Kennedy Odede

Honored by the #NelsonMandelaPrize. Mandela’s name “Rolihlahla” means “troublemaker”—the good kind that stirs courage, justice, and compassion. If that means fighting for dignity, equality, and peace, count me in. Let’s keep making #GoodTrouble. The world needs more Rolihlahlas.

Yesterday, I paid a visit to SHOFCO Sacco Ltd's Eastlands Branch located at Kariobangi South roundabout. In 2025, this branch disbursed loans worth Ksh400 million. Our staff is doing a great job. #CommunityPower

Yesterday, I joined our newly formed health committee during their induction session in Kibera. The team will oversee the delivery of health services in the communities we serve. The committee members are drawn from our Shofco Urban Network elected leaders, local administration, religious leaders, youth, persons with disabilities, and Community Health Promoters. This team will provide oversight and meet regularly to support and improve health service delivery at the grassroots level. It's all about reaching the community better. As they begin this important journey, I encourage them to serve the community with dedication.

Earlier today, I met with the Ethiopian Elders Council, led by its chairman, Dr. Tesfasion Dellalew, and the Kenya Council of Elders, led by its chairman, Major (Rtd) John Seii. We discussed the need for unity among African elders to foster peace, unity, and development across the continent.

Happy #EidMubarak to all my Muslim brothers and sisters!

Yesterday we launched 2 STEM labs at Huruma & Salama Primary Schools + handed over a sanitation block in Nairobi Usawa Agenda's State of Education report: only 21% of junior school teachers are STEM-trained & 66 boys share 1 toilet, 2x the recommended ratio. @hope2shine plus @EduMinKenya = the change our children deserve. #STEM #WASH #CBE #SHOFCO

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we celebrate the strength, and achievements of women everywhere. May we continue to uplift and empower them while working toward a world filled with respect, and opportunity for every woman and girl. #IWD

This morning, we woke up to the devastating news of floods that have swept across Nairobi and other parts of the country, destroying property and tragically claiming lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones. No community should have to endure such loss. Our initial reports from the Shofco Urban Network (SUN) network indicate that several neighborhoods across Nairobi including Mukuru, Kibera, Mathare, Huruma, and parts of Embakasi have been severely affected as heavy overnight rains triggered flash floods, leaving many families displaced and key roads impassable. Moments like this remind us that community solidarity is our greatest strength. Through our partners, local leaders, and SHOFCO Urban Network (SUN) volunteers, we are closely following the situation on the ground and mapping the scale of the impact across affected communities. As we continue receiving updates, my people, you are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

Youth unemployment isn’t a failure of potential; it’s a gap in opportunity. Vincent, a university graduate, transitioned from SHOFCO training & internship to a full-time role at Techno Brain as a Customer Service Associate. Structured internships. Permanent roles. Real pathways.

Through SHOFCO digital literacy programs, youth are prepared for technology-driven economies and remote work opportunities. Mohanad, a refugee who fled war twice, found a second chance through the SHOFCO–Konexio Digital Inclusion Program.

“How can we partner better to create more jobs through manufacturing and industrialization?” A timely and important question from my sister Hon. Catherine Mumma. If we are serious about jobs, then collaboration between government, private sector, and communities is not optional: it is urgent. #TalentandOpportunitySummit #KICC

I never allowed my past or my background to define my future and I never gave up. My message to the employer is simple: take time to listen to our young people. Behind every CV is resilience. Behind every application is untapped potential. When you give a young person a chance, you unlock dignity, opportunity, and transformation. I firmly believe that if we work together across sectors and communities, we can change this country for the better. #TalentandOpportunitySummit

Training is half the bridge. Jobs are the other half. Through partnerships with the public and private sector, SHOFCO ensures TVET graduates don't just have skills—they have employers waiting. From Kibera to Vihiga, we're turning technical mastery into career reality. #SkillsToJobs

Today in the Daily Nation, I wrote about what I call “𝐩𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭,” the harsh reality that those with the least resources struggle the most to access water. Yet water is life. In Kibera, residents, often women, stand in long queues to pay Ksh20 to Ksh30 for a 20-litre jerrican, despite the supply being erratic and the quality uncertain. While in affluent neighbourhoods across Nairobi, where piped water flows consistently, the same amount costs less than Ksh10. The result is a stark inequity: the poorest households pay more for a basic necessity than the wealthiest. That is unjust!

We are honored to host Talent and Opportunity Summit on Wednesday, March 4 at KICC. The summit will bring together over 2000 youth who have undergone training in various TVET institutions across Nairobi under full SHOFCO scholarship. As of 2025, we have facilitated skilling and job placements for around 250,00 youth across Kenya, with a particular focus on young women, who account for over 62% of the total number.

Leadership matters. Collaboration matters more. We are honored to host H.E. PS @fikirini_jacobs at the Talent and Opportunity Summit, happening next week. #YouthFirst #TalentToJobs

This week, I was privileged to host H.E. Mr. Ali Abdulla Khalifa and H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Janahi, a distinguished delegation from the Kingdom of Bahrain, in Kibera. It was an honor to walk with them through our community programs and offer a firsthand experience of the transformative work taking place on the ground. Beyond showcasing our initiatives, the visit was also a valuable opportunity to learn more about Bahrain, a nation known for its rich cultural heritage, and long-standing commitment to humanitarian values. In many ways, I reflected on the legacy of King Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, whose leadership was marked by bringing communities together, and investing in human development. I also showed them my house in Kibera, the very place where it all began.

Our biggest resource is people! Anything else is a bonus. Am I right? Last week, I joined the launch of the World Bank flagship report, Building Human Capital and Measuring Progress. My message was simple: if we want to see progress, we must start by investing in people.

My recent opinion article @NationAfrica. I hope you'll enjoy reading it. nation.africa/kenya/blogs-op…