Eisenhower Fellowships (EF) Kenya has announced the retirement of Nuru Mugambi, who for the last four years has served as Chairperson of the program that was named for America’s 34th President Dwight Eisenhower and brings together innovative leaders from across geographies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
Dr. Linda Ogallo, a Climate Change Adaptation Expert at the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre and an authority on climate science, its applications and sustainable development in the greater Horn of Africa, was appointed as the new Chairperson. She becomes the third elected chair of EF Kenya, while Mr. Nickson Otieno, an architect who played a leading role in developing Kenya’s green-building code, will serve as Vice Chair. Architect Emma Miloyo, Co-Founder and Director at Design Source and Kiota Schools, was re-elected as EF Kenya Treasurer. Dr. Irene Amoke, Executive Director of Kenya Wildlife Trust, was elected Co-Chair of the EF Kenya Programs Committee; she will serve alongside Ms. Mugambi.
During her tenure as chairperson of the board, Ms. Mugambi has spearheaded several initiatives to increase Kenya’s participation in the Philadelphia-based global fellowship program. In 2022 alone, a record six Kenyans were selected to join ascendant leaders worldwide in the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowships program.
“Through Eisenhower Fellowships, Kenya’s exceptional leaders have been showcased on a global stage,” she said. “EF Kenya has grown from strength to strength, and I appreciate the Kenya Fellows for all their efforts. I also appreciate our Eisenhower Fellowships global leadership and the US Embassy in Kenya for their support in conjunction with their US Alumni Engagement Program,” added Mugambi, who is undertaking graduate studies in Atlanta with a focus on sustainable finance and public investment policy.
“Eisenhower Fellowships allows leaders to see beyond themselves and expand their imaginations on what they can accomplish,” said Dr. Ogallo. “Having been through this journey myself, I look forward to working with the Kenyan fellows to continue to effect positive change in Kenya and the world. We also look forward to celebrating Eisenhower Fellowships’ 70th anniversary in 2023.”
Eisenhower Fellowships Kenya Fellows
EF Kenya is a local entity with members serving in a voluntary capacity. In addition to supporting Eisenhower Fellowships with recruitment, members collaborate on initiatives aligned with their fellowship programs. Notable Kenyan Fellows include Secretary to the Cabinet of Kenya Mercy Wanjau; Dr. David Ndii, Chairperson of H.E. President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) within the Executive Office of the President; Carol Musyoka, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corp.; Kathleen Openda, Chairperson of the Council of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication; Sumayya Hassan CEO of Takaful Insurance of Africa; Dr. Sam Thenya, Founder of Nairobi Women’s Hospital; and the late Lorna Irungu Macharia, former Managing Director at Gina Din Group. Directors of EF Kenya include Mary Ang’awa, Retired High Court Judge and Vice Chair of the Independent Ethics Board of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA); Charles Kahura Mbaya, Principal Architect at Space Form Architecture, Engineering & Design; and Dr. Edward Mungai, Partner and Lead Consultant at KCIC Consulting.
In addition, EF Kenya supports the development of youth leaders through the sponsorship of international programs. Kenyan youth leaders who have benefited from the capacity-building opportunities are Member of Parliament (Nominated – ODM) Hon. Umulkheir Harun Mohamed, the second youngest Member of the National Assembly; Doris Kamathi, East Africa Regional Program Manager at Creative Action Institute; and Susan Lankisa, Community Development Worker at Collaboration of Women in Development (CWID).
Eisenhower Fellows and youth delegates are committed to advancing Eisenhower Fellowships’ mission of creating a more peaceful, prosperous and just world. For more information, visit www.efworld.org.
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