The US has invited Kenyan youths aged between 21-27 years to apply for the Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Program, an opportunity that will offer them free US J-1 visas.
The CEE program is a transformative initiative designed to empower young civil society leaders worldwide and offer US visas for selected fellows.
The visa ensures that participants can travel to the United States for their three-month practicum during the program without financial or logistical barriers.
Sponsored by the US Department of State, the program provides participants with the skills, networks, and resources needed to drive meaningful change in their communities.
"Are you a young Kenyan leader working to uplift your community? Apply for the CEE Program and gain hands-on experience in the US, build your leadership skills, and join a global network of changemakers," the statement by the US Embassy Nairobi read in part.
Each year, the program selects emerging youths in leadership from over 100 countries worldwide, offering them a year-long leadership development experience.
This includes a three-month practicum in the US, where fellows are matched with civil society organisations to gain hands-on experience.
The youths are also offered mentorship and the implementation of community engagement projects upon returning home.
A key highlight of the program is the Community Engagement Project (CEP), where fellows design and implement projects that tackle local challenges, ensuring that the knowledge gained during their US experience translates into real-world impact.
Among the benefits that participants enjoy are all paid travel expenses and a living stipend that covers accommodation, meals, and other daily expenses.
Other benefits are health insurance provided for the period of the program and project funding that provides support for implementing a community engagement project upon returning home.
Interested candidates must be between 21 and 27 years old and have two years of professional or volunteer experience working on community or civil society issues; one must also be an eligible citizen of the host country.
Kenyans interested in the program have until May 22 to apply for the 2026 cohort.
