The founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Kennedy Odede has been awarded the 2025 Nelson Mandela Prize in recognition of his community-led development work in Kenya.
The award ceremony took place at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York on Friday, July 18, as part of this year’s Nelson Mandela International Day.
Kennedy Odede becomes the first Kenyan man to receive the award.
Odede wins the 2025 UN Nelson Mandela prize. Photo: Courtesy.
In Kenya, Odede is a household name thanks to his organisation, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), which has transformed the lives of thousands of people across the country.
He started with a small effort to uplift his community and has evolved to become a beacon of hope for many in Kenya’s informal settlements.
He won the award alongside Brenda Reynolds, a Status Treaty member of the Fishing Lake Saulteaux First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Reynolds has dedicated decades to advancing Indigenous rights, promoting mental health, and championing trauma-informed care, according to the UN.
Presenting the award to Odede, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described Odede as a long-time community activist whose organisation unites groups across Kenya.
The Nelson Mandela Prize is awarded every five years to one man and one woman whose work embodies the legacy of Nelson Mandela, including his commitment to reconciliation, social justice, and grassroots leadership.
