For Fredrick, a missed opportunity to pursue studies and work abroad when he joined a local university prompted him to seek a platform to shape young people into change-makers for a better future.
Stand Up Shout Out (Suso), a movement he started in 2013 while studying at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, has spread across Africa over the years.
He registered it as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for ease of resource mobilisation and regulatory compliance and serves as the CEO.
“Our organisation is all about training the youth to be self-sufficient. Suso is a platform for change-makers and leaders of today,” he says.
"Our organisation is all about training the youth to be self-sufficient. Suso is a platform for change-makers and leaders of today."
Fredrick puts the movement’s membership at thousands spread across 21 African countries. Locally, Suso is in 39 counties, with its headquarters in Kibra, Nairobi.
Having grown up in Ngong, Kajiado where he was surrounded by nature and wildlife, Fredrick has ensured environmental conservation is incorporated in the trainings as he believes it will equip the leaders to better fight climate change,
His passion for the youth, environment, and wildlife has earned him an appointment to the board of trustees at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
“Our key targets are climate action and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. What excites me most is seeing the many young people under Stand Up Shout Out stable become ambassadors of change in the society,” he says.
Fredrick is the youngest member of the board of trustees at the KWS, a position he says has been an eye-opener and handed him a global platform.
“Being recognised by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his successor, William Ruto, has been a highlight for me. The former gave us a bus, and Dr Ruto appointed me to the board of trustees of KWS, the youngest member,” he adds.
Besides Suso’s focus on wildlife conservation, climate action and shaping the future of young people, the NGO offered timely intervention to the Kibra community at the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
With the support of donors, Suso provided food to a vast population in Kibra for nearly a year when the global economic meltdown had ravaged household incomes.
John Mutua