Official Event Hub
SANAA 2026 Artisan Awards
A night honouring the hands that build the nation. Relive the gala, meet the winners and discover the pathways into skilled trades.
Explore the event
Everything from gala night, in one place.
Event Gallery
Photos and video highlights from gala night.
Gala Programme
The official run of show, minute by minute.
Winner Profiles
Stories, achievements and trade specialisations.
Highlights & Speeches
Keynote, acceptance speeches and reels.
Digital Event Booklet
Read or download the full booklet.
Meet the Artisans
Biographies and contact details.
Careers & TVET
Artisan pathways and training routes.
Visitor Feedback
Tell us about your experience.
Headline winners
All winnersArtisan of the Year 2026
Amina Were
Master Welder & Metal Fabrication · Kisumu
Amina started as an apprentice in a lakeside fabrication yard at 19. Today she runs a nine-person workshop producing solar mounting frames for rural clinics and trains young women in structural welding.
Heritage Craft Excellence
Joseph Mutiso
Woodwork & Furniture Joinery · Machakos
A third-generation joiner, Joseph blends Kamba carving traditions with contemporary furniture design, exporting to three continents while keeping every joint hand-cut.
Young Artisan Rising Star
Grace Chebet
Textile Design & Tailoring · Uasin Gishu
At 24, Grace turned a single donated sewing machine into a uniform manufacturing unit serving 30 schools, employing eleven tailors from her neighbourhood.
Sponsors & partners
Ministry of TVET & Skills
Principal Partner
National Industrial Training Authority
Principal Partner
Kenya Association of Manufacturers
Gold Partner
Craft Futures Foundation
Gold Partner
Jenga Sacco
Silver Partner
Umoja Media Group
Media Partner
ToolWorks East Africa
Supplier Partner
Solar Kazi Ltd
Silver Partner
News & media coverage
Umoja Daily · 12 March 2026
SANAA 2026 crowns Kisumu welder Artisan of the Year
Skills Africa Review · 13 March 2026
Why the SANAA Awards matter for the future of TVET
Coast FM · 14 March 2026
Mombasa solar innovator honoured at national artisan gala
The Trade Journal · 20 March 2026
Inside the workshops that trained this year's SANAA winners
Future events & nominations
Aug 2026
Nominations open — SANAA 2027
Self-nominations and community nominations across 14 trade categories.
Oct 2026
Regional artisan showcases
Six county-level showcases and judging clinics.
Jan 2027
Finalists announced
Shortlist published with workshop verification visits.
Mar 2027
SANAA 2027 Gala Night
National awards gala and artisan marketplace.