NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 28 – Kenyan journalist Enock Sikolia and China’s Han Xu emerged as the 1st prize category awardee winners of the third edition of the Shared Future Photography and Videography Contest 2023, launched by the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.
Sikolia and Xu were awarded cameras worth Sh330,000 for their outstanding contributions.
In the 2nd prize award category, Kenyan Noah Andrew Namwamba, Wang Guansen, and Zhao Qian, all Chinese nationals, secured their positions as awardees and were presented with smartphones worth Sh130,000. This achievement represents a significant recognition of their work.
The contest also featured 3rd prize award winners, including Liang Ying, Chen Xingyu, Noel Mwachala, Jeff Angote, LI Yahui, and An Ying who received smartphones worth Sh80,000 as a token of appreciation for their exceptional contributions.
Among the participants who made it to the finals and received participants’ awards were Jonah Onyango, June Wairegi, Kevin Ochieng, Joseph G Kiige, Sammy Omingo, Li Jiawei, Viola Kosome, Mutahi Chiira, Stephen Juma, Dennis Musungu, and Gabriel Jamal. They were presented with digital devices worth Sh40,000 as recognition for their outstanding work in the competition.
Enock Sikolia’s project, titled “Nairobi Expressway Impact,” particularly resonated with the seven panelist judges, distinguishing him as one of the top winners among numerous video and photo projects submitted by participants during the contest.
During the award ceremony held at the Confucius Institute Nairobi, Enock Sikolia emphasized the importance of keeping Kenyans informed about development projects that stand to benefit them, particularly economically. He spoke about the motivation he drew from observing the construction of the Nairobi Expressway during his daily commute and his commitment to sharing stories of development projects with the people of Kenya.
The annual contest was organized in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of China-Kenya Bilateral Diplomatic Relations and the 10th Anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Its primary aim was to promote traditional friendship between China and Kenya, fostering a deeper understanding of future development projects between the two nations.
Contest participants were required to submit photos and video recordings that highlighted the close economic trade ties between China and Kenya, the profound friendship between the people of Kenya and China through cultural exchange, and the achievements of Kenya-China infrastructure cooperation.
Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Zhang Zhizong, reiterated the Embassy’s commitment to continuing its partnership with the Kenyan government to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
He emphasized the need for ordinary Kenyans to understand the successful development projects achieved through the collaboration of the Kenyan and Chinese governments in the last decade, including the standard-gauge railway (SGR) and the Global Trade Centre Office Tower (GTC).
The contest garnered significant interest and participation from over 300 Kenyan and Chinese nationals living and working in Kenya, highlighting the importance of fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries.
