34 Africans have been nominated for the 2024 The Voice Achievers Award, which is set to be held in Nairobi on August 16, 2024.
Established in the Netherlands in 2012, the award, a project of The Voice magazine, recognizes Africans and friends of Africa for outstanding achievements yearly.
A couple of Kenyans have been featured in the list including Ida Odinga, the wife to Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Other Kenyans on the list include Bishop Pius Muiru, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, Amakove Wala, Kevin Kinengo Katisya, Stephen Ochieng Nyandiare, Rob Conradi-Pamoja Kenya, David Rudisha, Ndungu Nyoro, Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Dr Maxwel Okoth and Blessy Lindiwe Muoki.
“Our awards are presented as recognition not only to successful businesses but also to those that have made a positive impact on their communities and the countries or regions where they operate. We aim to promote sustainable and inclusive growth. We believe that this year’s winners, like those in previous years, have certainly met the challenge and are fulfilling these objectives. We are set to honour true pioneers operating both within and outside Africa, with the hope that they will viewed as inspirations while serving as benchmarks for others to emulate,” Pr Elvis Iru, the publisher of the Voice Magazine, says.
Here’s the full list of the awardees;
1. Stephen Ochieng Nyandiare
Africa Business Excellence Award
In early 2024, Stephen Nyandiare was appointed as a Senior Adviser at the prestigious Climate Change Forum (CC Forum).
He has previously worked as a property business development director, investment consultant, and government relations specialist.
He also served as a senior advisor to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisai Al-Qassimi of the United Arab Emirates’ ruling family in 2022.
He is currently eying the Kisumu Senatorial seat in 2027.
2. Archbishop Jerry Kibarabara
Africa Life Time Achievers Award
According to First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto, Gerrishon (Jerry) Kibarabara played a critical role in the growth of the church in Kenya, especially the Pentecostal movement in the 1970s and 1980s.
“His leadership skills saw him go beyond his denomination to bring together leaders of all backgrounds,” Rachel said in 2023.
3. Fatimah Tagwai Aji
Iconic Woman Leadership Award
A medical professional, Aji was one of the first women to organize the All African First Lady Summit on peace, economic development, and the empowerment of women in Africa.
4. Mama Ida Odinga
Iconic Woman Leadership Award
Ida Odinga is a Kenyan businesswoman, activist and educator. She is the wife of Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya.
Ida is one of the first women to head a major Kenyan company, the East Africa Spectra.
5. Bishop Pius Muiru
Africa Spiritual Leadership Award
Muiru is the founder and leader of the Maximum Miracle Centre Church based in Nairobi.
6. Gladys Wanga
Africa Leadership Excellence Award
Wanga is the current Governor of HomaBay County. She is the first female governor from the western region of the country and among the only seven serving governors elected in 2022.
She previously served as the woman representative of Homa Bay County.
7. Wavinya Ndeti
Africa Governor Award 2024
Ndeti is the current Governor of Machakos County. She previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mavoko Constituency.
8. Ambassador Tareq Ziad al Saif
Humanitarian Excellence Award
Al Saif is the Ambassador at Large of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
9. Lord Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe
Mayor of Banjul, The Gambia
Africa Woman of the Year 2024
Lowe is the First female Mayor of her city, Banjul, The Gambia.
10. Dr Silpah Owich
Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship
Owich is the Head of Women and Youth Banking at Equity Bank Kenya.
11. Dr Johnny Sei-Hoe Hon MH
Excellence Award for Global Relations
Johnny Sei-Hoe Hon is a Hong Kong businessman and politician. He is the founder of the Global Group.
12. Nicky Chakwera
Africa Inspirational Award
A musician and a pastor, Nicky Chakwera is the leader of the Malawi Assemblies of God Church and President Lazarus Chakwera’s son.
He is also the husband of gospel music songbird Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera.
13. Zainab Kessington Momoh
Posthumous Award for Community Service
14. Dr Amakove Wala
Africa Health Care Award
Amakove Wala is a medical practitioner in Nairobi with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare profession and the founder of Wanderlust Diaries.
15. Evans Andrew
Diaspora Man of Excellence Award
Evans Andrew, a mental and digital health specialist is the author of ‘Before The Devil Wakes Up’.
16. Steffi Fernandes
Diaspora Woman of Excellence Award
17. Kevin Kinengo Katisya
Africa Youth Service Award
Katisya, a lawyer by profession, is the current Kitui County Assembly Speaker.
18. Eyram Akua Olympio
Fashion Designer of the Year 2024
19. Rob Conradi -Pamoja Kenya
Africa Special Recognition Award
20. Hellen Tolbert
Africa Fashion Promoter Award
21. Dr Aghan Joshua Oscar
Excellence Award in Technology & Innovation
Oscar is the chief executive officer of Continental Renewable Energy in Kenya. He is also a certified project manager, development and strategic management expert, social business entrepreneur, and lecturer.
22. Dr Joseph Nyaga Njagi
Africa Medical Excellence Award
Njagi is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon with special interest in endometriosis management and research.
23. David Rudisha
Legendary Sports Award
Rudisha, a retired Kenyan middle-distance runner, is the world and Olympic record holder in the 800 metres.
24. Dorothy Attema
Africa Writer of the Year Award
Dorothy Attema is a life coach and the founder of Shebuntu, a transformational group coaching program.
25. Ndungu Nyoro
Affecto Foundation Kenya
Africa Foundation Award
Nyoro is an advocate for education for all and the founder of Affecto Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on nurturing responsible young adults.
26. Jalimadi Kanuteh
Africa Entertainment Award
27. Josaine Umulinga
Africa Courageous Award
Umulinga is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. She is the author of ‘Survived to Forgive’, a book that talks about her journey to healing and forgiveness after the 1994 Genocide.
28. Prince Kudakwashe Bosha
Africa Motivational Award
Bosha, also known as Von, is a renowned Zimbabwean established, award-winning author who wrote one of Zimbabwe’s bestselling novel ‘Mapambano Yangu’.
29. Elias Mokori Obanyi
Africa Media Personality Award
30. Faith Kipyegon
Africa Trailblazer Award
Kipyegon, a Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner, is the current world record holder for the 1,500 metres and mile, and the former world record holder for the 5,000 metres.
31. Beatrice Chebet
Sports Woman of the Year Award
Beatrice Chebet is a long-distance runner who is the world record holder in the 10,000m.
She won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the 5000m and 10,000 m races, becoming the third woman in history to win both events at the same Olympic games.
Goodwill Ambassador Voice Achievers Awards
32. Her Royal Highness, Queen Mother Deli Matsebula
The Voice Goodwill Ambassador
33. Dr Maxwel Okoth
The Voice Goodwill Ambassador
Maxwel Okoth is the founder of Ruai Family Hospital.
34. Blessy Lindiwe Muoki
The Voice Young Goodwill Ambassador
