Kutuma Salaams… Kubadilisha Maisha – Raphael Obonyo

There are two standout characteristics for a restless dreamer. The first is that you get exhausted by situations that limit you and subsequently strive to soar to the peak of who you’re meant to be. The second is that challenges are your best friend – they allow you to resiliently look for ways to solve them.

Raphael Obonyo’s upbringing began with a challenge, poverty. He was born and raised in Korogocho. A humble upbringing that ensured his basic human needs were met. He was in his teenage years when he finally thought to earn a living. There was just one problem, no one was giving the youth, more specifically those from informal settlements such as Korogocho, work. Why? There was no direct response but speculation pointed to personal background preference.

That was the second obstacle for Raphael, but his determination only grew. When Raphael joined the University of Nairobi, it was time to acquire the knowledge that would hopefully land him a good job. In 2005, he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Financial Management Services before further equipping himself at The Kenya Institute of Management. Raphael’s time at both institutions gave him insight into the increasing rates of unemployment amongst the youth.

Fortunately for him, after his undergraduate degree, he got a job, where he worked as a Program Associate at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) for two years before taking on the role of Project Manager for a youth project at Cordaid. What better way to engage with the youth than through projects with them? Well, his four-year tenure at Cordaid shaped him into a man that was more passionate about the youth – ensuring they wouldn’t just sit and wait to be employed but instead aim to start their own businesses.

As he navigates through life today, Raphael has a lot of success stories under his belt. He was the co-founder and convener of The Youth Congress – a youth-led initiative in Kenya dedicated to providing young men and women in urban informal settlements with a platform to enhance their leadership. Raphael is the founder of one of the first community radio stations in Kenya – Koch FM, which has employed a number of youth interested in audio production. Additionally, he is a co-founder of Miss Koch Kenya – a girl’s education initiative that has, since its launch in 2001, managed to enrol over 300 girls at local secondary schools.

Raphael Obonyo’s restlessness has seen him rise to great heights, beyond Africa. In 2013, he was honoured as one of Global Diplomatic Forum’s Global Young Diplomats. Two years later, Youth Village named him Africa’s Most Inspirational Youth.

A #KeExcellence restless dreamer!