Kwale — Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) Founder and CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede was on Tuesday crowned a Kaya Elder by the Mijikenda Kaya Elders Association during a colorful and spiritually rich ceremony held deep within the sacred Kaya Similani Hill in Kwale County.
The event, marked by ancestral blessings and traditional rituals, symbolized a bridge between indigenous wisdom and modern community-driven development.
Dr. Odede was adorned with traditional Kaya regalia, signifying his new role as a custodian of community values and development.
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"Being welcomed as a Kaya Elder is one of my greatest honors. Culture is the foundation upon which true development stands. When we honor our heritage, we strengthen the social fabric that holds our communities together," Dr. Odede said.
The globally recognized social entrepreneur, who rose from Nairobi's Kibera slum, described the honor as both a personal milestone and a testament to the power of grassroots movements rooted in cultural identity.
"Development is not about imposing ideas from outside; it's about building from the ground up, using the strength of our people and our culture. When we combine innovation with tradition, we unlock Kenya's true potential," he stated.
SHOFCO has implemented several development programs across the Coast region -- including scholarships, water distribution projects, GBV prevention initiatives, youth and women empowerment programs, school libraries, community centers, and SACCOs.
The Kaya Elders praised Dr. Odede's commitment to social transformation, noting that his leadership has directly improved the lives of marginalized communities nationwide.
"A true leader listens to the people and uplifts them from within. Dr. Odede embodies these values. His work shows that development and culture complement each other. That's why we have crowned him as one of us," said Mwinyi Mwalimu, Chairman of the Mijikenda Kaya Elders Association.
Dr. Odede urged elders to resist political manipulation ahead of the 2027 elections, calling for unity and locally driven growth.
"Politicians come to you for blessings, but once elected, they forget you. This region has great potential. I urge you to lead development and avoid being used for politics," he said.
Vice Chairman Kalulu Mwamzuka emphasized that honoring modern leaders through traditional rites strengthens intergenerational ties and reaffirms the relevance of heritage in modern Kenya.
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"When people like Dr. Odede embrace our culture, they remind the youth that our heritage is not a relic of the past -- it's a tool for the future," Mwamzuka said.
The ceremony concluded with a communal meal symbolizing unity and shared purpose.
SHOFCO's Shofco Urban Network (SUN) currently boasts over 600,000 members in the coastal region -- mostly women and youth -- and serves 4.1 million people annually across 40 counties in Kenya.
