Kenyans have excelled in various fields in 2025, earning global recognition for their efforts. From the classrooms to the grassroots movements. Some of the names are well-known, while others have been recognised for works that have gone unrecognised.
However, at Kenyans.co.ke, we take a look at some of the notable award winners.
Kennedy Odede
The 41-year-old founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a grassroots movement providing life-changing services to the urban poor, was in July awarded the 2025 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize.
He became the first Kenyan man to receive the honour, joining Brenda Reynolds of Canada as the 2025 recipients of the Prize.
The Nelson Mandela Prize is presented once every five years to one woman and one man whose work upholds the legacy of Nelson Mandela through contributions to social justice, reconciliation, dignity and community empowerment.
The award ceremony took place at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, the United States.
Emmanuel Wanyonyi
The middle-distance runner was in December awarded the World Athletics Male Track Athlete of the Year after an outstanding season, including World Championship success and a Diamond League title.
Jepkosgei Chemoiwa
She is a teacher from Baringo County who won the continental award from UNESCO's International Institute for Capacity Building as the best teacher in Africa in September.
A dedicated Mathematics and Physics teacher with over 15 years of experience at Emining Boys High School in Baringo County, Chemoiwa leveraged the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to pioneer large-scale online learning initiatives that reached thousands of students daily.
Her approach extends beyond traditional teaching; she has been a master trainer in livestreaming and virtual laboratories, introducing digital tools, gamification platforms, and even robotics training to make learning interactive and engaging in underserved regions.
Isaac Mwaura
The Government Spokesperson in August received a prestigious award for social justice and youth mentorship from the United Nations Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mwaura was recognised for his efforts in youth mentorship and social justice in the country and the wider region.
The award also reflected his focus on offering climate-related solutions and ensuring the voices of young people are heard.
Babu Owino
In July, he was awarded the Top Influential Youth African Leader of the Year at the 2025 Africa Golden Award held in Lagos, Nigeria.
The African Golden Award stated that the award highlighted Owino's strong voice in youth empowerment and his leadership across the continent. It also praised Babu for showing that young leaders can shake up politics and speak truth to power.
Okiya Omtatah
Busia Senator was honoured on December 11 with the prestigious 2025 Vanguard Warrior Award by the International Commission of Jurists Kenya (ICJ-Kenya) for his relentless defence of the Constitution and human rights.
The award, presented during a ceremony attended by legal luminaries, recognised Omtatah's fearless pursuit of accountability through strategic public interest litigation that has challenged government overreach.
