This archive report was first published on 15 September 2021.
Phyllis Omido, a single mother from Mombasa County, has made history by being featured in the Time 100 list of most influential people in the world on September 15, 2021.
Omido was nominated by environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who praised her for her bravery in taking on top government agencies and her former employer to expose the lead poisoning scandal in the area.
According to Brockovich, Omido's son fell ill in 2010, and after a series of tests, doctors found that he had dangerously high levels of lead in his blood. This led Omido to take the battle to court, and with the help of the Uhuru Owino residents, they won a landmark compensation of Ksh1.3 billion from the Government.
Omido's fight for justice has inspired many, and her nomination by Brockovich is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. As Brockovich wrote in her nomination, 'People say you can't fight city hall; Phyllis Omido proves that not only can you fight, but you can also win.'
Omido was featured alongside powerful world celebrities, including Prince Harry and Megan Markle, singer Billie Eilish, gymnast Simone Biles, NFL athlete Tom Brady, producers Swizz Beats, Timbaland, and US President Joe Biden.
