Fake Fertilizer Docu-Series Earns John Allan Namu International Journalism Award
Investigative journalist John Allan Namu has been named the 2024 winner of the ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award, cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most polished reporters.
According to a press release from the International Centre for Journalists (IFCJ), Namu, a multi-award-winning journalist on both the local and international fronts, received the award alongside Valeriya Yegoshyna, a Ukrainian investigative reporter.
Rana Sabbagh, an investigative editor from Jordan, was honored alongside the two, receiving the 2024 ICFJ Knight Trailblazer Award.
“Undeterred by threats, he has courageously covered numerous public interest stories that have positively impacted people’s lives in Kenya and beyond,” Dickens Olewe, an ICFJ Knight Award judge and program officer for global media partnerships at Gates Foundation stated.
“His reporting demonstrates the essence of ‘journalism as a service’ and has inspired many across the continent.”
🎉 Big news!! Our 2024 @ICFJKnight Awards are going to:
— International Center for Journalists (@ICFJ) June 12, 2024
🇰🇪@johnallannamu, the co-founder of @Afuncensored
🇯🇴@Rana_Sabbagh, the senior MENA investigations editor @OCCRP
🇺🇦@ValeriaEgoshyna, an investigative journalist at @cxemu
More: https://t.co/hdxj3GI4YJ @knightfdn pic.twitter.com/sDB1O6TLqm
While granting him the award, IFCJ described John Allan Namu as an extraordinary storyteller and media innovator who has been at the forefront of investigative journalism in Kenya.
Namu expressed his joy at receiving the award through his official channels and thanked everyone who helped him reach the milestone.
“Very grateful for this honour! Congratulations to Rana Sabbagh and Valeria Yegoshyna as well. To everyone that has supported my work and the work of African Uncensored, asanteni, this shines a light on the incredible work of my colleagues at African Uncensored,” stated Namu.
Award Ceremony
The award winners will be honored on November 14 at the ICFJ’s 40th Anniversary Tribute to Journalists, which will be held in Washington, DC.
Kristen Welker, the moderator of NBC News’ journalism-focused interview show Meet the Press, has been tapped to host the event.
While paying tribute to the three journalists, ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi stated that the scribes have distinguished themselves for their courageous work in exposing abuses of power in places where it is both difficult and dangerous.
“From corruption to war crimes, the outstanding journalism they have done has led to greater accountability and change,” she stated.
Jim Brady, Vice President of Journalism at the Knight Foundation, praised the winners for their willingness to take on challenging and dangerous assignments.
“These brave journalists are risking everything to cover war and corruption in Ukraine, Jordan and Kenya,” he stated.
“We are so thankful for the work they do every day, unveiling truths on the battlefield and exposing government wrongdoing. Knight is proud to support ICFJ in bringing their work to light and giving these amazing journalists the recognition they deserve.”
Distinguished Journalist
John Allan Namu is one of the country’s most decorated journalists, thanks to his impressive body of work.
He has won Kenya’s Annual Journalism Excellence Awards twice: in 2015 and in 2017.
In 2009, the founder of Africa Uncensored was named CNN’s African Journalist of the Year.
Namu was honored internationally in 2019 with the Global Shining Light Award and the Trace International Prize for Investigative Journalism.
Fake Fertilizer Docu-Series Earns John Allan Namu International Journalism Award
