Beneficiaries of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Fellowship on March 3, congregated in Kisumu to celebrate the successes of the program.
The event baptised YALI Fest 2024 provided an opportunity for the fellows to showcase their innovations, and keep the networks built during the fellowship.
Brian Magwaro, Mandela Washington Fellow and head of the YALI Fest Steering Committee said the festival has ensured sustained communications between the youths, the US Embassy and the County Governments while highlighting the potential of the fellows.
We have a lot of YALI fellows in the political spaces, entrepreneurship, and other activities across the country, and this is the spirit we want to grow among the young people
Brian Magwaro
He said many of the fellows have been doing well in leadership and entrepreneurship, and supporting each other.
“We have a lot of YALI fellows in the political spaces, entrepreneurship, and other activities across the country, and this is the spirit we want to grow among the young people,” said Magwaro.
Rachel Wainaian, CEO Film Village of Kenya who attended the fellowship in 2014 noted that the program has transformed the thinking of many youths, especially in working with various communities.
“The program gives the fellows some special opportunities, for example in accessing grants, as well as networks across Africa and beyond,” she noted.
He noted that similar celebrations will be held in Nairobi and Mombasa in the next few weeks.
About YALI
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the founding flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative.
The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries.
Each year, Fellows participate in six-week leadership institutes, studying business, civic engagement, or public management at U.S. colleges or universities.
During their time on campus, Fellows connect with Americans and local U.S. communities through community service and other cultural experiences.
As a department, we are keen in ensuring that we create an enabling environment to enable the young people to start their businesses, and grow them sustainably
Bovince Ochieng, Kisumu County Trade Chief Officer
Shakaria Buckson, Representative of the American Spaces, at the US Embassy, noted that the program which entails three carders; leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurship is aimed at inspiring the next generation, and keep each other connected.
“My call to the youth is that we have the power to be the change that we want to be,” she said.
Kisumu County Chief Officer for Trade, Industry and Tourism Bovince Ochieng said the county government has embraced the platform and has been providing opportunities to the young people.
He said through his department, the county government has created numerous support activities to young people, including access to financing, licensing, access to markets, among others so as to minimise bottlenecks in business.
“As a department, we are keen in ensuring that we create an enabling environment to enable the young people to start their businesses, and grow them sustainably,” said Ochieng.