Citizen Digital Awards 2025: And the winners are…

If 2024 was the year the spark was lit, 2025 was the year the fire settled into a steady, transformative blaze, redefining the relationship between the state and its people.

The year was anchored by the echoes of Gen Z activism, which evolved from spontaneous street protests into a structured, digital-first political force. 

A lot happened after that. From the tragic death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody in June, which reignited nationwide demonstrations, to the historic October passing of opposition titan Raila Odinga, Kenya’s political landscape has been seismically shifted, with the President scrambling to assert dominance and the two leading parties ODM and UDA constantly engaging in vicious political wars.

This was a year defined by seismic political shifts, heart-wrenching goodbyes, and the relentless pulse of youth-led defiance. It was also a year when Kenyan creatives stood tall, emerged from the shadows, broke records and reached unfathomable heights. 

It was a year that most Kenyans, especially online, say they wish to forget - it came with financial struggles, mass layoffs, domestic upheavals, a biting cash crunch and a rising inability to meet economic demands.

A lot of Kenyans, events, players, artists, politicians, everyday folk and general people helped shape the year. They did outstanding things, appeared in historic places, performed audacious tasks, made big blunders, released record-breaking hits and achieved groundbreaking feats.

And so as the year closes down today, Citizen Digital presents: The Citizen Digital Awards 2025.

Story of the Year - Raila Odinga death

After the news reached Kenya that the opposition stalwart had died in India, the nation's heartbeat stopped. Everyone was shocked into a cold freeze. The morning commute was engulfed in a blanket of trepidation and tears. It was callous news. Sections of the country broke into unprecedented mourning.

The President rushed to assemble his troops. Raila's Karen home was flung open. Thousands poured in, helplessly at a loss. Websites crashed under the weight of the news. Morning TV hosts stared blankly into the camera. Confusion struck the nation. Kenya's 'Baba' was no more. Kenya's politics took a deafening hit. It was a pain felt by not just humans - but animals too.

Event of the Year - Raila State burial

While Kenya experienced quite a number of noteworthy events, from the political to the entertainment world, Raila’s State burial easily takes the cake. It was attended by virtually the entire Kenyan political class. Figures like Kenneth Marende, who had not been seen in years, were now seated behind President William Ruto.

Dignitaries flew in from around the world. A Tanzanian politician was arrested while attempting to attend the burial. The entire nation watched the proceedings live on TV. Stately tributes flowed. Nyanza was struck by a lightning of shocking horror. Kenya stopped to send off a man who did so much for her, like the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution. It will be an event few will forget easily.

Politician of the Year - Rigathi Gachagua

Many assumed that the man who was impeached towards the end of 2024 would easily and shamefully retreat to the backwaters and lose all relevance. They were wrong. Rigathi Gachagua remained the hottest politician of the year. He attended events that were marked with drama and violent suppression from the State. He weathered insurmountable storms. He stood up to the President in audacious ways. He launched a political party. He became the people's darling. He did groundbreaking interviews. He was the hottest and most attractive political figure in the opposition fold. He, maybe, still is.

Tragic Loss of the Year - Albert Ojwang

In June, Albert Ojwang, a school teacher, would be killed while in police custody at Nairobi's Central Police Station. Soon after the news of his death hit the internet, the nation erupted. Anger was unleashed in unprecedented levels. X (Twitter) crashed under the weight of searing rage. The country sank into levels of wrath that couldn't be contained. A day or two later, the streets were flooded. Everyone, from across the country, demanded answers. Blood was shed. More killings followed. Kenya was at the brink of actual collapse. An innocent teacher had been murdered in cold blood. Right in the police cells.

Public Enemy of the Year - Eliud Lagat

After Ojwang's killing, Kenyans would learn that the man alleged to be at the center of what began it all was Eliud Lagat, the current Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service. It was Lagat who had complained of a tweet made by Ojwang. And then, an arrest followed. And then a killing. 'Lagat Must Go' was the biggest rallying cry of the Year. Even bigger than Ruto Must Go. Everyone wanted Lagat relieved of his duties. From the internet, to the TV, to the street alleys, Lagat was Kenya's Public Enemy Numero Uno. Many wanted his blood. And wanted it badly.

Moment of the Year - RAO001

The Kenya Airways plane, dubbed RAO001, that flew Raila’s body from India to Kenya, became the most tracked plane in the world. A government contingent was sent to pick up the body - and leading journalists followed it to India and back.

Right at JKIA, thousands of mourners poured into the airport, breaching security protocol, to welcome Raila’s body home. Some even tried climbing into the plane by scaling the fuselage. It was chaotic. It was unprecedented. The trip to Kasarani stadium too was one for the books. And then gunshots followed at the stadium. Pandemonium set in. The viewing of the body was delayed for hours. It was a moment, for sure.

Documentary of the Year - #BloodParliament

The BBC documentary highlighting the historic storm of Parliament by the Kenyan Gen Z during the June 25, 2024 demonstrations rocked the country. The government moved to dispel the piece. Press conferences were made. Names in high places were mentioned. Kenyans got to learn, from a meticulously produced documentary, how their compatriots died at the hands of trained snipers. Reactions flooded the internet. Everyone had something to say about the unparalleled BBC piece.

Commemoration of the Year - Saba Saba Riots 

In July 7, hundreds of thousands of Kenyans poured onto the streets across the country in commemoration of the 1990 demonstrations calling for democratic reforms in Kenya. Unlike the previous years, the 2025 Saba Saba Day demonstrations were ugly, bloody, dangerously violent, deadly and cloaked in wanton destruction. Shops were looted. Businesses were razed. Supermarkets were vandalized. A lot happened. A lot. 

Rebel of the Year - Samidoh

The Mugithi prince continued to ruffle feathers by doing what would be unexpected of a police officer. Even after numerous warnings, he would still appear in concerts singing pro-Gachagua tunes. Fearlessly, for a police officer, he would lead the crowd into chanting 'Wantam!' an obvious dig at his commander, President William Ruto. Even after he was threatened with a transfer, and numerous warnings, he still remained undefiant. In fact, tired of everything, he left the country for an American sojourn. Not sorry, just sassy.

Artist of the Year - Toxic Lyrikali

We were going to give the award to Bien Aime Baraza, a man who has continued to scale the heights musically, release 'All My Enemies Are Suffering' and also appear on the historic Breakfast Club. But Toxic Lyrikali somehow took the spot. After years of bubbling in the underground, 2025 was the Year he finally became a superstar. He was in-demand. He was the year's hottest ticket. His performances were drenched in euphoria. He wowed the country with his smash hit 'Backbencher'. He massively broke Spotify records. He stood taller than anyone. And remained unfazed about it all.

Viral Clip of the Year - 'Pelekea Ruto, takataka!'

CNN journalist Larry Madowo was on his usual Nairobi errands when Kibra MP Peter Orero's vehicle blocked his path in one of Nairobi's chaotic traffic encounters. Cornered, the cantankerous lawmaker expressed no remorse as he and his driver lashed out at Larry. Calling him names and goading him to share the clip with President Ruto. Instantly, the clip was unimaginably viral. The driver would soon be arraigned in court. And the moment immortalised as the embodiment of the rotten Kenyan leadership.

Tragedy of the Year - Kisumu-Kakamega Highway Accident

The Kisumu-Kakamega bus tragedy occurred on August 8, 2025, when a bus carrying mourners from a funeral overturned at the Coptic roundabout in Mamboleo, Kenya, killing at least 25 people, including women, men, and a baby, with many more injured. The incident led to widespread national grief, calls for better road safety, and the eventual destruction of the roundabout by unknown individuals. Harrowing tales by grief-stricken families of the bereaved haunted the nation for weeks.

Controversy of the Year - Ritz Carlton Masaai Mara Camp

The luxury hotel, built around the Maasai Mara ecosystem, and said to interfere with the wildebeest migratory corridors, became the most controversial project with many stakeholders, activists, everyday Kenyans and foreign agitators rebuking the hotel's developers for the blatant interference with migration routes, wildfire existence and the general Mara ecosystem. Both the Kenya Wildfire Service (KWS) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), released statements in defense of the project. Still, the controversy looms.

School Play of the Year - Echoes of War

Politician Cleophas Malala's school play Echoes of War, performed by Butere Girls, became such a hot topic, the Kenyan government, for the first time in decades, was seen to be staging an all-out war with teenagers. Attempts to block the play from being staged culminated in dramatically violent scenes in Nakuru as teargas was lobbed to disperse students, with Malala getting arrested, politicians pouring into Nakuru, students staging boycotts and the police engaging the teen creatives in wild street battles across Nakuru. Still, the play prevailed. And the girls carried the day.

Song of the Year - Donjo Maber

Standing at a staggering 19 million views in just 5 months, 'Donjo Maber' easily became Kenya's biggest song of 2025. It rocked the airwaves. Dominated charts. Featured on all DJ mixtapes. Towered high on TikTok. Rocked the dancefloors. Played ceaselessly at house parties. Rattled all generations and became a significantly outstanding hit, enjoyed by all, danced to by millions. A seminal hit by serial hitmaker Iyanii and Dufla Diligon.

Comeback of the Year - Dufla Diligon

This gruff-voiced dancehall ace started off a decade ago with Grandpa Records before he disappeared into the shadows, forgotten and ignored. His attempts to stage musical comebacks serially proved futile, turning him into a rambling content creator, alongside KRG the Don. And then 'Donjo Maber' happened. And after that, 'Rumors.' Kenyans immediately sat up and started listening again. Dufla Diligon, everyone realized, still possessed the same magical dancehall talent. He just needed to get serious. And team up with the right collaborator. Now, the former herdsman is riding high - by the masterful growl of his signature grunt.

Viral TikTok Sound - 'Faya si Faya, Noma si Noma!'

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki effortlessly kept the country entertained with his on-stage antics, especially with the random slogans he would conjure up right at the podium, leaving the masses in hysterics.

'Faya si Faya!' was Kindiki's go-to slogan: It was the DP's attempts to sound tough and efficient, using Gen Z language to counter the Gachagua wave and declare his dominance. It worked. Brilliantly. The sound was used hundreds of thousands of times on TikTok. It became the DP's defining signature. And he abused its effectiveness shamelessly.

Wedding of the Year - Prince Indah and Winnie Nyar Migori

In my article profiling the wedding, I wrote in part: "He was backed by a battalion of Nairobi's most showy gentlemen, the type who live excessively and evoke an air of sheer imperiousness. Indah would slide off a sheeny Jeep as his boys crowded around, dressed to the nines and beaming in their sharp haircuts, designer sunglasses and gilt walking sticks....a luxurious affair coated with eye-popping expenditure, meticulous planning, intricate directing and a savvy guest list." End of story.

Rookie of the Year - David Munyua

The Kenyan darts wizard shocked the world at the World Darts Championship with his unexpected and dramatic run to the second round. He would again live another dream as he visited Stamford Bridge to watch his beloved Chelsea for the first time. Munyua, who had previously never left Africa and took a break from his job as a veterinarian in Kenya to compete at Alexandra Palace, produced the shock of the Championship by defeating 18th seed Mike De Decker in the opening round. What a Rookie! What a year for Munyua!

East African Story of the Year - Tanzania Election Day riots

Long believed to be meek and politically docile, Tanzanians shocked the world after hitting the streets on October 29, pouring out in their thousands, making their voices heard and setting the nation ablaze - both figuratively and literally. For days, Tanzania burned. Thousands would also be killed in a mass slaughter of citizens as the nation was slapped with a long running internet blackout and unprecedented censorship by the Samia Suluhu administration. Hell, in Bongo land, truly broke loose.

TikTok Story of the Year - Kaluma Boy

After wowing his followers with his selfless dedication to his ailing dad, teen TikToker Kaluma Boy, a Nyeri-based village kid with a burning passion for his sick dad and a daily tea-picking hustle, miraculously managed to pull tens of thousands of Kenyans to their humble home in Nyeri for a one-of-a-kind fundraiser that saw thousands travel in buses, motorbikes, private cars and fuel guzzlers to help raise funds for a young boy who had won their hearts, captured their imagination and left a lasting impact on the power of humanity.

Honorable Mentions - VARIOUS

Several various people, influential figures, moments, news items and events helped shape 2025 by way of powerful impact and the lasting effect they had on Kenyans. These include: Betty Bayo's death, Njerae's continued Spotify success, Sol Fest at Uhuru Gardens, Truphena Muthoni's 72 hour tree-hugging record, Raila's Kango ka Jaramogi pilgrimage and more.

Happy New Year, dear reader! Let's continue to create memorable moments and profoundly impactful feats in 2026!