Six Kenyan photographers and videographers have emerged as the inaugural winners of the Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations Capture the Good Challenge, receiving a combined KES 4.5 million for stories documenting transformation in communities across the country.
The winners were announced on September 29, 2026, during an awards ceremony held at Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, marking the conclusion of the five-month nationwide storytelling initiative.
In the photography category, Mathew Meli from Uasin Gishu emerged the overall winner for his work documenting improvements in school infrastructure under the education pillar. Charles Muia from Embu was named first runner-up for his story highlighting the provision of laboratory equipment, while Lameck Ododo from Kericho took second runner-up for his work on the kitting of Kapkatet Football Club.
In the videography category, Kennedy Kamau from West Pokot won the top prize for The Dream of Poriot, which explores the role of proper school infrastructure in education.
David Mutuku from Kajiado was named first runner-up for A Clinic in Kajiado is Helping Bring New Life, a story highlighting the impact of access to medical care. Phillip Otieno from Nairobi took second runner-up for What These Hands Built, which documents a ball-making project supporting economic empowerment in Nairobi.
The overall winners in both photography and videography received KES 1 million each. First runners-up received KES 750,000 each, while second runners-up took home KES 500,000 each.
The challenge, launched in May 2026, invited Kenyan photographers and videographers to document stories of transformation under three themes: education, health and economic empowerment.
It attracted 6,014 applications, with 2,185 participants selected to proceed to the fieldwork stage. A total of 1,155 entries were submitted for judging, with 360 advancing to the regional stage.
The regional phase produced 90 winners, comprising 45 photographers and 45 videographers. These creators then participated in a two-day masterclass led by industry professionals, including photographers, creatives and storytellers Grace Kahaki, Enos Olik, Mbithi Masya and Mutua Matheka.
Following the masterclass, the 90 participants resubmitted their work for the national phase. Eighteen finalists were subsequently shortlisted for public voting, which closed on August 30, 2026, ahead of the final awards ceremony.
Beyond the national prizes, the initiative also recognised regional talent. Thirty Gold winners received KES 100,000 each, while 30 Silver winners received KES 75,000 each and 30 Bronze winners received KES 50,000 each.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the initiative demonstrated the strength of Kenya’s creative community;
“Capture the Good is a showcase of extraordinary talent in Kenya’s creative community and the power of storytelling to bring impact to life. By giving photographers and videographers a platform to showcase their craft, sharpen their skills and tell authentic Kenyan stories, we are not only investing in the growth of our creative economy but also enabling communities to tell their stories of transformation, their own way. We are proud to see these creators use their talent to inspire, connect and shine a light on the good happening across our country,” Ndegwa said.
The challenge was delivered in partnership with the Photographers Association of Kenya (PAK) and the Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), with vivo serving as the mobile photography partner.