Veteran journalist John Allan Namu is the 2024 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Knight International Journalism Award winner. He was awarded at the ICFJ headquarters in Washington, DC.
Namu won the prestigious journalism award for his extraordinary work in investigative journalism, exposing corruption and bringing to light how corruption affects the ordinary people in Kenya.
In a heartfelt speech delivered at the award ceremony, Namu credited his success to a concerted effort between himself and the team involved in the production of his stories.
“It is very difficult to give a speech for an award that honours your work. I say this not to be trite or modest, but because over my two decades as a journalist, not one of my stories was solely my work. All were also the work of the cameramen and women, the editors, and the video editors who helped put my stories together. The news anchors who read my leads, and most importantly, the people I spoke to,” said Namu.
Namu grateful to ICFJ International Journalism Awards
He went on to add that he is pleased that the ICFJ Knight International Journalism Awards found his work worthy of recognition on the basis of its theme: producing pioneering news reports or innovations that make a significant impact in their countries despite difficult circumstances.
“The award I am receiving celebrates journalists who despite difficult circumstances, produce pioneering work that makes a significant impact in their countries,” noted Namu.
“I am deeply grateful that my body of work and contributions should be described in such glowing terms. I hope that my work, and the work of Africa Uncensored, continues to live up to this description.”
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It is our job to tell these stories
Namu stated that he is obligated to tell such stories that serve to bring light on the grim aspects of the society. He affirmed his commitment to remaining credible, factual, honest and compassionate throughout his work.
“About those “difficult circumstances:” Our work shines a light on some of the darkest parts of my society—not because I revel in shaming my homeland, but for the opposite reason. Today, in my country, a new generation is saddled with debt they didn’t take on, worn down by corruption, and struggling to make sense of killings and abductions in the wake of nationwide protests. It is our job to tell these stories,” Namu said.
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Namu dedicated the award to his family whom he said had been his greatest motivators and acknowledged his mother’s role in shaping his craft as a storyteller.
Other achievements
In 2015, Namu co-founded Africa Uncensored, an independent media house focused on in-depth investigative journalism.
The platform has exposed notable and critical issues of national interest including an exposé on counterfeit fertilizer, a series on street vendors and an investigation on femicide.
He formerly worked as an i
Besides the 2024 ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award, Namu has won the journalist of the year Annual Journalism Excellence Awards, CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award and the Trace International Prize on investigative journalism.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and integrated studies from the United States International University (USIU). He is married to Sheena Makena and has four children.
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