A Coast based radio station Radio Kaya was on Friday crowned the best radio station in the drug reform policy and harm reduction agenda among people who use drugs at the Coast.
Radio Kaya, a Kwale based radio station clinched the award in the first ever Reachout Media Awards organised by Reachout Centre Trust an anti drug lobby in the country.
Led by the Station manager Victor Caleb Ongwena, Mgeni Shaban famously known as ‘Anti-Virus’ on air and Dominick Mwambui matched to the podium to receive the trophy which was handed over to the team by Reachout Executive director Mr. Taib Abdulrahman.
‘Anti-Virus’ who has been hosting a youthful mid-morning show ‘Kaya Flavas’ at Radio Kaya also hosts an advocacy segment on drug use, drug reform policy and harm reduction measures among people who use drugs every Tuesday between 10 and 11 am.
“It’s a program we have been airing since 2013, it was very challenging especially when the needle and syringe program was introduced in the region to curb HIV/AIDS prevalence among people who inject drugs,” she said.
[From Left RCT Officer Mwinyi Abbas, RCT Programs Manager Faizah Hamid Mahfudh, KTN News/Home Reporter Tobias Chanji and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir. Photo/Tom Fondo]
During the Gala dinner award ceremony held at Paris hall at Gulshan area within Mombasa’s CBD which was also graced by Mombasa County Commissioner Evans Achoki, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, the Coordinator HIV and AIDS program-UNODC Regional Office for East Africa Dr. Fayzal Suliman, Radio kaya’s Dominic Mwambui Tsuma also clinched the best radio health feature in the radio category.
Peter Mwangangi formerly of NTV and currently working for the BBC East Africa Bureau in Nairobi clinched the best TV reporter while Mary Malemba Mkongo of the Star Newspaper was crowned the best health reporter in the news paper category.
[BBC’s East Africa Bureau News Anchor and Reporter and Former NTV’s Coast Reporter Peter Mwangangi receiving his recognition from Swahilipot-Hub Board Chair Mr. Mahmoud Noor. Photo/Tom Fondo]
Tobias Chanji KTN News and KTN Home reporter was crowned the overall winner in the Reachout Media Awards 2018 in a glamorous event that was also attended by UNODC Mombasa County Coordinator Dr. Saade Abdallah, Health and Rights programs Manager OSIEA – Mr. Aggrey Aluso, RCT Board Chair and CEO Mombasa Maize Millers Mohammed Islam, Swahilipot-Hub Board Chair and renowned youth mentor Mahmoud Noor among many other dignitaries.
While addressing the participants, Reachout Executive director Mr. Taib Abdulrahman said that the first ever Reachout Media Awards was meant to encourage journalists to venture into health reporting and positively highlight on the steps taken in the drug reform policy and harm reduction measures.
He appealed to journalists to join hands in ensuring the government put more efforts in propagating for drug policy reforms, universal health for all and reduction of harmful effects of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS.
[NACADA Board Member Farida Rashid awarding Radio Kaya’s Dominick Mwambui Tsuma, the winner under the Radio category. Photo/Tom Fondo]
During the award ceremony, VOA’s Amina Chombo and formerly Radio Kaya’s Gender and health reporter became second in the TV category, Winnie Atieno Daily Nation Health reporter was the First runners up in the print category and Solomon Zully of Sauti ya Pwani FM and formerly of Radio Salaam Fist runners up in the radio category.
[The Star Newspaper Health reporter Mary Malemba Mkongo Receiving her Award From Swahilipot-Hub Board Chair Mr. Mahmoud Noor. Photo/Tom Fondo]
All finalists bagged tablets while winners received trophies. KTN News and Home reporter Tobias Chanji who also writes for the Standard Newspaper received a 64 inches Samsung smart TV set.
