Wangari Maathai Foundation, named after Nobel Peace Prize environmentalist the late Prof Wangari Mathai has named a young female politician-cum activist the first winner of the unsung hero campaign.
The foundation recognized 31-year-old Editar Ochieng’s efforts in helping out victims of sexual violence and advocating for women rights.
Ochieng is among those who contested for Kibra parliamentary seat following the death of Ken Okoth last year.
Ochieng currently runs the Feminist for Peace Human Rights and Justice Centre and has greatly impacted the lives of Kibera residents through her social welfare.
She has been offering door-to-door food aid and masks ever since coronavirus was reported in Kenya.
Ochieng, who was born and raised in the slums say that she “has seen women suffer; their rights infringed on but lacked the confidence to stand up for themselves” which is why she started the centre to help them get through the societal hurdles.
With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly taking a toll on Kibera, she has not been able to offer much support like before and sexual violence cases have also increased.
This has, however, not stopped her from speaking a word of encouragement to every household she visits while donating food and masks to the vulnerable in the community and sexual violence survivors.
Ochieng has also been instrumental in passing on of important COVID-19 information to Kibera residents where the virus has reached alarming levels.
The Wangari Maathai Foundation continues to inspire youths to be leaders of courage and character, to embody the works of the late Prof Wangari Maathai.
