Kennedy Odede

Now a world-renowned human rights activist, Kennedy began his humanitarian efforts in the slum of Kibera with only 20 cents in his pocket.

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"If the world is going to change, we must recognize that we must all play our parts."

“I believe that the world is a mirror. In the face of terrible injustice and inequality, we must reflect to the world the change that we would like to see. Whatever we do in this world will be reflected back to us, and so we must fight, and fight hard, for what is right.”

About Kennedy Odede

Kennedy Odede was born and raised in the largest slum in Africa, Kibera, where poverty is extreme and life expectancy can be, shockingly, 30 years of age (compared to 54 years in the rest of Kenya). Now a globally-renowned community organizer, Kennedy has been caring for others all his life ; the eldest of eight children, he assumed responsibility for his family when he was ten years old.

In 2004, the then-teenaged Kennedy used his first pocketful of extra money—twenty cents—to buy a soccer ball: he drew young people from the streets, helped inspire them to seek a brighter future, and founded Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO). “Early on in my life, Kennedy says, I realized that hope is essential for personal survival amidst the crushing daily realities of poverty. Hope will not solve all of the problems that we face in extreme poverty — but it reminds us of the promise of imagination and ingenuity — something that I know poor people have in abundance.”

As President & CEO of SHOFCO, Kennedy created the Kibera School for Girls, the slum’s first tuition-free school for girls. Under his aegis, SHOFCO has also established a health clinic, eco-friendly toilets, and a community center that offers extensive support through health care and education outreach, gender violence support groups, microenterprise for HIV positive women, literacy and computer training, and hundreds of jobs.

Kennedy, who has been an Echoing Green Fellow and a senior Humanity in Action Fellowis now a Aspen Institute Fellow. He won the Dell Social Innovation Competition in 2010, was recognized by Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Social Entrepreneurs list and has been honored by President Bill Clinton. He speaks six languages and is one of very few people from Kibera ever to attend an accredited four-year college (Wesleyan University).

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