The Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA), in partnership with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Canada, has honoured outstanding journalists from East and Southern Africa for excellence in reporting on health and climate change.
The awards, presented during the inaugural MESHA Health and Climate Change Journalism Awards ceremony held virtually on June 24, celebrated exceptional reporting on the intersection of public health, climate resilience and environmental change across the region. The competition attracted 54 entries from journalists in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Announcing the winners, MESHA said the initiative was established to strengthen science communication standards across Africa and encourage research-based journalism on critical development issues. As a member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and the World Federation of Science Journalists, MESHA noted that the awards are designed to elevate the quality of science reporting on the continent.
MESHA award winners
Kenyan journalist Jackson Okata emerged as the overall winner for his story titled “Sand dams are fighting scarcity and diseases.” Mwanaisha Makumbuli of Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania, was named first runner-up for her report “Mabadiliko ya Tabia Nchi – Ukataji Miti Holela,” while Uganda’s Simon Chris Makanga of Athari Media Support Africa secured the second runner-up position with his story, “Forced Choices – Climate Change Rewriting Women’s Reproductive Choices in Karamoja Subregion Uganda.” Milliam Murigi of Science Africa clinched the third runner-up prize for her feature, “Climate Change Now a Major Public Health Crisis.”
Other finalists and special mentions included Asha Bekidusa and Yvonne Kawira of Willow Health Media, Sammy Waweru of Daily Nation, Kenya, and Christine Ochogo of MESHA, Kenya. Additional commendations were given to Simon Wokorach of Uganda, Philip Muasya of Kenya, Eamon Piringu of Zodiak Broadcasting Station, Malawi, and Patrick Soko of Zambia News and Information Services.
Speaking during the event, MESHA Chief Executive Officer, Aghan Daniel, said the awards were intended to motivate journalists to produce accurate, engaging and impactful stories based on scientific research.
“These awards aim to incentivize and motivate journalists to attend the Media Science Cafes, produce accurate, engaging, and impactful research-based stories,” Daniel said.
Delivering the keynote address, Temesi Mukani, Secretary for Information and Broadcasting in Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology, underscored the crucial role of science journalists in translating complex scientific information into accessible narratives for the public.
“When journalists accurately translate dense, technical data into clear, human-centered narratives, they dismantle misconceptions, build durable public trust, and equip citizens with evidence-based facts necessary to make life-changing decisions,” Mukani stated.
Mukani also urged journalists to mainstream gender issues in reporting on climate change and health, stressing the need to highlight the different ways environmental and public health challenges affect men and women, while showcasing women’s contributions to community resilience.
Media experts Rachel Kibui and Godfrey Ombogo, who led the technical evaluation of entries, commended participants for their use of multiple sources and compelling storytelling in exploring the nexus between climate change, health, gender and culture. However, they noted that many submissions failed to adequately establish the direct link between climate change and health outcomes.
The judges further recommended greater use of data, deeper analysis of issues such as carbon emissions and ocean temperatures, and stricter adherence to ethical guidelines, particularly regarding the protection of minors’ identities.
The event concluded with discussions on digital information ecosystems and changing media consumption patterns, with participants emphasizing the need for ethical journalism to counter misinformation in the digital age. MESHA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting regional newsrooms through institutional support and data-verification infrastructure aimed at strengthening public-interest reporting.
