• This is the second time Pacesetters Awards are being held in Kenya.
•This year’s award received backing from various industry players that partnered with Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA) to make the event a success.
Image: Courtesy
Leading firms in various industries were recognized in a key annual award dubbed Pacesetters Awards (PSA) Kenya held at Panari Hotel Nairobi.
This year’s award received huge backing from various industry players that partnered with Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a Non-governmental organization that is the organizer of these awards, to make the ceremony a success.
This was the second Pacesetters Award ceremony in Kenya and the third one will be held in the first week of June 2022.
Plans are underway to conduct the awards in Kampala in March 2022, to feature Ugandan companies.
The awards in Nairobi attracted entries from various countries of Africa. This saw Ugandan firms and a Sierra Leone national scoop the key awards.
Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa are among other African countries where the pacesetters awards will be held.
The organizers say they have already pitched tents in Uganda and Zambia to ensure that everything goes as planned.
Dr. Mary Boniface, the CEO of Jubilant Stewards of Africa, said they have already hit the ground in the neighbouring countries.
“Our research team is already on the ground in Kampala and Lusaka to carry out the survey as we prepare for the awards in the respective cities early next year. We will not do this alone.
"Various partners have approached us and we are still vetting them to make decisions on who to work with. For Kenya, we will be conducting the awards in June due to partners’ requests so that we avoid the festive rush," she said.
Some of the firms that were recognized in this industry leadership survey for the first time included Real Auto Spares, AVT Insurance Agency Ltd, City Walk Limited, Ruiru Mabati, Kevian Kenya LTD Afia drink Manufacturer, Siaya County, Security Firm Jeff Hamilton K Ltd, Kampala Uganda based Fintech firm; Service Cops Ltd, Sereni Fries, Goodman Agencies LTD, Chabshar Solutions Limited, the online shopping platform Jiji Kenya and Nakuru based Hospital Valley Hospital.
The award features organizations, individuals, businesses, and government agencies who over the years have demonstrated exemplary leadership, outstanding innovation, quality products, and services, growing the economy as well as positively transforming society.
PSA awards seek to encourage these groups to go beyond the call of duty in their service to humanity. It considers companies’ excellence in the industry and how organizations make special efforts for the benefit of humankind. It is also committed to endorsing the best industry leadership ethics and practices.
Jared Oundo, the Director of Programs Communications at Jubilant Stewards of Africa explained that the survey takes a whole year to be finalized and the applicants are assessed based on various parameters including their delivery and impact on the economy and society.
This year, the award organizers looked at how the firms handled the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many businesses crumble and jobs lost. He added that next year they will be also looking at financial data and using it to categorize the firms into platinum, gold, silver, and bronze categories.
“The award winners are intensely scrutinized and selected competitively through a procedure that encompasses a public vote and a panel of judges. The judges work independently and fairly without any biases towards any candidate or company,” said Oundo.
While receiving the Pacesetter Award in the Electric Vehicles category, Yvonne Nzisa Head of Legal at Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited (VAELL) welcomed the fete.
“We are enlightened to have been recognized as early adopters of electric vehicles (EV) that are geared towards conservation of the environment and Mother Nature. We will continue doing our best and hope the government will support the uptake of the EVs," she said.
Some of the institutions and individuals honoured include Safaricom Plc (Telecommunications), Vehicle and Equipment leasing Limited (Electric Vehicles), Kevian Kenya Limited (Food and Beverage), Goodman Agencies Limited (Pharmaceutical Products), Real Auto Spares Limited (Moto Accessories, AVT Insurance Agencies Limited (Insurance Solutions) and Zenka Finance (Digital Lending).
Others are Certified Home Limited (Outstanding Real Estate Company), City Walk Limited (Fashion and Design), Ruiru Mabati Factory (Roofing Solutions), Progressive Credit Limited (Business Lending), Space Properties (Real Estate Firm of Choice, Jeff Hamilton Security (Security Management), Service Cops Limited (Fintech Solutions), Topaz Driving School (Drivers Training), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (Union of the year), Chabshar Solutions Limited (Home Security Solutions), Mwananchi Credit Limited (Reliable Lending and Audio-Visual Control Systems Limited (Audio Visual Distribution).
Also recognised for exemplary work are Jiji Kenya(E-Commerce), ASA International (Microfinance), Valley Hospital Nakuru (Medical Solutions), Prestige Shuttle (Shuttle Company), Mash East Africa Limited (Bus Company), Ena Coach (Transport and Parcel), and Master Fabricators Limited (Bus and Coach bodybuilding ).
Individual honoured are Jaoko Oburu Oginga (Youth Development, Janet Sudi-Maina (MCIPR)
Edited Bosco Marita