Philanthropist Kennedy Odede was treated to a warm welcome after arriving from the US,
Cheers echoed through the streets of
Kibera on Sunday as Dr. Kenne
Thousands of residents turned out in
celebration, dancing and singing in honour of one of their own.
Odede, who grew up in the very hood
where the celebration was held, was visibly moved as he addressed the crowd.
“This award belongs to all of you. The
Mandela Prize is not about me, it’s about the power of our people, the strength
in our struggles, and the hope that refuses to die even in the most difficult
conditions,” he said.
The Nelson Mandela Prize is one of
the UN’s highest honours, awarded every five years to individuals who have
dedicated their lives to the service of humanity.
Dr. Odede was recognised for his
grassroots leadership and transformational work with SHOFCO, which provides
clean water, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment to residents of
urban slums in Kenya.
At the UN ceremony, Odede called for
inclusive development and global investment in informal settlements.
“In so many communities like Kibera, the gates of opportunity remain narrow. But at SHOFCO, we are not waiting for permission to belong to the future we are building. We are demonstrating that transformative leadership emerges precisely from the places the world overlooks — not just to walk through existing gates, but to widen them for others,” he stated in his speech at the UN.
Back in Kibera, Odede’s recognition
sparked a wave of pride and inspiration. Among the crowd were countless
beneficiaries of SHOFCO’s programs who spoke passionately about how Odede’s
leadership has changed their lives.
“Because of SHOFCO, my daughter is
in school and dreams of becoming a doctor. Odede didn’t forget where he came
from. He lifted us all,” Anne Njeri, a resident of Kibera.
John Otieno, a Kibera youth leader,
shared:
“To see someone from our community
stand on a world stage and receive the Mandela Prize, it tells us we can
achieve anything.”
Local leaders praised Odede for
staying true to his roots while making a global impact.
“This is a victory not just for
Kennedy but for every slum community in Kenya. He represents the spirit of
Mandela, humble, bold, and deeply committed to justice,” Owino Kotieno, former
Sarang’ombe Member of County Assembly (MCA).
Grace Akoth, a community woman
leader also praised Dr. Odede saying he has changed the lives of many in Kibera
and across Kenya.
“This moment proves that change
doesn’t come from above. It starts right here, with people like Odede who
refuse to accept that poverty is destiny,” she said.
Dr. Odede further emphasized that
the work was far from over.
“The Mandela Prize is not the end of
the journey, it’s a call to do even more. Let us build communities where no
child drinks dirty water, where no woman gives birth without care, and where no
youth is forgotten,” he said.
Established by the United Nations in
2014, the Nelson Mandela Prize
recognizes individuals who have dedicated their lives to the service of
humanity, in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation, peace,
and social justice.
The prize is awarded once every five
years to two recipients, one female and one male, who have made outstanding
contributions at the grassroots level.
