Media personality Ben Omwaka popularly known as Benstake, has bagged a nomination in the Third edition of the Pulse Influencer Awards, under the Arts and Photography category.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, the elated Omwaka shares that he was thrilled when he bumped into his nomination as he was voting for other nominees in different categories.

Read: Nakuru, through Ben Omwaka's lens

“A friend of mine called me yesterday and told me he had come across a nomination poster I was in. I did not believe him at first. However, as I was voting for other influencers, I came across my name,” he recalls.

Speaking on the nomination, he says it is a great honour for him to be nominated among top creatives and influencers in the country, some of whom he looked up to while he started off his photography and influencing gigs.

A flock of flamingos at Lake Elementatita.

Photo credit: BEN OMWAKA

“It is a great privilege to receive the nomination alongside my role model Enos Olik, whom I have admired since 2016. Getting the nomination for me is already a win. However, I hope to bring the award home,” he says.

Over the years, Omwaka has created a community around him under the ‘local man persona’, who likes doing hiking and travel content with a blend of nature photography.

This has increased his followership on different social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Additionally, he says his photos are meant to document change over the years and spark conversations on social change.

Omwaka has been the man behind the spectacular views of Nakuru city, with his long shot of the Nakuru- Nyahururu interchange photo wowing netizens.

Section 58 interchange taken from hyrax hill.

Photo credit: BEN OMWAKA

Over the years, he has been taking contrasting photos of different places in the city, documenting the transformation the city has been undergoing over the years.

He has also been in advocacy photography championing road safety and pedestrian safety.

He will be competing against Enos Olik , Gufy Dox, Victor Omondi art , Scott the photographer, Magunga, Mohagrafix, Muma pix ,Vodasalano and Wixx Mangutha.

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Omwaka says he is thankful for the support Nakuru people have shown him, noting that his phone has been buzzing continuously with people showing him love and congratulating him.

Previously, Omwaka has won the second runners-up in the 2017 SGR photography competition and the 2018 Changing Transport Award.
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Nakuru photographer gets nomination in national influencer award

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