Kennedy Odede is among Kenya's most respected social entrepreneurs and a leading voice against urban poverty.
Born and raised in Kibera, Odede rose from extreme hardship to global influence to become a symbol of resilience.
As the Founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), Odede has built one of Kenya’s most influential grassroots movements. What began as a small youth initiative has grown into a nationwide network operating in over 90 locations across 35 counties, directly impacting 2.4 million Kenyans every year.
Through SHOFCO’s clean water projects, more than 40,000 households in urban slums now have reliable access to safe water. His education programmes have supported over 10,000 girls through schools and scholarships, creating pathways out of poverty for communities long excluded from opportunity.
SHOFCO’s civic leadership initiatives have trained 1.3 million young people, equipping them with skills in advocacy, governance, and community organizing. Additionally, the organisation has disbursed Ksh1.2 billion in microloans, enabling women and youth to start businesses and build financial independence.
Beyond the numbers, Odede’s leadership model emphasises dignity, inclusion, and collective ownership, reshaping how development is understood and implemented within marginalised communities.
In 2025, Odede was awarded the Nelson Mandela Prize, becoming the first Kenyan man to receive the prestigious United Nations honour in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social justice and community transformation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised Odede for embodying "the power of collective grassroots action to deliver power to the powerless".
The Mombasa County Government named a newly constructed 4.5-kilometre access road in Jomvu the "Kennedy Odede Access Road" in his honour, in recognition of his transformative work.
The SHOFCO SACCO, the organisation's microfinance wing, secured seven national awards at the 2025 Ushirika Day National Celebrations, including first place in Credit Management. The SACCO has disbursed over Ksh1.2 billion in microloans, supporting thousands of low-income earners.
Odede was honoured as the Best Humanitarian Leader of the Year 2025 at a gala in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for his leadership and commitment to serving people with integrity.
He was previously named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024, further cementing his position as a global leader in humanitarian innovation.