41 Kenyan youths have been selected by the United States for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF).
Kasmuel McOure, who was among the influential mobilisers in last year's Gen Z protests, was spotted in a photo of the 41 Kenyan Youths, but our attempts to reach him to confirm whether he was selected for the program were unsuccessful.
The MWF is a U.S. government-sponsored program that brings young African leaders to the United States for academic and leadership training.
The six-week program aims to empower young Africans, who are typically between the ages of 25 and 35, through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities.
In a statement on Monday, June 26, the US embassy in Nairobi confirmed that the 41 'young Kenyans,' who are among 650 from Africa, who were drawn from different fields including media, science, and business, and different parts of the country, will participate in the fellowship between June 18 and July 29, 2025.
"From journalists and novelists to scientists and entrepreneurs, the newest Mandela Washington Fellows are established professionals who showcase Kenya’s exceptional depth and range of talent," the embassy stated.
"They hail from all regions of Kenya, including Turkana, Kisii, Laikipia, Nairobi, Isiolo, Mombasa, Kiambu, etc. All share a passion for building stronger communities," it added.
During the fellowship period, the selected individuals will be divided into three groups, including business leadership, civic leadership, and public management, where they will collaborate to gain skills and share their own leadership expertise.
This year's fellowship is set to be hosted by 26 leading U.S. educational institutions across 21 states.
After their return to the country, the United States Embassy has pledged to continue supporting them with more networking, mentorship, and funding opportunities for a positive impact in their communities.
"Kenyan and Nigerian fellows constitute the largest cohort from Africa, but young leaders from across the continent will join the program," it stated.
According to the acting Deputy Chief of Mission Carla Benini, it will not only play a key role in empowering the next generation of Kenyan leaders but will also reinforce the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all 41 of Kenya’s Mandela Washington Fellows. This program is one of the most prestigious and impactful initiatives we support,” Benini stated.
“The United States remains committed to empowering the next generation of Kenyan leaders, whether in business, civil society, or public service. Six decades of U.S.-Kenya relations are built around these opportunities for our citizens to learn from each other," she added.
