Tembea Kenya Awards showcased the magic of tourism through photography

Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife speaking during the Tembea Kenya Capture Magical Kenya Photography Awards and Exhibition in Nairobi. Photo by TBK

Kenya’s stunning landscapes, rich‍ culture, and diverse wildlife were celebrated at the Tembea Kenya Capture Magical Kenya Photography Awards and Exhibition in Nairobi. Hosted by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), the event highlighted photography’s vital role in promoting tourism and positioning Kenya as a leading global travel destination.

The award ceremony was graced by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Hon. Rebecca Miano, who hailed photography as an essential tool in repositioning Kenya’s tourism industry. She commended the winners for their outstanding contributions in capturing the country’s diverse tourism offerings and spotlighting unexplored destinations across 31 counties.

“From the photos on display to the entries submitted, there is no doubt that Kenya is a destination oozing mastery of creative imaging and a generous sense of splendor,” said CS Miano.

The competition sought to engage and reward talented photographers who highlight Kenya’s natural beauty and tourism potential. A total of 24 winners across eight categories were honored, with the overall winners taking home Ksh 150,000, first runners-up Ksh 70,000, and second runners-up Ksh 30,000.

The categories covered various aspects of Kenya’s tourism, including wildlife, landscapes, cultural heritage, adventure tourism, urban tourism, and conservation efforts. The event not only recognized professional photographers but also encouraged young creatives to use their skills in promoting domestic tourism.

Beyond celebrating artistic excellence, the event underscored Kenya’s commitment to promoting domestic tourism. Hon. Miano emphasized that youth play a crucial role in redefining tourism and that such competitions help encourage more Kenyans to explore their country.

“Today we are reaffirming our commitment to promote domestic tourism by engaging a new bracket of tourism promoters – our youth. They remain a cornerstone of our tourism sector and crucial catalysts of our nation’s socio-economic wellbeing,” she added.

To enhance tourism diversity, nine new tourism circuits were launched last year, and the Tembea Kenya Photography Competition has been instrumental in bringing these circuits to life.

Miano highlighted that tourism remains a top foreign exchange earner, with the sector generating Ksh 352.5 billion in 2023 and Ksh 142.5 billion in the first half of 2024 alone.

CS Miano urged Kenyans to embrace domestic tourism and explore the country’s vast attractions beyond traditional wildlife safaris. She emphasized the need to capture more facets of Kenya’s diverse landscapes, culture, and urban tourism in future photography contests.

“Photography has a way of capturing more than just moments; it captures emotions, memories, and sometimes, a good chuckle. This contest has whetted the appetite of Kenyans to travel and confirm that the resplendence in these photos is part of Kenya’s heritage,” she noted.

The government is set to strengthen partnerships with county governments to diversify tourism offerings and make travel within Kenya more accessible and affordable.

The Tembea Kenya Capture Magical Kenya Photography Awards and Exhibition was not just a celebration of photography but a reaffirmation of Kenya’s commit