Standard group CEO Orlando Lyomu (centre), Radio Maisha representatives,Standard Group Managing Director (Broadcasting) Joe Munene (extreme right) receive the winner's certificate for Impact on Children Welfare Award from the chairman of  Digital Broadcasters Association, Joel Karanja, during the Communications Authority of Kenya's Kuza Broadcasting Awards in Nairobi on Wednesday evening.  [David Gichuru, Standard]

Faces shone with cheers and wide smiles as Standard Group Limited’s brands scooped awards at the 2018 Kuza awards on Wednesday night.

In the second annual fete hosted by media regulator Communication Authority of Kenya, SG’s  radio station, Radio Maisha, and  the group's two television channels ---  KTN Home and  KTN News--  scooped more than half of the awards for quality programs and also being the people’s choice.

Radio Maisha representatives with Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu (2nd right) and Radio Maisha programmes controller Linda Oriaso (3rd left) receive  the Certificate for the winner, Impact on Youth, Women and Persons Living with Disabilities category, from Media Owners Association CEO Lynette Mwangi (3rd right) during the Kuza Broadcasting Awards by Communications Authority of Kenya at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nairobi,  on  Wednesday evening.  [David Gichuru, Standard]

Radio Masha beat close competitor Radio Citizen to clinch the award for the most popular radio station in the country.

On the television category, KTN home came in second after Citizen TV.

There were 16 awards cutting across the three categories which were The peoples’ Choice award, Program Creativity and Local Content.

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KTN, KTN NEWS and Radio Maisha bagged a total of 11 awards.

 The only station in the Standard Group family also shone in the  Impact on Youth, Women and Persons living with Disability and impact on children welfare categories.

On the Impact on Agriculture category it emerged second after Citizen Radio.

 Radio Maisha presenter Mwende Macharia (left), Head of Radio Tom Japani, Standard Group Acting Chief Executive Officer Orlando Lyomu  and Radio Maisha  programes controller Linda Oriaso  during the 8th birthday for Radio Maisha on  May 24. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

 In the Objectivity, impartiality in News and Current affairs KTN News came in third while KTN Home was second.

Radio Maisha came in second in the radio category.

 It also emerged that more than 4 million Kenyans voted for the various awards. This happened between April 9 and May 9 this year.

 Speaking during the fete yesterday, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru defended the new laws to fight cybercrime, saying that they will not be abused.

He noted that the media industry had grown despite disruptions caused by technological innovations.

 “Through digital migration, Kenya now has 62 TV stations. This has increased competition and given consumers choice for content,” said Mucheru. “The local industry has also given us a chance to grow. Creativity, diversification will be the ideal thing if you want to remain in competition.”

 At the same time, CA chief Francis Wangusi said that the media had grown while attracting fewer legal issues as compared with yester years.

He said, “You have lived to the promise of your ethics.  We are moving from being a police man to play a collaborative role.”

New kids in the industry also clinched awards in the fete.  Christ is The Answer Ministries emerged the best on the copyright category while EDU TV were emerged top on the children program category.

KU TV clinched the award for running local programs during prime time.