Radio Africa's Damaris Kiilu poses with her Sport Reporting Award at AJEA 2025./BOSCO MARITARadio Africa Group has scooped the sports reporting award at the Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) 2025.
The Star newspaper senior writer and sub-editor Damaris Kiilu scooped the award after she was nominated for the Sports Reporting category.
Kiilu said the win is a testament of hard work and determination.
"I am truly honoured to have emerged the winner in the Sports reporting category. Indeed it’s the Lord's doing. This award is a testament that hard hardwork and determination is key in everything,” Kiilu said.
"Winning this award in sports reporting is a testament to the power of storytelling in journalism. It affirms that dedication, curiosity, and integrity still matter in how we tell stories, stories that impact society. I am truly honoured."
Radio Africa Group's Damaris Kiilu with other winners at the AJEA 2025 Awards in Nairobi on May 16, 2025./BOSCO MARITAThe story that gave Kiilu the prestigious award was about a tennis star rising above disability to change society.
It's the story of Jane Ndenga, whose story begins at the tender age of five, when polio left her paralysed from the waist down. But despite that, she didn't look down upon herself.
The story tells of her journey and how she uses sports as a tool to reach out to children and youths with disabilities in the community.
Kiilu battled it out with fellow media colleagues in their respective categories for the prestigious journalism awards. Another winner in the Sports category was RFI's George Ajowi.Apart from Kiilu, Star newspaper senior writer and sub-editor Bosco Mariita was also nominated for the Gender and Inclusivity Reporting category.
The annual awards seek to recognise courage and commitment of journalists to the collection, investigation and processing of data and information in a professional manner.
They offer an opportunity to showcase the outstanding contributions of journalists from across the country to the Kenyan society and audiences at large.
Damaris vowed to continue working on impactful stories that positively impact society, stating that she is passionate about changing the world through stories.
“I'm deeply honoured to be nominated as a finalist for this award. This recognition is testament to the passion I hold for journalism and the power of storytelling to create meaningful impact in our society. I wish to sincerely thank my bosses, Group Editorial Director Paul Ilado, Digital Editor Francis Mureithi and his deputy Nancy Agutu for their invaluable support and guidance,” Damaris said when she emerged among the finalists.
She also thanked her colleagues and loved ones for the constant encouragement, which she described as instrumental throughout her journey.
The AJEA 2025 was revamped to focus on recognising quality journalism across all platforms.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo highlighted the Council's commitment to rewarding excellence in storytelling irrespective of the medium.
Omwoyo announced new thematic special categories designed to inspire journalists to cover emerging and critical issues.
These included the Tourism Reporting Award, the National Cohesion/Developing Story Award and the Animal Welfare Award.
