languages.

Winner

LN

Lydia Nyairabu

Vernacular Radio Personality

7,282 votes

VM

Virginia Mwikali

Vernacular Radio Presenter

6,170 votes

EO

Elizabeth Odada

Radio Personality & Host

579 votes

SK

Shan Kwamboka Risase

Radio Host & Presenter

210 votes

MM

Mzima Mzima (Muthoni wa Wainaina)

Radio Personality, Kikuyu Radio

MM

Mildred Momanyi

Vernacular Radio Host

Recognising foundations and initiatives led by women that have driven measurable, positive change in Kenyan communities.

Celebrating female anchors who bring news to Kenyan communities in local languages, bridging information gaps and preserving cultural identity.

Winner

CM

Caroline Muteti

Vernacular TV Anchor, Mutongoi TV

1,203 votes

GN

Gathoni Nganga

Vernacular TV Anchor, Kameme TV

FK

Fridah Kerubo

Vernacular TV News Anchor

SM

Stahamalla Mwendwa

Vernacular TV Anchor

CT

Cynthia Terer

Vernacular TV News Presenter

EO

Everline Osero

Vernacular TV Anchor

GL

Gladys Lembuch

Vernacular TV Journalist & Anchor

ZM

Zipporah Makamu

Vernacular TV Journalist

Recognising female radio journalists who deliver credible, impactful news in local Kenyan languages.

Celebrating female DJs who are breaking barriers, setting trends, and shaping Kenya's music scene through skill and cultural influence.

Winner

DW

DJ Wiwa

Professional DJ & Entertainment Personality

351 votes

DC

DJ Coco

Professional DJ & Entertainer

20 votes

DS

Deejay Sonnia

Professional DJ & Music Producer

DK

DJ Kezz

DJ, Music Producer & Gospel Artist

DB

DJ Bunney

DJ & Music Entertainer

DL

DJ Lisney

DJ & Creative Artist

Celebrating individuals who have gone above and beyond to uplift their communities through service, advocacy, and grassroots action.

Winner

AN

Alima Nanyama

Community Leader & Social Change Advocate

378 votes

HS

Hillary Semeyan Lenantoiye

Community Advocate & Youth Leader

AN

Agnes Nkanya

Community Champion & Social Welfare Advocate

JN

Jane Nganga

Community Developer & Women's Advocate

Celebrating women who have gone above and beyond to uplift their communities through service, advocacy, and grassroots action.

Winner

JW

Joreen Wanini

Community Leader & Women's Advocate

1,291 votes

HS

Hillary Semeyan Lenantoiye

Community Advocate & Youth Leader

1,281 votes

BI

Branice Indimuli Green

Community Leader & Development Advocate

804 votes

VM

Vianey Muguro

Community Advocate & Women's Champion

414 votes

AN

Avitus Nyambura Ngugi

Community Champion & Social Welfare Advocate

20 votes

BL

Bilha Luseka

Community Champion & Social Advocate

JC

Janet Chemitei

Community Developer & Social Change Agent

GS

Gertrude Spears

Community Champion & Humanitarian

Recognising female media personalities who use vernacular TV to entertain, educate, and uplift their communities.

Winner

DG

Diana Gisoi

Vernacular TV Personality

690 votes

DL

Daisy Langat

TV Presenter & Media Personality

10 votes

C2

Cheche 254

TV Personality & Content Creator

K2

Katumbi 254

Vernacular TV Personality & Content Creator

Celebrating radio personalities whose influence and impact on Kenyan society goes beyond entertainment.

Recognising female DJs who have set the standard for creative mixing and mashup artistry, pushing the boundaries of Kenya's DJ culture.

Recognising female founders and CEOs who are building impactful businesses and leading with vision, resilience, and purpose.

Winner

JW

Jackline Wanjiru

Founder & Business Innovator

2,445 votes

DM

Dorothy Mkunzi

CEO & Women's Economic Empowerment Advocate

2,114 votes

CD

Cathy Daniel

CEO & Business Leader

362 votes

MO

Mana Omar

Founder & Entrepreneur

335 votes

HN

Hannah Njoroge

CEO & Social Entrepreneur

273 votes

JJ

Jackie Jay

Founder & Business Leader

LT

Lily Tanui

CEO & Social Entrepreneur

LK

Lynnette Kinga

Founder & Business Innovator

IO

Immaculate Onyoni

CEO & Entrepreneur

Honouring radio news presenters whose journalism has had the greatest positive impact on public awareness and community welfare.

Celebrating young female leaders under 35 who are driving change in governance, civic engagement, and community development.

Winner

CM

Carolyne Mboya

Youth Women Leader, Kenya

2,596 votes

WN

Winfred Nyanduko Shem

Youth Women Leader, Kenya

2,447 votes

JZ

Jane Zawadi

Youth Women Leader, Kenya

164 votes

EL

Eng. Lucky Muthoki

Youth Women Leader, Kenya

160 votes

EN

Elizabeth N. Maina

Youth Leader & Women's Advocate

152 votes

NM

Njeri Mbogo

Youth Women Leader, Kenya

86 votes

Spotlighting the most exciting emerging female talents across entertainment, performance, and digital creativity in Kenya.

Celebrating young female leaders under 35 who are driving change in governance, civic engagement, and community development.

Celebrating media personalities whose influence transcends their platform and drives positive societal impact across Kenya.

Honouring female students who are leading with courage, integrity, and innovation within their institutions and communities.

Celebrating women who demonstrated exceptional leadership during their student years and have carried that impact into their professional and community lives.

Recognising women whose dedication to environmental conservation, climate action, and sustainability is making a measurable difference in Kenya and beyond.

Honouring women who have championed gender equality, women's rights, and the elimination of harmful practices across Kenyan communities.

Recognising female models who have made a significant impact on Kenya's fashion and creative industry through their professionalism, influence, and representation.

Winner

CM

Corrie Monica

Model, Kenya

1,201 votes

SP

Siteyian Parsimei

Model, Kenya

923 votes

VS

Vivian Star

Model, Kenya

141 votes

ES

Eunie Serene

Model, Kenya

63 votes

RS

Regina Syombua

Model, Kenya

1 votes

AM

Ace Maghanga

Model, Kenya

Honouring female digital content creators who have built influential platforms and used their digital voice to educate, entertain, and empower audiences across Kenya and beyond.

Winner

IA

I Am Kavisa

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

633 votes

HN

Harriet Njenga

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

JM

Joy Mwendwa

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

AW

Annette Wachira

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

NG

Nyandia Gachago

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

AC

Angela Chepkwony

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

NP

Nanae Purity

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

VV

Vickie Vickinah

Digital Content Creator, Kenya

Celebrating female dancers who have pushed creative boundaries and inspired audiences through their artistry, dedication, and cultural expression.

Celebrating female sports content creators who have amplified women's sports through compelling storytelling, commentary, and digital content that grows the game.

Honouring female actresses whose outstanding performances on screen and stage have captivated audiences and elevated the standard of Kenya's film and theatre industry.

Recognising female football coaches who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and technical skill in developing women's football talent in Kenya.

Winner

RM

Ruth Maina

Football Coach, Kenya

1,892 votes

EO

Emily Odinga

Football Coach, Kenya

1,506 votes

MM

Mary Muthoni

Football Coach, Kenya

146 votes

MA

Mary Atieno

Football Coach, Kenya

84 votes

AA

Ann Aluoch

Football Coach, Kenya

10 votes