Six Kenyan Creatives Win Sh4.5M in Capture the Good Challenge [Details]

Six Kenyan photographers and videographers have walked away with a combined Sh4.5 million after capturing stories of transformation from communities across the country.

The creatives were recognised at the inaugural Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations Capture the Good Challenge awards ceremony held at Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi.

The five-month nationwide competition challenged photographers and videographers to document the impact of initiatives touching on education, health and economic empowerment.

Meet the six national winners

In the photography category, Mathew Meli from Uasin Gishu emerged as the overall winner for documenting improvements in school infrastructure under the education pillar.

Charles Muia from Embu was named first runner-up for his story highlighting the provision of laboratory equipment, while Lameck Ododo from Kericho took second runner-up for documenting the kitting of Kapkatet Football Club.

The videography category saw Kennedy Kamau from West Pokot take the top prize for The Dream of Poriot, a story highlighting the role of proper school infrastructure in supporting education.

David Mutuku from Kajiado was named first runner-up for A Clinic in Kajiado is Helping Bring New Life, which focuses on the impact of access to medical care.

Meanwhile, Phillip Otieno from Nairobi took second runner-up for What These Hands Built, a story documenting a ball-making project aimed at promoting economic empowerment.

The overall winners in both categories received Sh1 million each.

The first runners-up received Sh750,000 each, while the second runners-up walked away with Sh500,000 each.

From 6,014 applications to six winners

The challenge, which was launched in May, attracted 6,014 applications from across Kenya.

Of those applicants, 2,185 participants progressed to the fieldwork stage, submitting 1,155 entries for judging.

A total of 360 entries then advanced to the regional stage, resulting in 90 winners — 45 photographers and 45 videographers.

The finalists were subsequently taken through a two-day masterclass led by industry professionals including photographers and creatives Grace Kahaki, Enos Olik, Mbithi Masya and Mutua Matheka.

The 90 participants then resubmitted their work for the national phase, with 18 finalists eventually shortlisted for public voting.

Voting closed on August 30 before the national winners were unveiled at Tuesday’s awards ceremony.

Regional creatives also recognised

The competition also recognised talent at the regional level.

A total of 30 Gold winners received Sh100,000 each, while 30 Silver winners received Sh75,000 each.

Another 30 Bronze winners received Sh50,000 each.

This brought the competition’s recognition beyond the six national winners, giving creatives from different parts of Kenya an opportunity to benefit from the initiative.

Safaricom’s message to creatives

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the initiative was designed to give Kenyan creatives a platform to showcase their talent while documenting positive change happening in communities.

“Capture the Good is a showcase of extraordinary talent in Kenya’s creative community and the power of storytelling to bring impact to life,” Ndegwa said.

He added that the initiative was also intended to contribute to the growth of Kenya’s creative economy by allowing photographers and videographers to tell authentic stories of transformation.

The challenge was implemented in partnership with the Photographers Association of Kenya (PAK) and the Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), with vivo serving as the mobile photography partner.

At its core, Capture the Good focused on everyday stories of change — from better schools and improved access to healthcare to projects creating economic opportunities for communities.

For the creatives involved, the competition offered more than a cash prize. It provided a platform to turn stories happening in communities across Kenya into visual narratives that could reach a much wider audience.