Farmbizafrica journalist voted best in East Africa

Farmbizafrica lead Journalist Bob Koigi was recently announced the best Journalist in East Africa in the Agriculture and Food security category at a colourful ceremony in Kigali Rwanda graced by Rwanda Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, and EAC Secretary General Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera.

Bob Koigi's story beat over 120 entries. His story was about the revolutionary plant clinics which were set up two years ago in Kenya to assist farmers in identifying the diseases that ail their crops and offer immediate interventions.

The plant clinics have since moved to take a bigger role of surveillance at Kenya’s border points to prevent the spread of plant diseases into Kenyan farms from neighbouring countries. This groundbreaking project is now becoming a model that other East African Nations have expressed interest in adopting.

Speaking after receiving the award Koigi said he was completely overwhelmed adding that the award gave him zeal to keep telling the Kenyan story.

“I want to thank my wonderful Managing Editor Ms Jenny Luesby for walking with me through this journey. It hasn't been easy trying to prove that Kenyan agribusiness sector is the next big investment vehicle. But they say my people perish because of lack of knowledge. I felt there was need to bring the information to everyone and let them make an informed choice. I have seen ordinary people turned millionaires after embracing new age farming. I wish everyone would follow suit. Its such an honour telling the success stories of Kenya's new age farmers, and I never want to stop,” Koigi said.

The chief guest at the Awards Gala Rt. Hon. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi lauded the EAC Secretariat and EABC for introducing the Awards which he said will promote wide awareness and stimulate popular participation in the regional integration process.

He challenged the media to “open up a candid and powerful conversation and frank exchange of views and opinions on how best we can all rise to the challenge of promoting a more robust citizen participation in the EAC integration”.

Twelve contestants had been nominated for the final round of the 2nd EAC Media Awards by an independent Panel of Judges in July, making the cut in a competitive process that had originally attracted 59 journalists submitting over 120 entries for eight Award categories. This year’s Awards had grown in size from last year’s four categories, and for the first time attracted entries from Burundi.

Kenya bagged 5 of the 8 awards with the other winners being George Omondi from Business Daily, Abby Agina from NTV and Wanjohi Kabukuru of the Diplomat magazine.

The awards were jointly organised by the EAC Secretariat and EABC.

They were sponsored by Trade Mark East Africa, Inter University Council for East Africa, BRALIRWA, Nakumatt, EcoBank, Serena Hotel, and Association of Freight Forwarders (ADR).

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