Health journalist Leon Lidigu clinches 16th global award in 6 years

By Newsflash Writer

Kenyan multi-award-winning global health and climate journalist Leon Lidigu has done it again.

On Tuesday, April 14 night, as curtains fell on the Merck Foundation Kenyan Alumni Summit 2026, graced by Kenya’s First Lady, H.E. Rachel Ruto, and Health CS Aden Duale, Lidigu was named the best for a story titled, “Lessons From Kenyans Facing Amputation” (https://nation.africa/kenya/health/lessons-from-kenyans-who-are-facing-amputation-4241728), which judges said was aptly humanized and very palatable for the common mwananchi.

This is Lidigu’s 16th global health award since 2020, making him, without doubt, the finest and most decorated science journalist in the country and continent.

Track record of impactful journalism

Mr Lidigu is a prominent Kenyan journalist known for his investigative reporting.

Leon Lidigu and Rosa Agutu( Standard Media Group) who was also feted on Tuesday night. Photo/Newsflash

His work has extensively covered critical public health issues, including highlighting the plight of thousands of Kenyans who were stranded in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the government repatriate all of them; malnutrition in slums; and a six-part investigative series into alleged organ trafficking at Mediheal Group of Hospitals that triggered investigations into the illegal trade while highlighting the plight of victims.

He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Journalism from Pacific University, India, after also graduating from Multimedia University Kenya, where he studied Mass Communication.

In 2025, just before exiting Nation Media Group (NMG) following Afya House scandal exposés, as well as “tough questioning” of Health CS Aden Duale regarding the Social Health Authority (SHA) and allegations of fraud, Lidigu won the 2025 Amref Global Health Award. In 2021, he was named the ICFJ Global Nutrition and Food Security Reporting Award winner.

Shortly afterwards, the World Health Organization (WHO) and ICFJ named him among the winners of the “Violence Against Children” reporting contest.

Lidigu also serves as a member of the Africa REACH Leadership Council, focused on ending HIV/AIDS in children by 2030, and was appointed by H.E. Monica Geingos, the former First Lady of Namibia.