The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) today launched submissions for the 10th anniversary edition of the BAKE Awards, as research by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Baraza Media Lab, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and UNESCO reveals the digital content industry has grown to approximately Ksh.1.27 trillion (USD 9.8 billion), positioning creators as major economic contributors alongside traditional sectors.
This year’s awards return to the competition’s traditional calendar period, running from January through June, a shift from the late-season schedule seen in 2025.
The theme for this year’s awards is “The Creator Economy: Turning Content into Capital.” As Kenya’s digital space matures, the 2026 edition aims to spotlight the professionalization of content creation, celebrating creators who have successfully transitioned from hobbyists to sustainable business owners and industry leaders.
“We’re no longer looking at digital media only as a past time. It is an industry that’s creating jobs, driving innovation, and establishing Kenya as a continental leader in digital entrepreneurship. The standard of Kenyan digital content has established a new benchmark for excellence. By returning to our traditional January-to-June calendar and focusing on the theme of ‘Turning Content into Capital,’ we are emphasizing that digital content creation is a viable and powerful economic driver. We urge all digital storytellers to submit their work and continue to lead the way in innovation,” said Kennedy Kachwanya, Chairperson of BAKE.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the BAKE Awards continue to serve as the premier platform for recognizing and honouring exceptional talent within Kenya’s vibrant digital landscape. This shift provides creators across TikTok, YouTube, Spotify and podcasting, and traditional blogging platforms with a predictable annual rhythm to showcase their work.
The key dates for the 2026 Awards are:
- Launch: January 12, 2026
- Submissions: January 12 – March 2, 2026
- Judging Phase: March 3 – April 3, 2026
- Public Voting: April 6 – May 29, 2026
- Winners Gala Event: June 6, 2026
Concluded on December 13, the 2025 awards saw unprecedented competition, culminating in the first-ever tie for Creator of The Year between the JoyRide Podcast and Sarah Njoroge, illustrating the fierce competition and high quality of Kenyan content.
The BAKE Awards 2026 is made possible through the continued support of partners dedicated to the growth of the digital space, including past collaborators like Absa Bank Kenya, UNESCO, KICTANET, Baraza Media Lab and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
To submit creators for the BAKE Awards 2026, please visit bakeawards.co.ke/submit.
For more information, please visit the following links:
- History: bakeawards.co.ke/history
- Rules: bakeawards.co.ke/rules
- Categories: bakeawards.co.ke/categories
About The BAKE Awards
The BAKE Awards, organized by the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE), is an annual celebration of the best in Kenyan digital content creation. Since its inception, it has evolved from a blogging competition into a comprehensive awards ceremony encompassing all forms of social media and digital storytelling.
About The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)
The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) is a non-profit established in 2011 to represent the interests of Kenyan online content creators and it serves as the primary umbrella body for professionalizing the country’s digital landscape.
Through its iFreedoms Kenya program, BAKE engages in public interest litigation to protect digital rights in Kenya. The organization also provides digital skills training, publishes annual “State of the Internet” reports, and manages a blog aggregator to improve the visibility of local content. BAKE continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s vibrant and ethical digital economy.