Kenyan journalist Pauline Ongaji with Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation (left), and Dmitry Peskov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. Photo/Courtesy
By Newsflash Writer
Award-winning Kenyan health and science writer Pauline Ongaji Ogada has won the 2026 Energy of Words International Award, emerging the winner in the Best Piece on Energy Originating from Abroad category after an international competition that attracted 257 entries from 40 countries.
Ongaji received the prestigious award in Moscow, Russia, during a ceremony held at the Manege Central Exhibition Hall as part of the Russian Energy Week forum.
The annual Energy of Words international media contest is organised by the Global Energy Association to support journalists covering major developments and trends in the Russian and global energy sector, as well as communications professionals working in the energy industry.
This year’s winners were selected by a judging panel comprising heads of leading Russian media holdings, news agencies and business publications.
Ongaji takes top international honour
Ongaji was recognised for her winning work, The Energy Mix, which was published through international platforms Corporate Knights and The Energy Mix.
The latest achievement marks another major milestone in Ongaji’s journalism career, which has focused on health, science and energy reporting.
The awards ceremony brought together leading journalists and media professionals from across the energy sector. The awards were presented by Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Peskov, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
The ceremony was hosted by Sergey Brilev, President of the Global Energy Association.
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Awards were presented in 11 main and two special nominations, with the Grand Prix going to Konstantin Panyushkin of Channel One Russia.
Other winners included Vasily Milkin of Vedomosti for Best Article on Energy in a Nationwide Media Outlet, Elena Savinova of RIA Novosti for Best Article on Energy from a News Agency and Alyona Alyoshina of Delovoy Peterburg for Best Article on Energy in a Regional Media Outlet.
A second Energy of Words victory
Speaking to Newsflash after receiving the award, Ongaji said she was proud that a story she believed was worth telling had travelled beyond the publication where it was originally pitched.
“When I pitched this story, I knew it was worth telling. What I didn’t know was just how far the story would travel,” she said.
She said the story attracted attention after publication, opening conversations and drawing interest before eventually being entered into the Energy of Words International Media Contest.
“I was shortlisted. And now, I am truly proud to say that I won,” she said.
The Moscow award is particularly significant for Ongaji because it is her second Energy of Words victory.
In 2023, she won first place in the same Best Piece on Energy Originating from Abroad category for an article published by Nation Media Group.
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“Three years later, I find myself a two-time Energy of Words winner. Honestly, what an honour,” she said.
Ongaji expressed gratitude to the people who trusted her with their experiences and expertise, as well as the teams at Corporate Knights and The Energy Mix for publishing and giving the winning story a platform.
She also thanked Sergey Mukhanov and the Global Energy Association and the Energy of Words jury for recognising her work.
The journalist described the latest award as both a personal honour and an encouragement to continue telling stories that connect local experiences with wider global conversations.
“Two wins. So many stories still to tell. And hopefully, this won’t be the last,” she said.
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