Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged young Africans to take up leadership roles now, warning that postponing action in anticipation of a distant future risks squandering critical opportunities.
Speaking on Tuesday at the IGAD Leadership Academy (ILA) Annual Alumni Conference held at Windsor Hotel, Kenyatta challenged the popular narrative that young people are merely “leaders of tomorrow.”
“If you continue believing you are the leaders of tomorrow, that tomorrow will never come,” he told delegates.
“You are the leaders of today. Your ideas, your courage and your personal commitment will shape the future of Africa.”
He reminded participants that some of Kenya’s most influential figures, including Tom Mboya and Kenneth Matiba, began shaping the nation’s political and social landscape in their twenties, demonstrating that youth is not a barrier to impact.
The conference, themed Harnessing Youth Leadership to Drive Africa’s Growth, brought together ILA alumni, members of the diplomatic corps and regional leaders. Among those in attendance were IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu and Kenyan Senator Crystal Asige, alongside other dignitaries, to celebrate the rise of a new generation of ethical and collaborative African leaders.
In his keynote address, Kenyatta praised young people across the region for taking initiative on social and humanitarian issues, saying their collective efforts show that Africa’s renewal is already underway.
He described the gathering as “a movement of young leaders committed to transforming the continent.”
Dr. Gebeyehu underscored the importance of investing in youth leadership as a cornerstone of lasting peace and regional unity.
He noted that many of the challenges facing the Horn of Africa stem from human choices rather than fate, stressing the need to equip the next generation to make better decisions.
“If we are to achieve real regional cooperation, we must first cultivate the minds of the youth,” he said.
“Their destinies are intertwined, and the future of our region depends on how well they learn to work together today.”
Senator Asige urged young leaders to approach leadership with depth, purpose and spiritual grounding, encouraging them to pursue excellence so compelling it cannot be ignored. She emphasized that meaningful success is rooted in humility and hard work.
Other speakers included Riina-Riikka Heikka, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, and Tomonobu Hori, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Kenya, both of whom echoed calls for stronger youth-driven regional cooperation.
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