Kenya

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GIRAFFE HEROES KENYA

Perhaps you know a child or an adult that has displayed remarkable courage, a daring neighbour who has tremendously improved your area, an exemplary teacher, dedicated care-worker, a community leader who is risking it all for the benefit of others, or member of the security forces who have gone beyond the call of duty to help others, despite the risk involved. People who go that extra mile. We want to hear about them. We want to tell their stories of commitment, courage and selflessness!!

Giraffe Heroes Kenya is an initiative that seeks to identify, recognize, and celebrate Kenyans from diverse backgrounds who have gone above and beyond to "sticking their necks out" and serve their communities and promote the common good. See some stories of such people below.

There are countless individuals and groups in Kenya dedicating their lives to serving their communities in their own quiet, yet heroic ways. They are not celebrities, but their inspiring efforts deserve acknowledgment and appreciation. Giraffe Heroes Kenya seeks to identify and celebrate these ‘unsung’ heroes in Kenya. By reaching out to everyday people from around the country, we would like to show that everyone can make a positive change in their society with what they have, if only they take action!

We believe that by shining a spotlight on these remarkable individuals, we can inspire others to stick their necks out too and help solve significant public problems in their communities.

Giraffe Heroes Kenya was launched in 2014 and is run under Bridges of Peace Initiatives (BPI) as an affiliate of the Giraffe Heroes Project, USA.

Thank you to every Giraffe Hero in Kenya. We are proud of you. We celebrate you.

Njeri Ndiangui,

Director, Bridges of Peace Initiatives (BPI) and Giraffe Heroes Kenya

ceannje@yahoo.com

HOW TO NOMINATE A GIRAFFE HERO

Do you know a Kenyan woman, man or young person who is sticking her or his neck out to help solve some significant public problem? Someone who is acting with courage and caring to help make Kenya more peaceful, just and prosperous? Tell us about them and give us the honour to acknowledge and appreciate them through sharing their story to the whole world!

Click this link to nominate your Giraffe Heroes!

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The First Kenya Giraffe Heroes

The Giraffe Heroes of Kenya

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Boniface Mwangi

Boniface Mwangi's journey from photojournalist to fearless political activist in Kenya is a testament to his unwavering commitment to social justice and equality. Mwangi has become a powerful voice for change in a country where fighting corruption often means risking one's life. Despite facing attacks, death threats, and even an explosion at his home, Mwangi stands firm in his pursuit of truth and justice. His courage and dedication continue to inspire a new generation of activists in Kenya, More

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Kajuju Kimanthi

Kajuju Kimanthi faced profound hardship when her husband died a year into their marriage, leaving her pregnant and vulnerable. Motivated by her struggles, Kajuju dedicated herself to advocating for widows' rights, founding “Together as One Kithurune” to support widows, combat gender-based violence, and oppose female genital mutilation. Despite significant challenges, her unwavering commitment continues to inspire and uplift countless women in need. More

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Annie Njeri Gitu

Annie Njeri Gitu's story is one of unwavering love, empathy, compassion, and sacrifice that has touched countless lives in her community of Mau Narok and other areas in Nakuru County. For over three decades, Annie has been a beacon of hope for the marginalized and the poor, dedicating her life to serving others with empathy and a fierce determination for social justice. More

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James Musyoka

James Musyoka has spent the last 22 years transforming his community into a hub of readership through his organization, Kenya Connect. At the risk of his own future, James has committed his energy, knowledge, and skills to empower Wamunyu village with educational programs, including reading clubs and a Community Library. His dedication has elevated literacy levels, improved communication among villagers, and enhanced academic performance in local schools. More

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Florence Makau

Florence Makau, a 49-year-old Kenyan woman, has spent the past decade as the primary caregiver for over 100 homeless children in Machakos County. Moved by the heartbreaking sight of desperate street children, Florence transformed her small apartment into the Bondeni Children’s Rescue Center, now Nuru Children’s Home, using her savings to provide for their physical, emotional, and educational needs.. More

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Chief Nicholas Wambua

Chief Nicholas Wambua is a fearless warrior in the battle against corruption in Kenya. In a country where confronting corruption is often likened to signing a death warrant, Chief Nicholas stands as a beacon of courage and unwavering determination. More

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Susan Kimasop

Every minute of every day, Susan Kimasop fights for women. It’s not easy; she works in a region where women are treated very poorly. More

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Stephen Ogutu

Stephen Ogutu was born with a disability that put him on crutches, but that hasn’t stopped him from helping others. In fact, if anything, it has spurred him on to helping others—those who desperately need help. More

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Sister Rahab Naguthii

Sister Rahab Nyaguthii has a hard life. She doesn’t have much money, and she’s compelled to farm and engage in other hard labor in order to do what she wants to do. More

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Sheila Adhiambo Otieno

Thinking more of others than yourself sometimes takes courage, especially if you're a young woman and you’re continually at risk for getting arrested. More

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Robert Watene Njenga

Robert Watene Njenga has been a fighter for social justice since 2006. He’s courageously taken up public interest campaigns. These are rights within the new Constitution—but demanding them is not something that many corrupt leaders appreciate. More

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Peninah Kamicha

As a member of the police force, Chief Inspector Peninah Kamicha knows what a loaded firearm is and especially what it can do in the wrong hands. More

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Patrick Owino Barasa

Patrick Owino Barasa empowers and enlightens citizens to become active participants in helping shape government policies that impact their lives. His efforts are not always a smooth sail. More

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Mary Njeri Daniel

Mary Njeri Daniel rescues children who’ve been raped and assaulted, sacrificing her finances, her home and her comfort to give them a home, an education and life skills. More

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Mary Kuket

Mary Kuket has dedicated her life to working as a volunteer for social change in Baringo County. She fights gender-based violence, promotes intertribal peace and teaches new methods for sustainable agriculture. More

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John Ngare

John Ngare funds, manages and teaches in a school he created so that local children can attend pre-unit and lower primary classes that would otherwise be unavailable to them. More

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Isaac Mbugua Kahacho

Isaac Mbugua Kahacho mobilizies his community in Nakuru County to improve water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, fighting HIV and AIDS and advocating for child protection. More

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Eunice Njeri Mathenge

Eunice Njeri Mathenge is a renowned gospel artist who provides sanitary towels to poor girls in Lodwar and West Pokot so they do not miss days of school. More

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Esther Waweru

Esther Waweru provides a home to Kayole’s abandoned, forsaken and destitute children. She took a leap of faith to do this without even knowing where she could get the help and support she needed. More

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Emily Seteiyo

Emily Seteiyo is dedicated to reducing the high infant mortality rate in Kajiado, and she’s going the distance to make it happen. More

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Elizabeth Achieng Ngonga

Elizabeth Achieng Ngongo helps girls who've been raped and made pregnant, then dropped out of school and become vulnerable and needy. Most of the time, these teenage girls have no one to turn to. Elizabeth offers them support, counsel and hope.. More

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Edna Cheretei and Daniel Loktari

Edna Cheretei and Daniel Loktari have made their home a rescue centre for children in a community faced with rampant cases of female genital mutilation, early marriages and violence resulting from cattle rustling and tribal frictions. More

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Christine Tanguli

Christine Tanguli. a former high school teacher and UN employee, now runs two orphanages and a high school for disadvantaged kids. She also houses more than 20-orphaned kids in her own house. More

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Christopher Mulwa

Christopher Mulwa, helps and counsels children forced into early marriages. He also helps youth open small businesses so they don't have to “fish for sex” to survive. More

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Angeline Obutu

Angeline Obutu is a widow and a mother of five children--and she runs a charity home for over 400 HIV infected families. More

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Ali Nur Hassan

Ali Nur Hassan is the Chief of Nakuru town. But he is a Chief with a difference, who goes well beyond his normal duties in order to serve his people. More

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Ali Nur Hassan

Abdikalif Abdiqafar Adan pioneered the eradication of malaria, infant mortality rate, HIV/AIDS, and distribution of nets to destitute in the coastal region. More

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Abdikadir Aden Hassan is a young Kenya environmentalist and a peace Ambassador. At the age of 26 years he has made a significant contribution to the protection and sustainable management of the environment.

He is a young leader who has exhibited a big change for his society with a big...

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Chief Kariuki uses social media in his administrative work and for crime prevention. Now commonly known as ‘The Tweeting Chief’, Kariuki has over 36,500 followers on Twitter, and his numbers continue to grow. Chief Francis Kariuki, who has been in charge of Lanet Umoja location in North...

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David Kuria has for a long period of time been in involved in human rights activism. Mr Kuria's crusade for human rights started way back in 1992 when the country was fighting for multi party democracy. He at one time went on hunger strike at the Christ The King Cathedral, Nakuru for two weeks...

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Florence Kang’ai has a heart to give and support the needy regardless of where they come from. She is a mentor and a motivator to many young people who have lost hope and even those who are engaging in drugs and other immoral behaviours. She believes and understands the power of an educated...

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Francis Warui is the OCPD for Kobujoi in Nandi South. He has been of great help to the people of Nandi South by improving the security of the place which has been very much wanting. He has helped manage and reduce significantly the cattle rustling that have caused a lot of suffering to the...

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Janet has been actively giving her time and money to support the sick and the widowed by providing them with food, clothing, medicine as well as fundraising for students school fees.

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Joseph Kimaiyo Towett Initiated Ogiek Lands and livelihood program in 1988 and has kept the promise and the struggle to date. He led his community in filing and successfully prosecuting the first historic case leading to the historic landmark judgment of 17 March, 2014 and court decree on 7 May...

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For more than 10 years now, 82 year old Lilian Ndaro opened her very humble home in Subukia, Kenya for orphans, vulnerable and needy children. Many lives have been transformed through the hands of Lilian. Despite the fact that she is elderly, has health challenges and doesn’t have any source of...

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Mary Simat, out of her passion for her Maasai community, left her teaching career without any other pay job to champion for the rights of women and girls in her community. She selflessly embarked on helping to enlighten and empower women to stop harmful practices like FGM & early marriages...

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