The brother is a science teacher at a school in rural Kenya.
Chosen from among 10,000 nominees, Tabichi will also become global ambassador for the Varkey Foundation, which established the award. The international organization, founded in 2010 by Indian businessman Sunny Varkey, looks to raise the standards of education for students across the developing world.
In Kenya's Rift Valley, afflicted by drought, violence, and drug abuse, many students have either been orphaned or are being raised by only one parent.
Tabichi teaches science and math at Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School in Pwani Village, Kenya. The school is in need of resources and equipment, and has a student-teacher ratio of 58:1.
Tabichi often walks four miles to a cyber-cafe, to download educational material for his lessons. He also donates 80 percent of his income to aid poor students, and intends to donate his prize money to support the school.
Under Tabichi's instruction, the school's students have had success at national and international science competitions. More students have also been able to attend college, and girls' tests scores have particularly seen an increase.