Veteran Nation Media Group (NMG) journalist Leon Lidigu has been feted by the global Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) after he won the 6th 2025 Women in Global Health Awards.
AHAIC is jointly convened by Amref Health Africa, the Ministry of Health Rwanda, the African Union, and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The Women in Global Health Awards focuses on changemakers who are making strides in developing and implementing homegrown solutions to tackle some of the present most pressing health and development challenges facing women.
These individuals demonstrate Africa’s immense potential to advance health equity and sustainable development, and this year, Lidigu is among the iconic individuals.
Lidigu won the Male Allies category, which actively advances gender equality in health by either mentoring women, implementing gender-responsive policies, or championing initiatives that support women’s leadership in global health.
As a journalist, Lidigu used his platform to highlight the plight of young women in Kibra who were being sexually abused to afford sanitary towels and even food. Thanks to his story about the women, a social media campaign was launched to help them, and through his initiative, over 50,000 women from low-income households have benefitted from the project.
The journalist was nominated after the organization invited the public to select outstanding African women and male allies driving change in innovation, climate action, youth empowerment, community leadership, and economic transformation.
He is the only Kenyan on the winning list.
"It is with great honor and admiration that we congratulate you on being recognized as a Male Champion of Women at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025. Your outstanding contributions to advancing and championing women’s health and empowerment, particularly through solution-oriented journalism, have made a profound impact," read part of the award letter to Lidigu signed by Amref Health Africa Group CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi on Saturday, March 1.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Lidigu expressed his gratitude toward the AHAIC for the global recognition and dedicated the award to the brave men and women who boldly speak out about the challenges they face, granting journalists a chance to retell their stories and make necessary societal changes.
"I am so humbled and grateful for this global recognition. I was so surprised when they called me because I didn’t know someone had nominated me. I dedicate this global award to everyone who makes time to tell us their stories as journalists, especially in low-resource settings, and in so doing, help journalists to not only drive societal change but also hold governments and powers accountable," Lidigu said.
He will be traveling to Kigali, Rwanda, on Monday, March 3, to March 6 for the AHAIC 2025 awarding ceremony.
Lidigu is a household name on the journalistic streets. He is a multi-global award-winning Kenyan climate-health journalist who currently works at Nation Media. He also serves on the AfricaREACH Leadership Council, which seeks to end HIV/AIDS in children and young people by 2030.
He graduated from Pacific University, India, with a First Class Summa Cum Laude in Journalism and Mass Communication.
