Kenyan social entrepreneur and co-founder of the Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) movement, Kennedy Odede, has been named one of the recipients of the 2025 United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize.
This prestigious international award, presented every five years, honours individuals who have dedicated their lives to the service of humanity, embodying the enduring spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Odede, who grew up in Kibera, one of Africa’s largest informal settlements, has been recognized for his profound transformational work through SHOFCO, the powerful grassroots organization he co-founded in 2004.
What began as a youth movement with just KSh 20 has since blossomed into a formidable network impacting millions across Kenya’s urban slums.
SHOFCO provides vital essential services, including education, healthcare, clean water, women’s empowerment programs, and robust emergency response systems in more than thirty underserved communities.
Odede’s distinctive approach, which strongly emphasizes community-driven solutions, has garnered international recognition and reshaped how social development is approached in urban poor settings globally.
In his heartfelt acceptance remarks, Odede expressed deep gratitude and reflected on his personal journey from hardship to hope. “This award is not just mine; it belongs to every child growing up in poverty, every woman fighting for dignity, and every community that dares to dream,” he powerfully stated.
The United Nations further highlighted Odede’s unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and empowerment, calling him a “true embodiment of Mandela’s values.” He shares the 2025 honour with Ethel Blondin Andrew, a distinguished Indigenous leader and advocate from Canada.
Odede’s inspiring story from the streets of Kibera to global platforms like the World Economic Forum and the UN General Assembly continues to demonstrate the immense power of local leadership and the critical importance of investing in communities often overlooked by traditional development efforts.
The official award ceremony is scheduled for July at the UN Headquarters in New York.
