Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations honored six Kenyan photographers and videographers as the inaugural winners of the Capture the Good Challenge, awarding a total of Sh4.5 million for their narratives on community transformation. The initiative, launched in May 2026, aimed to amplify stories of progress in education, health, and economic empowerment through visual storytelling. Mathew Meli of Uasin Gishu county won the photography category for his work on school infrastructure improvements, while Kennedy Kamau from West Pokot claimed the videography top prize for a documentary on educational infrastructure. The winners, along with runners-up, received Sh1 million, Sh750,000, and Sh500,000 respectively, as part of the five-month nationwide competition that attracted 6,014 applications.
The challenge, which concluded with an awards ceremony in Nairobi, selected 2,185 participants for fieldwork after an initial call for entries. Of the 1,155 submissions, 360 advanced to the regional stage, producing 90 winners—45 photographers and 45 videographers—who later participated in a two-day masterclass led by industry experts. Finalists then competed in public voting, with results announced on August 30, 2026. Beyond national prizes, 30 regional Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners each received Sh100,000, Sh75,000, and Sh50,000 respectively. The program, executed with the Photographers Association of Kenya (PAK) and Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), emphasized grassroots storytelling to highlight Kenya’s developmental strides.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa emphasized the initiative’s role in fostering Kenya’s creative economy and amplifying community voices. “By providing a platform for storytellers to showcase their craft, we invest in the growth of our creative sector and enable communities to share their transformation stories authentically,” he stated. The challenge’s focus on education, health, and economic empowerment underscored its alignment with national development goals, while its emphasis on local perspectives aimed to counteract narratives of systemic challenges. Regional recognition through gold, silver, and bronze awards further incentivized participation across Kenya’s diverse communities.
The Capture the Good Challenge, supported by mobile photography partner Vivo, highlighted the power of visual media to document and inspire change. By spotlighting initiatives like improved school infrastructure, medical access, and economic projects, the program not only celebrated individual talent but also amplified stories that reflect Kenya’s resilience and innovation. With its blend of competition, mentorship, and public engagement, the initiative set a precedent for future efforts to harness storytelling as a tool for social impact and national cohesion.