Entertainment

24 November 2023

• Tom was awarded at the 2023 African Investigative Journalism Conference for his effort to shed light on what he called “The True Cost of Our Tea”.

• The documentary went viral in the country prompting the companies mentioned to fire the managers and institute private investigations.

Kenyan investigative Journalist Tom Odula has been awarded the inaugural African Investigate Journalist of the Year Award through his expose ‘Sex for Work’ that went viral a few months ago.

Tom was awarded at the 2023 African Investigative Journalism Conference for his effort to shed light on what he called “The True Cost of Our Tea”.

Following the big recognition, Odula got Sh764,000 ($5, 000) as the first winner of the new award, which was introduced at the 19th African Investigative Conference.

“And the winner is @TomOdula from BBC Africa Eye! He takes the top honour at the inaugural African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award for his shocking investigation titled Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea. Exemplary work! #AIJC2023,” the statement said on social media.

Speaking after receiving the prestigious award, Odula dedicated the Award to survivors of Sexual abuse featured in the documentary

He commended them for being courageous enough to tell their story despite the potential risk involved in the making of the whole documentary.

"I dedicate this award to the sexual abuse survivors in the documentary for the courage to speak out at the risk of losing their only source of livelihood. I hope they inspire others to speak such truth to power," read Odula's acceptance speech.

The coveted awards add to the list of recent honours Odula has received in his line of duty.

Earlier this month, the Society of UK Editors also recognized him for the same piece designating him as Freelancer of the Year in the Media Freedom Awards.

‘Sex for Work’ is a documentary that outlines the plight of female workers in tea plantations in Kericho County.

In the tea plantations featured in the documentary, senior managers sexually harassed female employees and demanded sexual favours from prospective female employees before they could officially be hired.

The documentary went viral in the country prompting the companies mentioned to fire the managers and institute private investigations.