By Eddah Waithaka
The Standard Group’s Rosa Agutu clinched the top national prize at the OFAB Kenya Media Awards today, celebrating her powerful storytelling on agricultural innovations transforming the nation.
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB-Kenya) hosted the gala luncheon at The Jacaranda Hotel, bringing together leading journalists, scientists, and policymakers to honour excellence in science communication.
Agutu’s impactful television coverage not only won her category but also earned her the prestigious title of Overall Winner.
Upon accepting the award, she emphasized the media’s critical role in demystifying science.“This recognition highlights how powerful storytelling can be in promoting scientific understanding and improving lives,” Agutu said.
“I am committed to making complex research meaningful and relatable to everyday people.”
Dr. Margaret Karembu, Chair of OFAB-Kenya and Director of ISAAA-AfriCenter, praised journalists for maintaining professionalism and a voice of reason, particularly during heated public debates like the one following the 2012 lift on the GMO import ban.
“Journalists provided platforms for experts to clarify facts, dispel myths, and reassure Kenyans that biotechnology offers safe and practical solutions,” Dr. Karembu stated.
She credited strong media collaboration for helping position Kenya among the nine African nations that have commercialized biotech crops, such as the high-yielding, pest-resistant cotton approved in 2019.
The acting CEO of the National Biosafety Authority, Nehemiah Ngetich, applauded the finalists for raising the bar. “You have shown that science journalism in Kenya can be both gripping and accurate,” he said. “Wear this recognition as a responsibility to keep raising the standards for all of us.”
Dr. David Omwoyo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya, stressed the importance of precision in a field where errors can have lasting consequences.
He urged journalists to localize science stories, making them relevant to communities.“If journalists don’t understand scientists, then nobody else will. The conversation ends there,” Omwoyo remarked.
He also hinted that the MCK may soon introduce a dedicated science reporting category in its own annual journalism awards.
The 2025 awards introduced a new digital media category, acknowledging the growing influence of online platforms. An independent panel judged entries on scientific accuracy, originality, and their contribution to public understanding.
By honouring journalists who make complex science accessible, the annual OFAB Kenya Media Awards aim to fuel informed public dialogue and shape a more resilient, knowledge-driven agricultural future for the continent.
