Former President Uhuru Kenyatta with Nominated Senator Crystal Asige during the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) Annual Alumni Conference at Windsor Hotel, Nairobi on December 16, 2025./HANDOUT
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta with GAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Senator Crystal Asige and other dignitaries at the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) Annual Alumni Conference at Windsor Hotel, Nairobi on December 16, 2025/Office of the 4th president of Kenya/XFormer President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on young
Africans to seize leadership opportunities now, warning that those who wait for
the future to hand them power risk missing their moment.
Speaking on Thursday during the IGAD Leadership
Academy (ILA) Annual Alumni Conference at Windsor Hotel, Nairobi, Uhuru told
delegates that the notion of “leaders of tomorrow” is misleading, urging the
youth to act boldly in shaping Africa’s destiny.
“If you continue believing you are the leaders of
tomorrow, that tomorrow will never come,” he said.
“You are the leaders of today. Your ideas, your
courage, your personal commitment will shape the future of Africa.”
He reminded the young audience that Kenya’s early
leaders including Tom Mboya and Kenneth Matiba began shaping the nation in
their twenties, proving that youth is not a barrier to impact.
Uhuru applauded young people across the region who are
taking initiative on social and humanitarian issues, noting that their unity
proves Africa’s renewal has already begun.
He described the gathering as “a movement of young
leaders committed to transforming the continent.”
The conference themed Harnessing youth leadership to drive Africa’s growth, brought
together alumni of the IGAD Leadership Academy, members of the diplomatic corps
and regional leaders.
The leaders present were IGAD Executive Secretary Dr
Workneh Gebeyehu, Senator Crystal Asige among other dignitaries in celebration
of a new generation of ethical, collaborative African leadership.
In his address, Workneh emphasised on the importance
of investing in young leaders as the foundation for lasting peace and regional
unity.
He noted that the challenges facing the Horn of Africa are not caused by fate but by human choices, and that the next generation must be equipped to make better ones.
Speaking about the purpose of the ILA, he said the
goal was to bring together brilliant young minds to learn from one another and
build networks that transcend borders.
“If we are to achieve real regional cooperation, we
must first cultivate the minds of the youth,” Workneh said.
“Their destinies are intertwined, and the future of
our region depends on how well they learn to work together today.”
Senator Asige challenged the young leaders to approach
leadership with depth, purpose and spiritual grounding.
She encouraged the youth to pursue excellence so
remarkable that it cannot be ignored, reminding them that true success begins
with humility and hard work.
Other speakers at the event included Ms Riina-Riikka
Heikka, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya and Tomonobu Hori, Deputy Chief of
Mission, Embassy of Japan-Kenya.
