OLX SOMA 2016 Nominees List Out

Social media enthusiasts can now vote for their preferred individuals and organizations who have used the digital space to positively impact the society following the release of the OLX SoMA 2016 nominees list.

The list, which cuts across the social and economic spheres, features some of the athletes who won medals at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, government and media personalities, corporates and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Awards Gala for the OLX SoMA 2016 will be held in September. The gala, now in its fourth year is sponsored by online classifieds company OLX as the title sponsors and organized by Eyeballs Africa Ltd. Other sponsors include Safaricom that has taken up Gold sponsorship and ICT Authority, Vintage, Expose etc.

Under the sports category, Rugby 7s Collins Injera, Olympics 800 meters champion David Rudisha, Javenile silver medalistJulius Yego, 10,000 m gold medalist Vivian Cheruiyot and Marathon gold medalist Lornah Kiplagat have been nominated for the Most Social Sports Personality Award.

The Government Personalities Award features Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Amina Mohamed, Mombasa Governor, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua, Taita Taveta MP Hon. Joyce Lay and Nominated MP, Johnson Sakaja.

Read: Top Four Social Sites in Kenya

The list of the nominees for the first time includes Best use of Social Media in Agriculture category which will be fought for by Rodgers Kirwa, Shamba Shape Up, Mkulima Young, Amiran Kenya Ltd and Smartfarmer magazine.

The annual OLX social media awards recognizes and rewards individuals who have made good use of social media to positively impact society.

OLX Kenya country manager, Peter Ndiang’ui, noted that the list reflects the vibrancy of the social media landscape and urged the Online Community to vote for those who have contributed to social transformation though creative and positive use of the social networks.

Ndiang’ui cited that the agricultural sector has seen tremendous growth in terms of increased marketing opportunities through use of social media.

“Farmers have a great opportunity in use of e-commerce. They can now connect with their potential buyers online.”

Speaking during the release of the list, SOMA founder, Mr. Martin Muli, noted that Kenyan sportsmen are yet to fully capitalize on social media to build their profiles and market themselves as brands.

“Most world champions haven’t focused on social media as a platform that can help them connect not only with Kenyans but also international fans. Huge social media accounts can help them make more monies through brand endorsements,” Mr. Muli said.

He, however, lauded entertainment, media, business sectors for recognizing the value of social media in building brands and driving business opportunities.

See the list of nominees below:

Facebook Personality Award Award

• 1A. Wanja Kavengi
• 1B. Jaymo Ule Msee
• 1C. Pauline Njoroge
• 1D. Lucia Musau
• 1E. Israel Robert Burale

Twitter Personality Award

• 2A. KenyanPundit
• 2B. KResearcher
• 2C. ColdTusker
• 2D. BonifaceMwangi
• 2E. SokoAnalyst

Instagram Personality Award

• 3A. Truthslinger – Mutua Matheka
• 3B. Jalang’o
• 3C. Sowairina – Grace Msalame
• 3D. Diana Opoti
• 3E. Carol Radull

New Blogger Personality Award

• 4A. www.stylishnick.com
• 4B. www.mister-left.com
• 4C. www.missturu.com
• 4D. www.thebrieffect.com
• 4E. www.bellapacebooks.com

YouTube Channel Award

• 5A. Caroline Mutoko
• 5B. This Is Ess
• 5C. Kangai Mwiti
• 5D. Craving Yellow
• 5E. Trending Newsroom

Social Corporation Category

Financial Services Award

• 6A. NIC Bank
• 6B. Britam
• 6C. Cooperative Bank
• 6D. Equity Bank
• 6E. KCB Group

Retail Services Award

• 7A. Jumia
• 7B. Kilimall
• 7C. Nakumatt Holdings
• 7D. Naivas Supermarket
• 7E. Tuskys Supermarket

Consumer Product Award

• 8A. Durex Kenya
• 8B. Nivea
• 8C. UBER Kenya
• 8D. KFC Kenya
• 8E. Tusker Lager

Tech-Telecom Award

• 9A. Zuku
• 9B. Airtel Kenya
• 9C. Safaricom
• 9D. Infinix
• 9E. TECNO Mobile

Hospitality Service Award

• 10A. Villa Rosa Kempinski
• 10B. Serena Hotels
• 10C. Sarova Hotels Kenya
• 10D. Bonfire Adventures
• 10E. Heritage Hotels

Manufacturing Award

• 11A. Bidco Africa
• 11B. Crown Paints
• 11C. UNGA Wa Dola
• 11D. Mabati Rolling Mills
• 11E. Menengai Oil Refineries

Government Category

Most Social Government Personality Award

• 12A. Amb. Dr. Amina Mohammed
• 12B. Hon. Governor Ali Hassan Joho
• 12C. Hon. Johnson Sakaja
• 12D. Hon. Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua
• 12E. Hon. Joyce Lay

Most Social State Corporation Award

• 13A. Higher Education Loans Board
• 13B. Kenya Revenue Authority
• 13C. Kenya Power
• 13D. National Transport and Safety Authority
• 13E. Kenya Police Service

Media Category

Most Social Television Show Award

• 14A. Mseto East Africa
• 14B. The Trend
• 14C. Churchill Live Show
• 14D. Kubamba TV Show
• 14E. XYZ Show

Most Social Radio Show Award

• 15A. Homeboyz Radio: Class 124
• 15B. Radio Maisha: Alex and Jalas
• 15C. Capital FM: Hits Not Homework
• 15D. HOT 96: Drop Zone
• 15E. KISS FM: Mid-morning Show

News Channel Award

• 16A. Citizen TV
• 16B. Capital FM Kenya
• 16C. K24 TV
• 16D. KTN Kenya
• 16E. NTV Kenya

Most Influential Media Personality Award

• 17A. Larry Madowo
• 17B. Adelle Onyango
• 17C. Willis Raburu
• 17D. Alex Chamwada
• 17E. Terryanne Chebet

Educational Institution Category

Most Social Learning Institution Award

• 18A. Daystar University
• 18B. Kenyatta University
• 18C. Moi University
• 18D. University of Nairobi
• 18E. Zetech University

Most Influential Student Leader Award

• 19A. Victoria N Mbugua – USIU
• 19B. Babu Owino – UoN
• 19C. Anyungu Wanyungu – JKUAT
• 19D. Were Were – KU
• 19E. Teddy Aboka – Zetech University

Sports Category

Most Social Sports Personality Award

• 20A. Collins Injera
• 20B. David Rudisha
• 20C. Julius Yego
• 20D. Vivian Cheruiyot
• 20E. Lornah Kiplagat

Most Social Sports Club, Team or Association Award

• 21A. AFC Leopards
• 21B. Gor Mahia FC
• 21C. Kenya 7s
• 21D. Mwamba RFC
• 21E. Kenyan Riders Downunder

Entertainment Category

Most Social Entertainment Personality Personality Award

• 22A. Daniel Ndambuki aka Churchill
• 22B. DJ Joe Mfalme
• 22C. Sautisol
• 22D. Rabbit King Kaka
• 22E. Mercy Masika

Best Use of Social Media Category

Social Responsibility Award

• 23A. Eddah’s Hope Cancer Foundation
• 23B. Beyond Zero Campaign
• 23C. Fatumah’s Voice
• 23D. She Blossoms
• 23E. Ibua Africa

Agriculture Award

• 24A. Rodgers Kirwa
• 24B. Shamba Shape Up
• 24C. Mkulima Young
• 24D. Amiran Kenya
• 24E. Smartfarmer Magazine

Biz Yangu Award

• 25A. Tricomke
• 25B. Expeditions Maasai Safaris
• 25C. Bizna Kenya
• 25D. FitkenyanGirl – Jane Mukami
• 25E. Marini Natural