H.E. Mokiemo Jean Felix, Congolese Ambassador to Rwanda, presents the Top 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Award to Dr Stanley Kamau of Ahadi Kenya Trust (Centre) ,Looking on is Dr Baroness Paulette, Group CEO of The Business Executive.
By Peace Muthoka
September 25, 2026 – Kenyan humanitarian and community health promoter Dr Stanley Kamau has been honoured for his long-standing service to vulnerable communities, receiving a Community Service Honour at the 2026 edition of the 100 Africa Most Influential Persons Awards in Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr Kamau received the recognition during a ceremony held at M Hotel on Friday, September 25, alongside other personalities from across Africa whose professional and community contributions have earned them recognition under the annual awards programme.
The honour comes after years of work with communities facing social and health challenges, particularly vulnerable children and families.
Dr Kamau is widely associated with the campaign against jigger infestation, a cause that grew from his childhood experience with the problem in his village in Murang’a County and later developed into a broader community initiative.
His work has since expanded to education, child welfare and other programmes aimed at supporting disadvantaged families. Through Ahadi Kenya Trust, some of the recent interventions have included providing shoes and sanitary products to schoolchildren to promote their health, dignity and continued participation in education.
While accepting the award, Dr Kamau thanked the Government of Kenya for its support and cooperation in initiatives aimed at reaching communities in need. He also acknowledged the contribution of partners and supporters who have helped extend the work to different communities.
Beyond his community initiatives, Dr Kamau is involved in the health sector, where he serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Kenyatta National Hospital and chairs its Audit Board Committee. He has also participated in business and community development initiatives.
The Kigali ceremony brought together personalities from different African countries and sectors. Among those recognised in the 2026 edition were Tanzanian tourism entrepreneur and philanthropist Zainab Ansell, who received a Certificate of Honour, and Nigerian health-sector professional Dr Mories Atoki, who was also among the recipients.
Ansell, the founder of Zara Tanzania Adventures and Zara Tanzania Charity, has linked her work to tourism, hospitality and community support. Atoki, meanwhile, has highlighted healthcare, partnerships and sustainable development as key areas of his professional work.
The 2026 awardees join other African professionals who have been recognised through previous editions of the programme. Among them is Ethiopian technology entrepreneur Zekarias Afework, who was named among the 100 awardees in 2024 for his work with technology company Tech 5.
For Dr Kamau, the Kigali recognition marks another chapter in a journey that began at community level and has grown to include health, education and social support initiatives.
He has maintained that recognition was not the reason behind his work, but rather a by-product of serving communities. His focus has remained on responding to people’s needs and working with partners to provide practical assistance to families facing hardship.
That approach has shaped his involvement in the fight against jiggers and initiatives supporting children and families, as well as efforts to address basic health and welfare needs.
The latest honour recognises that work while also highlighting the contribution of the partners, supporters and communities who have been part of the journey.
For Dr Kamau, the impact of the work remains measured by the people reached and the difference made in their lives, with the Kigali award coming as recognition alongside the service rather than the reason for it.
