Farhan Abdi

My name is Farhan Abdi, a 26-year-old Kenyan from Moyale, Marsabit County, a border town between Kenya and Ethiopia. My journey is one of resilience, survival, determination, and using whatever opportunities i receive to create opportunities for others. I was raised in a humble family. My parents separated when i was young, and after my father remarried, he became largely absent from our lives. My mother single-handedly raised us through difficult circumstances, sacrifice, and resilience. Despite our limited resources, i became the only one among my siblings to progress through both high school and higher education, earning a Diploma in Pharmacy. Growing up in a border region also exposed me to experiences that changed my life. In 2017 and again in 2019, while crossing into Ethiopia to purchase basic necessities, i was forcibly taken for military recruitment. On both occasions, i escaped by jumping from a moving military vehicle and running through the forest back home. Many young people taken alongside us never returned. Surviving those experiences twice taught me that life is precious and that whatever life gives me, i should use it with purpose. My twin brother also took a very difficult path in search of a better life, migrating through Libya under extremely challenging circumstances before eventually reaching Finland. Our different journeys reflect the difficult choices many African young people are forced to make when opportunities are limited. My achievements and impact Despite coming from a background where i could not afford professional modelling schools, grooming programs, expensive wardrobes, travel, or specialized training, i pursued my passion for fashion, leadership, modelling and pageantry. In 2024, i entered Mr. World Kenya through a free open casting with no previous pageantry experience. Competing against contestants with considerably more training and resources, i reached the Top 10 on my first attempt and won the People’s Choice Award, becoming the public favourite. I was later selected to represent Somalia heritage internationally at Mr. Universe in India because of my heritage. Unfortunately, i could not attend because i was unable to secure the sponsorship required. Although that was painful, it strengthened my belief that lack of resources should never be mistaken for lack of talent or potential. Instead of allowing those challenges to stop me, i turned my attention toward my community. I founded Marsabit County Talent Showcase & Mr &Miss Moyale, a youth-focused initiative created to discover and nurture talent, promote Gender-Based Violence awareness, encourage positive life choices, and give young people a platform to believe in themselves. I want young people from places like Marsabit and Moyale to understand that where you come from should not determine how far you can go. I also believe that culture, faith, creativity, leadership and responsibility can exist together. Beyond the public work, there is another part of my journey that I have rarely spoken about. I have quietly been paying school fees for two orphaned girls since their primary school years. Today, one is in Form Three and the other is in Form Two. I have never done this expecting publicity, praise or anything in return. I simply believe that if i am able to help someone change the direction of their life, then i have a responsibility to do so. Why am i applying for the Wezesha Award? I am applying because the Wezesha Award represents more than receiving a trophy to me. It represents the recognition of a journey that has been built largely without privilege, financial backing or easy opportunities. I have survived circumstances that could have broken me, pursued excellence without having the resources many others had, represented Kenya and my heritage on competitive platforms, created opportunities for young people in my community, advocated for issues affecting vulnerable people, and quietly invested in the education of children who needed support. I am not applying because i believe I am perfect or because i expect something in return for the things i have done. I am applying because i believe stories of resilience, service and determination deserve to be heard and celebrated. Receiving the Wezesha Award would be deeply meaningful to me. It would be my FIRST-EVER trophy earned in my life, and i would carry it not simply as a personal achievement, but as a reminder of where i came from, everything i survived, the people who believed in me, and the young people i hope to inspire. Most importantly, i want my journey to send one message to other young Africans: You can come from very little and still become something meaningful. Your circumstances may shape your beginning, but they do not have to define your destination. I believe my story embodies the spirit of Wezesha resilience, empowerment, achievement and creating a positive impact beyond oneself.