Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations fete inaugural impact storytelling winners

Six Kenyan photographers and videographers have emerged as the inaugural winners of the Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations Capture the Good Challenge, taking home a combined Ksh.4.5 million for their compelling stories of transformation from communities across the country.

In the photography category, Mathew Meli from Uasin Gishu emerged the overall winner for his work capturing improvements in school infrastructure under the education pillar. Charles Muia from Embu was named first runner-up for his story on the provision of laboratory equipment, while Lameck Ododo from Kericho took second runner-up for his work highlighting kitting Kapkatet Football Club.

In the videography category, Kennedy Kamau from West Pokot took the top prize for The Dream of Poriot, a story on the place 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, which highlights the impact of access to medical care, while Phillip Otieno from Nairobi was named second runner-up for What These Hands Built, which captures a ball-making project, an economic empowerment initiative in Nairobi.

The overall winners in both categories received Ksh.1 million each, with the first runners-up taking home Ksh.750,000 each and the second runners-up Ksh.500,000 each.

The awards ceremony held at Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi marked the conclusion of the five-month nationwide Capture the Good Challenge, which sought to spotlight everyday stories of change in Kenyan communities, as told by any Kenyan with a lens.

“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,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

The nationwide challenge, launched in May 2026 by Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations, invited storytellers to document stories of transformation through photos and videos,  themed under education, health and economic empowerment.

The challenge 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, from which 360 entries advanced to the regional stage.

The regional phase produced 90 winners, comprising 45 photographers and 45 videographers. The finalists subsequently participated in a two-day masterclass led by industry professionals, including photographers, creatives and storytellers Grace Kahaki, Enos Olik, Mbithi Masya and Mutua Matheka, among others.

Following the masterclass, the 90 participants resubmitted their work for the national phase, with 18 finalists shortlisted for public voting. Voting closed on August 30, 2026, before the winners were unveiled at the awards ceremony.

Beyond the national prizes, the challenge also recognised regional talent, with 30 Gold winners receiving Ksh.100,000 each, 30 Silver winners receiving Ksh.75,000 each and 30 Bronze winners receiving Ksh.50,000 each.

Capture the Good was delivered in partnership with the Photographers Association of Kenya (PAK) and the Photojournalists Association of Kenya (PJAK), and with vivo as the mobile photography partner.