Twenty-six years ago at the famous Bondeni Maternity Hospital, a boy, Kennedy Kanyi came into the world born of Lucy Wangui.
The boy, though brought up by a single parent, was to grow up into an ambitious and successful businessman. But as Kanyi says, he has always been focused on serving humanity.
After attending Muslim Primary School in Kaptembwa, Kanyi joined Solai Boys High school where he did his O’level exams in 2009.
The following few years were spent at the German Training Institute where Kanyi did a diploma in Business Management. He was later to join the Goethe Institut where he studied Deutsche.
One year after his graduation, Kanyi started working in the office of the Controller of Budget up to 2014. He then joined a German Kenya organisation, KIDI (www.kidi-hilfe.de) as the country’s project coordinator.
It was while he was working here that he was able to conceptualise, with funding from KIDI and in partnership with the County Government of Laikipia the Tigithi Youth Polytechnic.
Kennedy Kanyi who negotiated for funding of the Kshs. 25 million project. The County Government of Laikipia only came in to provide water, power and ablution facilities.
Kanyi is a teenage mentor based in Nakuru. He is a benefactor of several children’s homes in Nakuru and other charity homes especially for the elderly.
Acting is also in Kennedy Kanyi’s blood. In 2012, he joined the Kenya Actors’ guild and has featured in local programs like Serikali ya Bibi and Chariot of Love.
Being an environmentally conscious person, Kanyi has been involved in the reforestation of Karura Forest as a member of the Youths Defending Karura group.
In addition, Kanyi is a member of the Ficha Uchi initiative. The initiative’s goal is to provide school uniforms to children from poor families.
One thing that Kennedy Kanyi has always been passionate about is empowering youths. In line with this, he has been organising football tournaments for young men from Nakuru East but he feels that this should be taken further.
“I would love to see the young people from Nakuru exposed further. It is my desire to one day have them interact and compete with others from not only outside Nakuru but also the Country,” says Kanyi.
His focus is not only on sports, however. Kanyi says that he has been able to meet and relate with some very talented youth in different fields and says he’s amazed by the level of talent they exhibit. He says he would like to mentor them and help them actualise their innovations.
Kanyi had sought to represent residents of Flamingo Ward, Nakuru Town East but lost in the Jubilee Party nominations. Unlike others who decided to defect from the party and vie as independents, Kanyi stuck with Jubilee choosing to support the winner, Eddy Kiragu.
His political journey started way back in 2010. He worked for The National Alliance (TNA) party between 2012 and 2013 as a delegate and a Nairobi Youth League member.
Business-wise, Kennedy Kanyi is the founder and proprietor of Luxury Rides, Nakuru. Luxury Rides is a car hire, rental and sales company through which he has been able to create employment both directly and indirectly.
Kanyi is married to Caroline Wangui and the couple has been blessed with one daughter, Melissa Kanyi. Kanyi is a Christian.