By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
In President Ruto’s initiative set to elevate leadership education in Kenya, he has announced plans to establish the Barack Obama School of Leadership at the University of Nairobi.
This ambitious project aims to model itself after the prestigious Kennedy School of Leadership at Harvard University and has garnered enthusiastic support from former U.S. President Barack Obama.
During a recent address, President Ruto shared the genesis of this initiative, recounting how his visit to the United States sparked a major opportunity for advancing leadership development in Kenya.
“When I was in America, I requested an appointment with President Barack Obama and I asked him for only one thing, to help set up a leadership school at the University of Nairobi, which we would name the Barack Obama School of Leadership. He agreed to mobilize resources and plans to visit Kenya next year to establish it,” President Ruto said.
The President’s announcement also included a call to action for the young elected Kenyan leaders to take advantage of this opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills.
“I urge young elected leaders to seize this opportunity to enhance their leadership potential and skills,” President Ruto added.
The establishment of the school is not just a homage to Barack Obama’s legacy but also a substantial commitment and investment to nurturing Kenya’s and Africa’s future leaders.
According to the head of state, the proposed Barack Obama School of Leadership at the University of Nairobi aims to offer a robust curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, ethical leadership, and effective governance.
President Obama’s plan to visit Kenya next year underscores the commitment to making this vision a reality, with the potential to inspire a new generation of leaders dedicated to public service and societal progress not only in Kenya but also across the African continent.