Inaugural SPICY Awards Celebrate Changemakers in Nairobi

By Wilson

NAIROBI, Kenya,

 September 12, 2026 

 Changemakers from Kenya and beyond were celebrated in Nairobi on Saturday during the inaugural SPICY Awards 2026, an event that brought together individuals whose work is driving social, economic, cultural and community transformation.

Held at Mageuzi Hub in Hurlingham, the awards marked the launch of a new platform dedicated to recognising people and organisations whose contributions are creating meaningful impact, often away from the mainstream spotlight.

Organised by Spice Without Borders, the awards recognised changemakers across five broad categories: Activists, Creatives, Entrepreneurs, Initiators and Innovators. The categories encompass diverse fields including education, human rights, entrepreneurship, innovation, community development, social justice and environmental action.

Anchored on the theme

 “From the Margins to the Mainstage,”

 the awards seek to provide visibility to individuals whose work is transforming communities but whose contributions may not always attract widespread public recognition.

Speaking during the ceremony, Spice Without Borders Founder and Chief Catalyst Erick Inghatt Matsanza said the concept of “spice” was intended to reflect the diversity, individuality and distinct abilities of changemakers.

Using chillies of different colours as a metaphor, Matsanza said every individual possesses a unique ability that can be harnessed to address challenges and create positive change within society.

“You have the spice in you,” he told participants, urging them to continue pursuing change from wherever they are while building partnerships that can amplify their collective impact.

The inaugural Awarding Board was chaired by Daniel Juma Omondi, Africa Regional Representative and Kenya Country Lead of the Global Peace Foundation, who provided leadership and oversight throughout the awards process.

Omondi said the credibility of the awards would depend on their ability to recognise substance, character and measurable contribution rather than popularity or public visibility.

“Today is more than an awards ceremony; it is a celebration of courage, creativity, enterprise, initiative, innovation and service,” he said.

He added that recognition comes with a responsibility to ensure that awards celebrate impact, character, integrity, innovation and contribution to society rather than merely rewarding visibility.

Among those honoured was Bovince Ochieng, Kisumu County Chief Officer for Education, who received recognition for his contribution to the education sector. His award underscored the importance of public servants and education leaders who use their positions to expand opportunities and improve outcomes within their communities.

Other notable honourees included Kenyan environmental and civic advocate Anita Soina, who was recognised as Concerned Citizen of the Year; Switzerland based transformation catalyst Rima Chopra, recognised for Social Justice Campaign of the Year; mental health advocate Samuel Luchemo; and Mary Jack of Vanuatu, recognised for her work in diversity and inclusion.

Several international recipients who were unable to attend physically participated virtually, reinforcing the international outlook of the new platform.

In a recorded message from Switzerland, Chopra said meaningful transformation often begins quietly, with many changemakers spending years doing important work before receiving public recognition.

Omondi urged nominees and award recipients to view the recognition not as an endpoint but as an incentive to deepen their contribution to society.

“Whether or not you leave here carrying a trophy, your nomination itself says that somebody has seen your work, your sacrifice and your impact,” he said.

Omondi was also honoured with the Founding Awarding Board Leadership Recognition for his stewardship of the inaugural board and his contribution to establishing the standards and principles that guided the awards.

He commended Matsanza for conceptualising the initiative and expressed optimism that the SPICY Awards would grow into a credible international platform for identifying, celebrating and supporting emerging changemakers.

“Years from now, when this platform has grown across Kenya, Africa and perhaps the world, we will remember that it started with a community of people who believed that changemakers deserved to be seen, celebrated and encouraged,” Omondi said.

The SPICY Awards are part of a broader Spice Without Borders initiative aimed at connecting grassroots changemakers to networks, partnerships, visibility and opportunities. Organisers say the initiative is designed to extend beyond trophies by creating a community where changemakers can exchange ideas, learn from one another and develop partnerships.

The inaugural ceremony brought together activists, entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators, community leaders and development actors, laying the groundwork for what organisers hope will become an annual international platform celebrating individuals transforming communities from the grassroots.

Closing his remarks, Omondi captured the spirit and ambition of the initiative in a phrase that resonated throughout the evening,

“The spice is rising, and may it continue to rise.”