The 2026 ETA Awards KE were held over the weekend, bringing together personalities, creatives, entrepreneurs, community leaders and professionals from different sectors to celebrate achievement and excellence across Kenya.
The awards recognise individuals and organisations making an impact in areas including entertainment, leadership and governance, business, community service and creative industries.
Under its mandate to “identify, recognize and award the best in different fields,” ETA Awards KE seeks to showcase what it describes as the “Greats of Kenya” and celebrate their contribution to the country's development through their respective fields.
The 2026 edition featured a diverse list of winners spanning music, media, digital content, fashion, business, agriculture, education, community development and leadership.
Among the notable winners was Mondy G, who took home the Male Artist of the Year award, while Maureen Tabs was named Female Artist of the Year.
AIC Athiriver Choir won Group of the Year, while Mc OG was recognised as MC of the Year. In the media and digital space, Mc Raph 254 of U FM won Radio Host of the Year, while Tribe 18 took the Podcast of the Year award.
The creative industry also featured prominently, with Mentor Francis winning Photographer of the Year, Nachi Fashion House taking Fashion Designer of the Year, and Tempire Records receiving the Audio Producer of the Year award.
Digital creators and personalities were also recognised, with Little Mwikali winning Influencer of the Year, Trudy Kitui taking Digital Creator of the Year, and The Michuki's-Minister Peshi winning TikTok Personality of the Year.
Another notable recognition went to Abwaan Mohamed, Founder of Elmi Diisow Academy, who was named CEO of the Year. The recognition comes as part of his journey spanning education, entrepreneurship, Somali poetry, literature, journalism and cultural advocacy.
In the community and social impact categories, Harshgrill received the Community Impact Award, while Southside Kings CBO won the Social Impact Award. Moran Farms was recognised with the Agriculture and Food Security Award, highlighting the range of sectors represented at this year's awards.
The recognition categories also brought together personalities from entertainment, business, public service, media, culture and community development.
Among those recognised was H.E. Governor Wavinya Ndeti EGH, who received the Most Outstanding Public Service and Community Transformation Award-Kenya.
H.E. Hon. Francis Mwangangi received the Excellence in Devolution Leadership Award, while Hon. Kimani Ngunjiri was recognised with the Peace Building Champion and Political Advocacy Award.
In the arts and entertainment space, Nadia Mukami received the East Africa Artist of the Year recognition, while Caroline Muthoka was named Diaspora Artist of the Year.
Other recognition awards celebrated contributions in gospel music, cultural preservation, family law, technology, customer service, recruitment, travel, business networking and disability inclusion.
The full list of winners and recognition recipients from the 2026 ETA Awards KE is as follows:
2026 Voting Categories
Male artist of the year-Mondy G
Female artist of the year-Maureen Tabs
Group of the year-AIC Athiriver Choir
Group of the year-Joyce Semayian
MC of the year-Mc OG
Photographer of the year-Mentor Francis
Influencer of the year-Little Mwikali
Talent to watch-Princess Kendra
TV Host of the year-Mc Reagan Dosi Wa Mic-TV Magharibi
Radio Host of the year-Mc Raph 254-U FM
Podcast of the year-Tribe 18
Female Deejay of the year-Deejay Wardah
Male Deejay of the year-Dj Jeorges
Audio Producer of the year-Tempire Records
Fashion Designer of the year-Nachi Fashion House
Community Impact Award-Harshgrill
Youth in Business Award- Party Strike Décor and Events
CEO of the Year Award- Abwaan Mohamed- Founder, Elmi Diisow Academy
Social Impact Award-Southside Kings CBO
Tiktok Personality of the Year- The Michukis- Minister Peshi
Digital Creator of the year-Trudy Kitui
Agriculture and Food Security Award-Moran Farms
Digital Journalist of the year-SSTV Kenya
Kenya Rising Artist of the year-Paul Lais
2026 Recognition Categories
1. Hon. Syombua Kioko- Community Empowerment Champion Award
2.Jk forex Academy (Sonkoke)-Best mentor of the year.
3. Averdex Staffing Limited-Recruitment Agency of the Year.
4. Sparkling Express- Youth-led enterprise of the year.
5. Ev. John Kay-Most Inspiring Kamba Gospel Artist
6. Stella Mengele-The Kamba Gospel Matriarch Award
7. Stephen Kasolo-Most Influential Kamba Gospel Artist
8.Gakunju Phillip F.-Excellence in family law and conveyancing.
9.DJ Mo1-Most consistent Deejay; Maa Cultural Arts
10.Kaewa Superstars-New Generation Benga Band Eastern Kenya
11.Nadia Mukami-East Africa Artist of the year
12. H.E. Governor Wavinya Ndeti EGH-The Most Outstanding Public Service and Community Transformation Award-Kenya
13. H.E Hon. Francis Mwangangi-Excellence in Devolution Leadership Award.
14. Hon. Kimani Ngunjiri-Peace Building Champion and Political Advocacy Award.
15. Mutongoi Tv-The Media Excellence in Cultural Preservation Award
16. Kibomet Limited - Kibo Water-Best Customer Service Experience.
17. Pekima Connections-Excellence in Mobile Technology and Customer Service Award
18. The CEO’s Forum-Business Networking & Connections Excellence Award
19. Xhale Travel-Corporate Travel Excellence Award
20. Muthusi Samson Muoma-Outstanding Administrative Leadership & Executive Support Award.
21. Caroline Muthoka-Diaspora Artist of the Year.
Dr.David Ole Sankok-Disability Inclusion Champion
