Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd (MRM), through its foundation arm, the Safal MRM Foundation, has officially launched the 2026 edition of its prestigious Safal Eye in the Wild Photography Competition. What was once an annual award has now evolved into a flagship Corporate Social Investment (CSI) movement, repositioned to help you “Frame Your Future”. A photography movement that leverages art for conservation while funding education in an inclusive, socially conscious way that engages and creates opportunities for the communities we call home.
The competition repositions photography as a force for environmental conservation, while directly funding education initiatives across Kenya and East Africa. It calls on photographers, professional and amateur alike, to use their lenses not only to capture beauty but to build classrooms, fund scholarships, and shape a more inclusive, conscious, and opportunity-rich future for the communities MRM serves.
The launch event, held at Hyatt Place in Westlands, unveiled a bold new framework: photography as a “circular impact engine.” This model transforms Creative Capital, the art of photography, into Human Capital, tangible educational infrastructure. Every image submitted helps support learning opportunities for young people across the region.
“At Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd, we believe that when you invest in educating young people, you are powering the hope and dreams of future generations,” said Mr Sarit Shah, Chairman of the Safal MRM Foundation.
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“With ‘Frame Your Future,’ we are proving that human ingenuity and nature can thrive together. Every photograph captured through this movement is no longer just a digital file. It is a call to action that will help secure our shared future.”
Mr Shah added:
“This is also a direct effort to support education in Kenya. Every photo becomes a brick in a classroom or a scholarship for a young Kenyan. We are inviting photographers to use their lenses to address the crisis of classroom shortages arising from a growing population, as we champion education initiatives across the country through the innovative, quality building solutions manufactured by Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd.”
Mr Albert Sigei, CEO of MRM, highlighted the competition’s focus on empowering younger generations:
“The 2026 competition introduces a significant focus on democratizing conservation through mobile photography. By featuring dedicated Under 18 Amateur categories, Safal Eye in the Wild aims to empower what we call ‘The Future Lens’; Gen Z and Alpha storytellers who use their smartphones to document and make positive changes and impact in the world around them.”
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About the Competition
The competition is now open to photographers across East and Southern Africa, including professionals, amateurs, and young entrants. Submissions will be judged by an elite panel based on thematic alignment with conservation and education, technical excellence, and emotional impact.
Prize Pool & Gala Event
Winners will be celebrated at a red-carpet, black-tie gala on 17th July 2026. The total prize package includes: The Gold Award: USD 3,000, The Silver Award: USD 2,000, The Bronze
Award
USD 1,000, The People’s Choice Award: USD 500 and Amateur/Minor Categories: USD 500.
How to Enter
Photographers are invited to “Frame Your Future” by submitting entries via the official campaign microsite. https://safaleyeinthewild.safalgroup.com/#/
