A mural of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga displayed at the newly launched Regional Leadership and Governance Academy at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku / X
President William Ruto has officially launched the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete, Nairobi.
The move marks a significant milestone in Kenya's efforts to strengthen leadership development, public governance and regional policy research.
The academy, unveiled during the Kenya School of Government's centenary celebrations, has been established to serve as a premier regional centre for leadership training, governance excellence, innovation and public policy.
It is intended to equip current and future leaders from Kenya and across Africa with the skills, values and knowledge needed to build accountable, ethical and transformative institutions.
According to the Kenya School of Government and its partners, the institution is being launched in recognition of the leadership legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, whose decades-long public service, advocacy for democratic reforms and governance have shaped Kenya's political landscape.
The academy is also part of KSG's long-term vision as the institution marks 100 years of training public servants.
Speaking during an earlier signing of the partnership establishing the academy, industrialist and philanthropist Manu Chandaria described Raila Odinga as "one of Kenya's most consequential leaders," adding that the academy would help shape future leaders in both government and opposition while preserving his legacy for generations to come.
The centre is expected to provide executive leadership programmes, governance research, policy dialogue, innovation initiatives and capacity-building courses for public servants, elected leaders, diplomats and professionals from across the region.
It also seeks to promote ethical leadership, regional integration and good governance in line with Kenya's vision of becoming a competitive knowledge-based economy.
The launch formed one of the highlights of KSG's centenary celebrations, which brought together senior government officials, diplomats, county leaders, scholars and development partners.
The event also featured high-level discussions on building national wealth, public sector reforms and enhancing Kenya's global competitiveness.
President Ruto said the academy will embody the leadership spirit, vision and aspirations associated with Raila Odinga's remarkable public service journey while serving as a centre of excellence for leadership and governance across Africa.
He noted that investing in leadership development remains essential to building stronger public institutions capable of addressing emerging governance challenges.
The establishment of the academy reinforces the Kenya School of Government's role as the country's principal institution for training public officers and reflects a growing emphasis on developing values-driven leadership capable of advancing democratic governance, accountability and sustainable development throughout the continent.
