10-year-old girl among seven Kenyans honoured with prestigious Diana Award
Her initiatives include book drives for underserved schools, fashion shows empowering visually impaired children, and community peace walks.
A 10-year-old Kenyan girl, Delight Ratesh Mc’Dan, joined six other inspiring youth from Kenya in receiving the UK’s coveted Diana Award, celebrating their exceptional contributions to society.
At just 10 years old, Delight is redefining what it means to lead.
Through her projects addressing youth crime, school dropouts, and teenage pregnancies, she has achieved transformative results.
Her initiatives include book drives for underserved schools, fashion shows empowering visually impaired children, and community peace walks.
Delight’s efforts have reduced school dropouts and teenage pregnancies by 50%, replacing despair with confidence and responsibility among her peers. Leading groups like ‘Destiny Explorers’ and ‘Delight Book Club’, she inspires other young people to take charge of their future. Supported by parents and peers, Delight aims to impact 1,000 children by 2025, with her work already drawing accolades and media attention.
James Odhiambo, 25, has turned compassion into action, impacting thousands of lives through campaigns like "Giving Simplified,’ which provides food and clothing to vulnerable children. His leadership in initiatives such as "Pamoja 4 Turkana," which addresses famine relief, and "Kumbuka," which promotes unity among marginalised youth, has showcased his unwavering commitment to social impact. As a member of the Millennium Campus Network, James has connected thousands to careers in social impact, mentoring young leaders, and inspiring local change.
As the chair of the Young Leaders Association (YOLA), 22-year-old Samuel Mburu Kairu combines his passion for youth leadership and environmental sustainability. A third-year sociology and gender student, Samuel has spearheaded initiatives like the Mawega Avocado Initiative, which promotes sustainable farming and biodiversity in rural Kenya. His work includes organizing the Kiambu Youth Development Conference, which drew over 1,200 participants, and tree-planting drives with partners like the Global Peace Foundation, which contributes to the target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032. Samuel’s focus on mental health, education, and entrepreneurship continues to inspire transformative change.
Christine Nyanchama Magoma, 25, is the founder of Tek4Peace Africa, a platform leveraging technology to foster social cohesion and development. Through her YouTube series, Christine raises awareness about critical issues, combating disinformation and engaging over 1,800 followers. Her contributions to peacebuilding and sustainable development have earned her advisory roles with UNOPS and recognition as an alumna of global programs like YALI RLC EA and the Hurford Youth Fellowship.
Glory Gakii Mwithali, 25, founded 'Growing Up and Liking It’ (GULI) to combat mental health stigma and promote accessible care. Her work has reached over 1,200 students and staff at Egerton University, where she conducts mental health literacy seminars and trains peer counsellors. Certified in Kenyan sign language, Gakii ensures inclusivity in her programs and promotes human rights-orientated approaches to mental health, impacting communities profoundly.
Through the Safina Development Organization, 22-year-old Ruto Kiprop Daniel addresses environmental and social challenges in Kenya's arid regions. His initiatives include training women in sustainable agriculture, planting trees with students, and providing digital skills training to girls. By partnering with organizations focused on climate justice and agroecology, Ruto empowers communities and advances sustainable development.
The Diana Award, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, recognised 200 exceptional young leaders from 45 countries during a virtual ceremony. The event featured a special appearance by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who reflected on his mother’s enduring legacy.
“I know my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys,” said Prince Harry in a recorded message. “My mother’s belief in the power of young people to drive positive change continues to inspire me every single day.”
For 25 years, the Diana Award has celebrated young changemakers who exemplify Princess Diana’s belief in youth as a force for transformation. As Olivier Uwishema’s achievements show, this legacy continues to inspire new generations of leaders to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.
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