Hanifa Farsafi Adan is an influencer primarily on the social media platform X, an activist and a social commentator
She mostly focuses on social issues affecting society which has forced government officials to fix recurring problems.
Most notably, in 2023 she trained the spotlight on the broken drainage system in Korogocho slums which was posing a serious health risk to residents.
It was only after her sustained activism on X that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja addressed the matter, although she would later state that the intervention made things even worse.
Besides online activism, Hanifa is also a writer and runs a popular blog that highlights various issues affecting Kenyans.
In 2024, Hanifa picked up from where she left off in 2023 and became one of the leading figures during the June-August anti-Finance Bill protests witnessed in Kenya.
The activist, who is a trained journalist, together with fellow activists Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid emerged as the key voices behind the demos.
Hanifa, in a remarkable show of human capacity, goodwill and accountability managed to initiate a fundraiser campaign ‘Care for the Injured’ to cater for medical and funeral costs for the people who sustained injuries and lost their lives.
Hanifa managed to successfully raise and account for Ksh31 million to support victims of police brutality in the protests as well as families of the deceased. The fund was carefully managed, with a detailed audit report confirming its transparency and proper distribution. Hanifa ensured that the funds were allocated fairly, with priority given to the most severely injured and bereaved families.
In 2024, Hanifa also managed to scoop various awards; a recognition of her great efforts. She was honored with the Kenya Women Leader of the Year award for her exceptional leadership in advocating for women's rights and her work to address gender-based violence. She was also recognised by the African Gender Equality Forum for her contributions to improving the lives of women and girls across East Africa.
Further, she was awarded the Human Rights Defender of the Year Award in November 2024. The award recognised her for her dedication to the promotion of public integrity in Kenya.
Aside from this, Hanifa Adan successfully launched the Girls First Initiative, a project aimed at improving educational opportunities for girls in remote areas. The initiative has enrolled over 1,500 girls in schools, provided scholarships, and built infrastructure to ensure safe learning environments. Her leadership in this initiative has not only increased school attendance rates but also created long-term pathways for girls to pursue higher education and employment opportunities, contributing to their economic empowerment.
In November, Hanifa capped off her remarkable year by being appointed by Senator Okiya Omtatah as a member of his ‘Presidential Exploratory Committee’ where she will serve as a Public Relations/Media consultant.