By Frank Okello
CFK Africa, an international non-profit organization working to empower youth in informal settlements in Kenya, celebrated outstanding individuals and groups whose journeys speak to resilience, fresh ideas, and an unshakable commitment to justice, from grassroots advocates to environmental champions.
“Our mission is to empower young people through public health and leadership initiatives, removing barriers that prevent them from thriving,” said Jeffrey Okoro, Executive Director, CFK Africa, underscoring the organization’s focus on localisation, empowering community members at the forefront of solutions, and strategic partnerships as the backbone of sustainable change.
Awards were presented across multiple categories, including the Inclusivity Award to Tony Adams, the Impact Award to Yasmin Mohamed for her advocacy on girls’ rights, the Resilience Award to Ben Ooko, and the Innovation Award to Edgar Odhiambo, a freelance journalist.
Philip Evayo, an environmental champion and co-founder of Utu na Haki, received the Leadership Award, while the Kibera Soccer Women FC took home the Guiding Star Award for winning the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Women’s Cup Final.
Binti Rashid received the inaugural Social Justice Award in recognition of her dedication as a girls’ empowerment advocate. This award honours the late Kenyan Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, a distinguished human rights lawyer and influential poet and writer who passed away earlier this year.
Speaking on Nowrojee’s legacy, CFK Africa co-founder and CEO Rye Barcott praised his unwavering support for grassroots causes. “Pheroze took time to spend with communities that had no voice. When your reputation is under attack, you can feel alone very quickly. This award is a constant reminder that no voice is too small to spark change,” Barcott said. Plans are underway to make the Social Justice Award an annual honour and to establish a scholarship for social justice champions.
Okoro further revealed CFK Africa’s ambitious growth plan, aiming to scale its impact beyond Kenya into East Africa and, eventually, sub-Saharan Africa. Backed by a strategic roadmap already in motion, the organisation seeks to reach at least 1 million youths within the next 5 to 10 years.
To date, CFK Africa has established access and delivered programs across eight counties and 26 informal settlements across Kenya, a footprint Okoro described as “just the beginning” of a wider regional transformation.
Beyond the celebrations, CFK Africa underscored its commitment to tackling poverty, boosting literacy, promoting health access, and empowering youth through skills training and sports.
Okoro emphasised that sports serve as vital entry points for mentorship, health education, and leadership development. “For young people, the future is limitless. Nobody is coming to save you; you save yourself,” he said, urging the youth to challenge themselves and believe in their potential.
