The Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) launched submissions for the 10th anniversary edition of the BAKE Awards 2026, 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 Ksh1.27 trillion (USD 9.8 billion), positioning creators as major economic contributors alongside traditional sectors.
BAKE Awards 2026 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 professionalisation 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,” said Kennedy Kachwanya, Chairperson of BAKE. “It is an industry that’s creating jobs, driving innovation, and establishing Kenya as a continental leader in digital entrepreneurship.”
Mr Kachwanya said the standard of Kenyan digital content has established a new benchmark for excellence. He said digital content creation is a viable and powerful economic driver.
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.
Key dates for the 2026 Awards
- 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 strong competition and high quality of Kenyan content.
The BAKE Awards 2026 is supported by 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
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