The nominees of the first edition of the Tuko Entertainment Awards have been released and voting is opened. The nominees were selected through consideration of several factors that reflect the dynamic nature of the entertainment industry. The selection focused on digital innovation, creativity, and the community-building projects Kenyan creatives have undertaken over the past year. The nominees are categorized into seven categories. The results announcement will be done on the 23rd of January, 2024.
Trace Awards and Festivals winners 2023.
Best Actress of the Year. (Vote Here)
This category aims to recognize female stars whose performances, in Movies or TV Shows have left a mark on their fans and elevated the level of acting in Kenya.
Kate Actress.
Kate Actress is an award-winning actress who has received honors locally and internationally for her incredible skills. Best known for her Mother-in-Law role as Celina, Sue in the series Sue na Jonnie and also roles in Netflix movies such as Disconnect 1 & 2 and Plan B.
Jackie Matubia.
Jackie Matubia is a multi-talented actress who rose to fame with her role as Jolene on Tahidi High. She starred in Citizen TV’s popular series Zora as Nana and also played a lead role on Showmax’s hit series Salem.
Mwanasha Johari.
Mwanasha Johari is a talented actress in Kenya. Her role as Sultana, a blind young lady, in the famous TV series Sultana saw her receive many accolades and nominations for various awards making her a rising star in the world of Film and Arts.
Sanaipei Tande.
Sanaipei Tande is one of Kenya’s most celebrated stars in the media, film, and music industry. she has won several awards and her roles on Auntie Boss and Aziza showed her incredible talent, but her character as Nana Tandala on Kina proved she’s one of the best.
Best Actor of the Year. (Vote Here)
This category recognizes excellence in acting and delivery of roles by male actors who’ve made an impact on fans and the industry at large.
Blessing Lung’aho
The actor has shown enormous talent in different roles across the Kenyan and international film industries. His roles as Madiba on Zora, and Mejja on Maria, and He’s also starred on highly acclaimed shows such as Netflix’s Country Queen and the movie Instant Dad.
Robert Agengo.
Robert started his acting career by performing in set books across the country. He went to TV screens through shows such as Makutano Junction, Changes, Mali, Kona Country Queen, and International films such as Lost in Africa and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.
Brian Ogola.
Brian Ogola has had roles on local TV shows such as The Second Family and Crime and Justice. He has also played roles in movies such as Disconnect, The Poacher, and Oscar-nominated Kati Kati.
Ian Mbugua.
The actor has decades of experience in the entertainment industry and continues to showcase his impressive skills on his latest feature Second Family, where he plays a lead role. He was also featured in films such as House of Lungula, Chaguo, and Crime and Justice.
Best Female Artist of the Year. (Vote Here)
This award celebrates female artists whose music, the delivery of it, and stage performances are worth recognition.
Femi One.
She is the most celebrated female rapper and songwriter in Kenya. She rose to fame after featuring on King Kaka’s Ligi Soo remix and later signed for the male rapper’s record label Kaka Empire. Hits such as Utawezana feat Mejja and Properly feat Nyashinski have made her one of the best.
Nikita Kering.
With hit songs such as Ex, Nikita has won not only fans but awards all over Kenya and the world considering she started her journey in music as a young kid performing in church.
Nadia Mukami.
Started her professional career in 2015 and hits such as Rahisi, Radio Love, Tesa featuring Khalihraph Jones, and her biggest hit to date, Maombi has made her a household name. Nadia also runs her record label, dubbed Sevens Creative Hub.
Janet Otieno.
Janet Otieno is a legendary singer and songwriter famous for producing uplifting Gospel hits. The 45-year-old has one of the biggest songs to date, Napokea Kwako, featuring Christina Shusho, and has released other hits such as Bisha and Mtafute.
Best Male Artist of the Year. (Vote Here)
This award goes to the most influential male musician with a sound and execution that is second to none. Their fans not only love the music but also the individual.
Bien-Aime Baraza.
Bien’s star has always been rising with solo projects such as Bald Men Love Better and the latest album Alusa Why Are You Topless which has become one of the best of 2023.
Bahati.
The musician started his music career with the song Mama, since then, he hasn’t looked back, going on to release hit after hit, with some considered by fans as secular music.
Khaligraph Jones.
Khaligraph Jones is one of Africa’s biggest rappers. With his hit songs such as Yego and Mazishi, Khaligraph Jones has received several awards both locally and internationally.
Otile Brown.
Famous for his passionate love songs such as Alivyonipenda and Baby Love, the musician has become one of the most streamed artists in the country, especially on YouTube, where his following is indisputable.
The Most Fashionable Celebrity. (Vote Here)
This award goes to the most stylish celebrity whose fashion sense has left a mark and discovered new trends. They not only look but dress the part.
Jacky Vike.
Jacky Vike, Awinja, is known for her classy looks portrayed through her social media pages. She is known for pulling off risky fashion statements on red carpets and leaving many in awe.
Joy Kendi.
Joy Kendi is one of Kenya’s most decorated influencers in the fashion industry, known for her high-class yet simple fashion statements.
Lulu Hassan.
Lulu Hassan’s appearances on primetime TV at Citizen TV for most parts of the week make her never to disappoint with her outfits on TV and on the red carpet.
Anita Nderu.
Known for her over-the-top fashion statements, she hosts an online show dubbed The Overlydressed Cook, donning incredible pieces that some would certainly wear on the red carpet.
Best Influencer of the Year. (Vote Here)
This award recognizes an individual who has brought a change in their field, influencing (as the word suggests) others into following in their footsteps.
Sueh Owino.
Currently one of Kenya’s biggest influencers in the cooking industry. The young lady has been able to use her cooking skills to gain followers and accolades.
Crazy Kennar.
His creative nature and ability to keep his fans entertained over a long period have seen him gain accolades for that.
Dennis Ombachi.
From the Rugby pitch to the kitchen, Dennis Ombachi has gone on to gain thousands of fans for his impressive cooking skills.
Eric Omondi.
Eric Omondi is one of Kenya’s most famous personalities, with a vast career. However, nowadays, the comedian has turned into a philanthropist, which has also seen his fans continue to praise his work.
Rising Star. (Vote Here)
This award aims to encourage a raw gem that is flourishing with every move, someone with the ability to revolutionize the field they currently occupy.
Sofiya Nzau.
Sofiya Nzau is one of Kenya’s brightest stars and her growth since joining the industry has been tremendous.
Brandy Maina.
Brandy Maina is known for her exciting music, which has been taking over slowly within many circles.
Kinoti.
Kinoti is a musician who has been able to create a huge audience for himself and those who enjoy his kind genre.
Trio Mio.
Trio Mio has become one of the biggest influencers in the Hip-Hop world, from his music, dressing, and charisma, Trio is certainly the future of Hip-Hop and deserves every little recognition he gets.
Voting opens on January 8th, 2024.
Voting ends on January 22nd, 2024.
Winners are to be announced on January 23rd, 2024.