KBC's Millicent Kubai Scoops Top Honour at Inaugural HIV and STIs Reporting Awards

A KBC Radio journalist has put health storytelling firmly in the spotlight after walking away with the top accolade at the very first Voices of Impact HIV & STIs Reporting Media Awards 2026. Millicent Kubai beat out dozens of competitors from across the country to be named the overall winner of the ceremony, which was organised by AHF Kenya to celebrate journalists advancing public understanding of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

Kubai's triumph was built on her radio feature titled "Life Beyond the Diagnosis" — a deeply human piece examining what patients go through in the days and months after testing HIV-positive. The work impressed judges to the tune of 117.9 out of a possible 140 points, earning her not only the grand prize but also the best radio journalism category award. She left the event with a Ksh 500,000 cash reward, reflecting the exceptional quality and impact of her reporting.

Describing what drove her to produce the story, Kubai said she wanted to pull back the curtain on the experiences of Kenyans at voluntary counselling and testing centres. "I did Life beyond diagnosis to shed light on what goes on when one goes to the VCT center and tests positive, with many shying away from tests for fear of stigma," she explained. Her feature confronted the shame that prevents many from seeking timely care, while weaving in a message of resilience and hope for those already navigating life with the condition.

The competition attracted a total of 99 entries spread across seven categories, covering print, digital, television, and radio journalism. The awards were established as a dedicated platform to honour media professionals whose stories shift the conversation around HIV in meaningful ways — moving audiences from fear and silence toward knowledge and action.

Kubai's recognition arrives at a moment when Kenya's HIV landscape presents a complex picture. Figures from the National Syndemic Disease Control Council show that roughly 1.48 million Kenyans are currently living with HIV. Although overall prevalence rates have edged downward this year, health authorities remain deeply concerned about a 55 percent surge in infection rates among young people — a troubling trend that underscores just how vital committed health journalism remains.

Initiatives like the Voices of Impact awards serve as a timely reminder that the media has a central role to play in shaping how communities understand and respond to public health emergencies. Kubai's double win is a well-earned recognition, and one that will likely encourage a new wave of Kenyan journalists to tackle sensitive but life-saving stories with the same courage and thoroughness she brought to her work.