Susan Syombua Kioko, CEO of the Syombua Kioko Foundation, and Cosmas Nzomo, Head of Partnerships at ETA Kenya Awards, during the launch in Nairobi.The prestigious ETA Awards 2025 are set to take place on
September 5 in Machakos County, with the aim of celebrating, empowering, and
elevating the country’s most exceptional young people across various sectors.
Recognised as Kenya’s most legitimate youth awards platform, the ETA Awards Kenya spotlight outstanding individuals in entertainment, business, governance, and community development.
The event continues to grow in impact and reach, with this year’s edition promising to be the most dynamic yet.
At the official nominee launch in Nairobi, Susan Syombua Kioko, CEO of the Syombua Kioko Foundation and a key partner of the event, reaffirmed her commitment to youth empowerment—particularly the boy child, whom she said remains largely neglected in many national initiatives.
“This partnership offers youth—especially those from humble beginnings—a chance to shine, be seen, and build their future through talent and innovation,” Syombua stated.
From its humble beginnings with a shoestring budget, ETA Awards has evolved into a national movement.
In 2024, it was voted Kenya’s most credible awards platform, celebrated for its unwavering transparency and commitment to honoring only those who are genuinely voted for.
This year, the platform received a record 121,000 applications across 31 categories, but only 276 nominees made the final list—a testament to ETA’s focus on excellence and integrity.
ETA Awards CEO Edward Ndari reflected on the journey, recalling how he withdrew just Sh101,000 from Family Bank to fund the inaugural event.
“ETA was never about profit—it was built on purpose, passion, and an unshakable belief in the potential of young people,” Ndari said.
The Syombua Kioko Foundation has already directly impacted over 3,000 boys, offering mentorship, education, life skills, and innovation training.
Drawing from her own journey as a mother, Syombua emphasized that empowering the boy child is key to building stronger families and communities
She also called on Kenya to invest in innovation and local talent as a strategy for job creation and national development.
In a bold move, Syombua announced her political intentions to vie for the Machakos Woman Representative seat in 2027, pledging to bring inclusive, youth-centered leadership that ensures no talent is left behind.
A special appreciation was extended to Dr. Patrick Kihiu of Cross Entertainment, a visionary partner whose support has been instrumental since ETA’s inception.
Kihiu and his team provided a world-class production setup for ETA 2025, matching international standards in creativity and execution.
In a show of commitment, Cross Entertainment sponsored 50 per cent of the entire setup budget, affirming their strong belief in the promise of Kenyan youth.
The ETA Awards 2025 have also attracted support from major brands and community-focused organisations.
Coca-Cola powered nationwide roadshows across Kitui, Embu, Nairobi, and Machakos, Basiran uplifted the event’s visibility with promotional materials and gift hampers and Woodnork Greed delivered stunning red carpet and stage branding.
Kifalme Waste Management provided both sponsorship and community support while Captain Mamba and Arizona International College also offered critical backing.
