Youth Leaders Stakeholders
Halima Nyota Young Achievers Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder Youth Leaders Stakeholders, Was formed to enable gender equality at grassroots level which address the patriarchal leadership structure that had taken shape in our community in the sense that men were in charge of all social, economic and political spaces unfairly against women. In that process of wanting to bring more women visibility in the community’s leadership structure.
Somali Girls Organisation
Maryan Dadle Young Achievers Nominee # ZuriAwards 2021 is the Founder of Somali Girls Organisation. Been a victim of FGM and early marriage. An ordeal she survived as a kid necessitated her hatred towards injustice. Her defence mechanisms turned out to be her passion to rescue those who may be at risk like she was.
Vision for Child Education and Empowernment Foundation
Lisa’s Vision for Child Education Empowerment foundation is an organization aimed at advocating for children rights. They mostly focus on vulnerable children despite off their gender because they believe in the slogan that everyone matters despite the gender.
Jao Photography
Joyner Ochino—known professionally as JAO Photography—is a photographer celebrated for her vibrant, emotive visual storytelling. With a portfolio ranging from intimate couples and maternity sessions to dynamic “love stories” and bold editorial work, she brings a candid, creative style to every shoot. JAO emphasizes capturing authentic moments; the laughter, soft glances, and heartfelt connections through an artistic lens that elevates real-life experiences into timeless images.
EngineerEd
Brenda is a Kenyan Telecommunication Engineering graduate and Software Engineer professional who enjoys teaching young learners programming and hardware engineering. She also serves as a committee member at KamiLimu, an 8-month mentorship program for tech-aligned campus students, as the Innovation Partner, supporting 38 mentees upskill in their technical fields.
Hidden Tears Kenya
Lilian is a passionate advocate for mental health and community healing. As the Founder and Executive Director of Hidden Tears Kenya, she leads programs offering mentorship, psychological counselling, leadership training, and youth fellowship. Through initiatives like the “Mirror Me” a self-awareness program, Hidden Tears has supported over 6,000 beneficiaries under Lilian’s stewardship . Drawing from her own journey through post-natal depression, public divorce, and personal reinvention, Lilian champions resilience, emotional wellness, and self-empowerment using her platform to shine light on hidden scars and guide others toward healing and transformation.
Brightstar Rose Foundation
Brightstar Kasyoka is a trailblazing Kenyan fashion entrepreneur and changemaker. Born to a teenage mother and raised by her grandparents after being abandoned at three months, she excelled academically, earning the nickname “Brightstar” and enrolling in Maseno University for political science at just 19.
After discovering fashion through a friend’s guidance, she launched Star Tailored Designs in 2019, crafting custom suits, casual, and African wear. Her business not only sustains her creative passion but also funds her philanthropic arm, the Brightstar Rose Foundation, which supports street children and underprivileged families . Despite facing societal challenges related to a physical impairment, Brightstar’s resilience, ambition, faith, and dedication to community upliftment have made her a powerful role model for young Kenyan women.
Angamiza Kunguni Initiative
Winnie Wanjiku is the passionate founder of the Angamiza Kunguni Initiative (AKI), a women-led nonprofit based in Kenya dedicated to eradicating bed-bug infestations among underprivileged households. After struggling with bed bugs herself during her university days suffering sleepless nights, skin reactions, academic decline, and stigma. She launched AKI to offer a humane, community-centered solution. Her approach combines eco-friendly fumigation, education on prevention and hygiene, and a concerted effort to challenge the shame often associated with infestations.
Silver Lining Kenya
Benazir Mohamed Yussuf is a young Kenyan educator and activist from Garissa County who founded Silver Lining Kenya, a community-based organization empowering girls and young women by combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other gender-based violence (GBV). A survivor herself, she launched Silver Lining to give voice to the voiceless, mentoring over 100 girls, petitioning for policy change, and planning a community resource center offering legal support, psychosocial counseling, and educational materials .
In addition to mentorship and activism, her organization addresses issues like early marriage, school retention, peace-building, and skin-tone inclusivity campaigns, all guided by the pillars of child talent development, education access, peace promotion, and women’s empowerment.
Minat Bakery & Cake Zone Academy
Amina Khalid Ahmed is a 26-year-old award-winning self-taught baker and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the baking industry. She is the Founder and CEO of Minat Bakery, a fast-growing establishment renowned for producing and selling some of the finest cakes.
Widely known as Minat, she is also the proprietor of Minat Cake Zone Academy, a baking school that equips both aspiring and professional bakers with essential marketplace knowledge and skills. Through her academy, she has successfully trained and graduated over 350 students.
Her remarkable expertise and impact in the industry have earned her over 10 prestigious awards (listed below), as well as widespread recognition in major national media outlets, including Citizen TV, KTN, Daily Nation, and The Star Newspaper.
Beyond business, Amina is deeply committed to giving back to the Mombasa community, actively participating in humanitarian programs that uplift and empower others.
Amina Khalid continues to inspire and revolutionize the baking industry in Kenya and beyond, proving that passion, resilience, and innovation can turn dreams into reality.
