JSAK 2026 Media Awards Celebrate Emerging Student Journalists at University of Embu
By Sallo Gobana
The Journalism Students Association of Kenya (JSAK) held its 2026 Media Awards on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the University of Embu, bringing together journalism and communication students from different universities to celebrate talent, creativity and excellence in student journalism.
The awards provided a platform for student journalists to showcase their work, interact and network with fellow media students and professionals, and receive recognition for their contribution to campus journalism. JSAK has increasingly positioned itself as a platform for networking, professional development and advocacy for quality journalism education among students.
The event brought together students from different universities, including Kenya Methodist University (KEMU), Chuka University, Zetech University, Meru University and the University of Embu, which hosted the event. The gathering created an opportunity for students from different institutions to exchange ideas and experiences in journalism and media production.
The event featured various activities, including speeches, panel discussions, networking sessions, performances and award presentations. Students were recognised in different categories for their work and creativity.
Among the award categories were feature stories, social media storytelling, short films and documentaries, and podcasts, with winners receiving awards in each category.
One of the key moments of the event was the award presentation ceremony, where students were recognised for their work. The ceremony generated excitement among the participants, with students from different universities cheering for their fellow students as they received their awards.
At Chuka university, we had our own students who partcipated during the competition and won awards . We have Oyanda Otieno who won a gold medal and a certificate for being the best in the category of use of social media for storytelling, Onyango Denish who won a silver medal and a certificate for becoming the second best in short films and documentaries category, Soitah junior Gilisho who was awarded a bronze medal for second position on news reporting category. Joseph Songa who was elected as the Chuka Chapter representatives for chuka university.
The winners expressed their appreciation for the recognition, while chapter representatives from different universities were also awarded. The JSAK team that organised the event was also recognised for its efforts in making the event successful.
Journalists and media professionals who attended the event shared their perspectives on the importance of giving students opportunities to practise journalism before entering the professional industry. Students also shared their experiences from different universities and discussed the journalistic work they are involved in both within their institutions and individually.
For many student journalists, the awards were more than a competition. The event provided an opportunity to meet other young journalists, learn from professionals and appreciate the work being done by media students across the country.
The atmosphere at the University of Embu was marked by excitement, anticipation and celebration as students from the invited universities participated in the event.
For students, JSAK Media Awards come at a time when student journalism continues to provide an important training ground for aspiring reporters, editors, presenters, photographers and digital content creators. Through such platforms, students can gain practical experience, build professional networks and receive feedback on their work.
The event also reflected the growing role of student media in developing young journalists who are expected to work in an industry increasingly shaped by digital platforms, multimedia storytelling and changing audience habits.
JSAK's other activities, including its 2026 Media Students Summit and national fact-checking boot camp, similarly focus on connecting students with skills and conversations relevant to the future of media.
As the event came to an end, attention also turned to the upcoming JSAK elections, which were discussed as another important stage in shaping the association's future leadership and activities. Every student who is willing to vie for any position at JSAK was invited to do so.
The awards therefore ended not only as a celebration of students' achievements but also as a reminder that the future of journalism is being shaped in universities today. The recognition given to student journalists at the University of Embu demonstrated the value of creating spaces where emerging journalists can learn, compete, network and grow together.
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