Mwanase Ahmed was born on Lamu Island, Kenya, but has lived and worked across the world, from the United States and France to Senegal and Central America. As a young girl studying abroad, she was drawn to activism, marching in protests, questioning systems and finding her voice in the chaos of the streets. When she returned to Kenya, she focused on community and impact. From building sustainable eco-lodges in Kilifi, to coaching kids, writing policies, hosting dialogue forums and rallying youth across counties, Mwanase has consistently chosen people over comfort.

She is fondly known as the co-founder and former CEO of Distant Relatives Ecolodge & Backpackers in Kilifi, which became a model for community-first, environmentally-conscious tourism in Africa. She has also sat on advisory councils, worked with county governments, trained women leaders, led fundraising drives, organized protests and created safe spaces for healing and resistance.

Mwanase has also spoken on international stages and continues to lend her voice to movements pushing for justice, equity and unity across the continent. She has faced several challenges like being arrested, followed and threatened but she still remains determined to show up and fight for justice.

Watch her story on #ShangaziPower here: