EXCLUSIVE: Why Kenyan Writers Have The Power to Change Lives

Kenya has the third highest number of blogs in Africa. It is estimated that there are currently 15,000 created Kenyan Blogs with the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) having 7,000 registered blogs. There are 450 million created blogs worldwide.

With rapid development in internet awareness and penetration, the corporate world has discovered that the internet is the fastest and the most convenient platform to reach out to its target audience.

As more Kenyans plug into the information super highway, blogs are emerging as a source of vital information. Whether it is breaking news, analysis or commentary, blogs are increasingly commanding more authority as alternative sources of information.

Through blogging and social media there is now a second force for reporting. Bloggers are starting to influence mainstream content and opinions on topics ranging from technology, fash0in, sports, politics and many other areas.

With an aim of recognizing excellence amongst bloggers, Airtel Kenya announced that it will sponsor this year’s Kenyan Blog Awards.

The awards seek to reward bloggers that post on a regular basis, have great and useful content, are creative and innovative. These awards represent BAKE’s efforts in the promotion of quality online content creation in Kenya.

This year’s awards themed “Content is King” will bring together various social media users including corporate organizations, celebrities, SMEs, students, county governments, and national government agencies for an evening to celebrate the growth of the Kenya blogging space.

Airtel believes in recognizing and empowering the potential of our youth, Kenyan bloggers have the power to change people’s lives. Their creative contribution to online content generation through different areas of blogging and social media platforms has helped in enhancing knowledge on innovation in the Kenya.

BAKE Kenyan Blog Awards continue to raise the bar for the blogging community and knowledge transfer. The awards started with the submission phase which ended on 18th February enabled individuals to submit their blogs or their favorite blogs.

A group of 5 judges then went through all the bogs submitted and pick the best 5 in each category. It is in the Judging phase that the quality of each blog will play a great role in determining which of the 5 is capable of winning in the voting phase.

Today marks the start of the voting phase where each of the 5 nominees will be required to rally their readers to vote in their favor. In line with the theme this year, we believe that bloggers continue to play a very important role in creation of quality content. 

There is need however to increase coverage in topics such as Agriculture, Health and Education among others from areas that rarely get any coverage.
BAKE and Airtel’s goal is to ensure that the stories from every Kenyan are told. Airtel is committed to the promotion of local Kenyan content.

The awards winners’ gala event is scheduled for May 2nd 2015 from 6pm-10pm.  For more details on the awards plus blogger nominee categories visit www.bake.or.ke