By Cleophas Oluoch,
Milele FM reporter Benjamin Wakoli on Friday scooped the top prize in the radio category in the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB-Kenya) Awards.
The multimedia journalist was overwhelmed with joy after emerging top in the nationwide competition, an award that came with princely Sh75,000 prize money.
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“I thank God for making this journey a reality. The journey started back in 2018 when I received training on farming technology which motivated me to start covering stories, especially on Bt cotton farming. I thank all my editor at Milele FM, Aisha Mohammed, and my colleagues both at the head office and at bureaus for their unmatched support all through this journey”, Wakoli said after receiving the award.
Speaking during this year’s gala at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, OFAB-Kenya chairperson, Dr. Margaret Karembu, said that there is a need for journalists to invest more in educating farmers on the need to embrace technology in farming.
“Kenya has made significant progress towards commercialization of biotech crops with the government approving commercial planting of biotech Bt cotton," Dr. Karembu said.
“The media forms an integral part in the adoption of these improved crops. It sensitizes and educates the public on crop biotechnology hence stimulating dialogue on its effective utilization. The Kenyan media has led from the front in cultivating public awareness on the technology," she added.
The ceremony was also attended by the Industrialisation ministry Chief Administrative Secretary Lawrence Karanja.
