Four Kenyans secure spot in prestigious Future Leaders Connect programme

Four young Kenyans have emerged winners in the British Council’s prestigious Future Leaders Connect programme 2019.

The four were among eight shortlisted candidates who took to the podium on Thursday evening at the University of Nairobi.

In a tight race to win a spot, the contestants had just six minutes to persuade a panel of judges how their ideas could make their country and the world a better place.

The four are; Sharon Adhiambo- a Public Sector Economist, Alphaxrd Gitau Ndungu- a Young Farmer and a master’s student at the University of Nairobi , Faith Nafula Wafula- an advocate for gender equality and human rights and Dr Phyllis Maina- a Medical Officer of Health in a remote rural community in semi-arid parts of Laikipia North in Kenya.

The winners will now travel to the UK in October to undergo advanced leadership training at the Møller Institute, University of Cambridge.

They are also scheduled to meet with British MPs at the Houses of Parliament and other international leaders to discuss their policy ideas.

In previous years, participants have debated peace and education with former UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon, and presented their policy ideas at 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister’s residence.

In this year’s programme, 50 winners have been selected from more than 15,000 applications around the world.

Tim Kipchumba, a member of the pioneer group of 2017 says the knowledge and networking gained has given him a great impetus to some of his ideas of working and supporting young people through his mentorthon programme.

Future Leaders Connect is a long-term network of emerging policy leaders made up of exceptional individuals aged 18-35 from around the world.

Members of the network are given the opportunity to develop their policy making expertise, make valuable connections and gain the skills to have real impact.

The prestigious programme, run by the British Council – the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, aims to develop the next generation of globally connected leaders who will create positive change through effective policy making.

Among the countries participating in the programme include Canada, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Tunisia, USA, plus the four nations of the UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.