At CFK Africa, we know that local champions are the real drivers of community change in slums. Despite operating with limited resources, members of our community demonstrate leadership, resilience, and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others. Our annual community awards, held August 9, 2025, honored these unsung heroes who advance our mission of empowering youth. We received 650 nominations and 5,790 votes from the community to determine these local leaders.
We also celebrated our professional women’s soccer team, Kibera Soccer Women FC, who were just crowned national Champions in the FKF Women’s Cup Finals, making history and all of Kibera proud. We presented our inaugural Pheroze Nowrojee Social Justice Award, named in honor of the bright legal mind and fierce defender of human dignity and justice in Kenya. The recipient, Binti Rashid, is a teenage mother and girls empowerment advocate in the community.
We are honored to announce the full list of 2025 awardees below:
Pheroze Nowrojee Social Justice Award
Binti Rashid is a student, a mother, and a girls empowerment advocate born and raised in Kibera. Currently a Form 4 student at Olympic High School, Binti has emerged as a rising leader in CFK’s Girls Empowerment Program, participating both in Funzo and the Girls’ Parliament. Binti was elected as president of the CFK’s Teenage Mothers Girls’ Parliament group for her demonstrated leadership capabilities. In 2024, she was selected to participate in the first-ever East African community symposium on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) held in Nairobi. The event brought together organizations, policymakers, youth advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss factors influencing SRHR, policy gaps, budget allocations for health, challenges in enforcement, and recommendations and commitments. In addition, during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in November, Binti used Octostudio to develop a creative digital app using sprite-based storytelling to raise awareness on gender equality. Through advocacy and peer support, Binti continues to uplift teenage mothers and girls across Kibera on their rights, self-worth, and the power of education.
Sustainability Award
Abdul Kassim is a dedicated community leader and advocate for girls’ education in Kibra. Through his visionary leadership, he established a girls’ school that now serves as a safe, nurturing space where young girls can learn, grow, and pursue their dreams free from fear or discrimination. His commitment to creating inclusive educational opportunities has empowered countless girls to reclaim their right to education and envision brighter futures. Abdul’s work not only protects the girl child but also strengthens the entire community by investing in its most vulnerable. He is a true champion of education, safety, and equity.
Guiding Star Award
Zeinab Saki is a dynamic footballer known for her versatility on the field, excelling both as a striker and a fullback. Her football journey is marked by discipline, determination, and a passion for uplifting others through sport. She has represented Kenya at the national level, earning a call-up to the U20 team in 2011, the same year she helped her team clinch the Street Soccer World Cup title in France. Zeinab has played for notable teams such as Soccer Sisters and Kibera Soccer Women FC, and now dedicates her time to mentoring the next generation through CFK Africa’s mentorship program. Off the pitch, she holds a CAF D Coaching License and certifications in both Physiotherapy and Electrical Wireman Training, a testament to her dedication to continuous learning and service.
Inclusivity Award
Tonny Adams is a dedicated youth champion in Kibera, committed to empowering young people through education, mentorship, and sports. Known for his hands-on approach, Tony has led numerous capacity-building initiatives that help youth overcome social challenges and build self-reliance. Through his work at the Community Champilibrary and beyond, he provides safe spaces for learning and personal growth. His empathetic leadership and deep understanding of the struggles faced by youth make him a trusted mentor and advocate. Tony’s tireless efforts continue to uplift and inspire a generation of young leaders in Kibera to dream bigger and do better.
Impact Award
Yasmin Mohamed is a passionate advocate for girls’ rights and dignity, known for her tireless efforts to end period poverty in her community. From a young age, Yasmin began supporting girls by providing sanitary pads and standing against the exploitation many face in trying to access basic needs. She has since expanded her work by partnering with organizations to offer vocational training, distribute food supplies, and create safe spaces for adolescent girls and young women. Yasmin also leads community clean-ups and asset-building forums. Her compassion, consistency, and leadership continue to impact both the young and elderly across the community.
Innovation Award
Edgar Odhiambo is a freelance journalist from Kibera whose innovative approach to community storytelling is giving voice to the unheard. Armed with just a phone and passion, Edgar captures and shares powerful stories that highlight both the struggles and resilience of people in informal settlements. His impactful coverage, such as mobilizing support for a breast cancer patient through social media, has led to real-life interventions and hope for many. Edgar’s commitment to ethical, grassroots journalism not only raises awareness of overlooked issues but also sparks collective action. His work exemplifies how storytelling can become a transformative tool for community-driven change.
Leadership Award
Philip Evayo is an inspiring environmental champion and community leader driving impact in Kibera through action and advocacy. As co-founder of Utu na Haki CBO, Philip has led transformative clean-up campaigns, tree-planting drives, and waste management efforts, turning neglected public spaces like Makina Market into clean, usable environments. His leadership has mobilized hundreds of youth, inspiring them to take pride in their surroundings and reject harmful behaviors. Philip’s commitment to justice, sustainability, and youth empowerment is unmatched. With integrity and passion, he continues to prove that grassroots leadership can create lasting change and a cleaner, healthier Kibera for all.
Resilience Award
Ben Ooko, founder of Amani Kibera, is a visionary leader whose commitment to peace, inclusion, and youth empowerment has transformed lives in Kibera for over two decades. From rebuilding a community library after demolitions to launching inclusive initiatives like the Mr. and Miss Kibra leadership contest and a fashion school for youth with disabilities, Ben consistently champions dignity, opportunity, and unity. His value-based sports, education programs, and peace campaigns have reduced violence and uplifted thousands. Resilient, humble, and impactful, Ben turns adversity into action, making Kibera a place of hope, innovation, and leadership.
Community Coaching Award
Frederick Ochieng, fondly known as Coach Di Fresh, is a passionate mentor and sports champion in Kibera who has dedicated his life to nurturing young talent through football. Beyond coaching, he uses sports as a platform to mentor youth, steer them away from drugs, and promote discipline, teamwork, and personal growth. From organizing community tournaments to supporting players with school re-enrollment and food aid, Fred leads with heart, resilience, and integrity. His dedication has reformed lives, inspired dreams, and united communities. More than a coach, he is a role model and a true champion of youth empowerment through sport.