KTN reporter scoops CNN award

By James Ratemo

The Standard Group has done it again.

KTN reporter, John-Allan Namu has won the coveted CNN MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year Award.

John-Allan Namu

It was joy, dance and jubilation at a Gala ceremony in the International Convention Centre, Durban where his colleagues, John Benson Mwangi, a senior video-journalist with KTN, and James Moturi Mogaka, also bagged an award each.

The trio was among 25 finalists from 12 countries picked for the prestigious awards.

"I feel immensely honoured. I never thought this would happen. This goes to show anyone from any walk of life can stand among giants," said Namu after receiving the top prize in CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2009 Awards on Saturday in South Africa.

Namu won for his stories 'In the shadow of the Mungiki' and 'Inside Story: Scars and Sufurias', which were chosen from among 1665 entries from 38 nations across the African continent.

Namu was one of 25 finalists at the Awards ceremony on Saturday evening and was a winner in two categories, the Television News Award and Television Features Award.

This is a first in the history of the competition where the top winner scoops two awards.

A senior cameraman with KTN, John Benson Mwangi co-won the Television - General News - News Bulletin Award with John-Allan Namu for the well packaged

Another KTN cameraman James Moturi Mogaka also bagged the Television - General News - Feature/Current Affairs Award with Namu for the story In the Shadow of the Mungiki.

In arriving at the decision to award the duo, the judge said:

The Awards, which rotate location each year in tribute to their pan-African credentials, returned to South Africa in 2009 and were held at a Gala ceremony hosted by CNN and MultiChoice at The International Convention Centre, Durban on Saturday.