Star Journalist Martin Mwita feted at regional Maritime awards

The Star newspaper Business Reporter Martin Mwita was feted in the just concluded East Africa Maritime annual award ceremony.

Mwita was the First runner up in the Maritime Journalist of the Year Award.

“I am grateful for the recognition because I am very sure that every other nominee for this award was as capable if not more, of winning this award. But all I would say in general is consistency pays,” said Mwita.

"I owe it to everyone who has supported and continues supporting me in the industry from business desk team, family, company, sources and all industry players." 

Chief Editor for Freight Logistics magazine Githua Kihara won the Maritime Journalist of the Year Award.

Former Star reporter Hilary Makokha bagged the second runners up award.

Mary Ireri and Gilbert Langat won the Young Achiever Award as Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

On Port users, Kenya-based Del Monte won the Exporter of the Year Award during the award held on September 17, 2021, in Mombasa.

The awards are to recognize the industry’s outstanding practices for Excellence, Sustainability, Training, Technology, Initiative, Personality and Leadership from the Eastern Africa region.

The Awards were grouped into nine clusters based on maritime functionalities and service offerings with a total of 27 distinct categories.

Bollore Transports & Logistics won the Best Cargo Transporter and Best Regional Cargo Logistics Provider among other awards. 

ESL Forwarders won the Best Clearing and Forwarding Agent in Kenya with Best Clearing and Forwarding Agent in Tanzania going to Tahafresh Handling Limited.  

Kenya’s Siginon Group won the Best Warehousing Company. Best Shipping Line went to Gulf Badr Group (K) Limited; Best Shipping Agent (Liner Agency) was won by CMA CGM Kenya Limited with ELS Forwarders winning the Best Shipping Agent (Tramp Agency).

The Best Cargo Consolidator went to ECU Worldwide Kenya Limited.  

Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association won the Best Private Sector Business Membership Organization in Kenya and Uganda, respectively.

KPA’s Managing Director John Mwnagemi said the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the critical role played by the maritime sector in enabling global supply chains. 

 “Despite the pandemic, seafarers in eastern Africa region, and in fact all over the world, continue to make personal sacrifices to labour behind the scenes to ensure food, medicines and other essential supplies reach our shores. I salute your steadfastness and resolve," he said.

"Through your drive and vision, you have proven your worth in the competitive maritime industry. Your hard work has won the recognition of your fellow colleagues in the industry and will no doubt be a shining example for others to follow."

Chief Executive Office Marketing Society of Kenya Edward Oswe, who is the coordinator EAMA 2020 event said the team was encouraged by the growing interest in the EAMA award across the region, adding that EAMA continues to consolidate the maritime industry as it matures.

“We have seen an increase in growth of the number of entrants for the EAMA 2020 despite the pandemic," he said.

Oswe said they received 77 entries up from the 64 received in the previous edition – representing Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The event was organized by Kenya Ports Authority in partnership with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade), Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) and East African Business Council (EABC).

Edited by D Tarus