A Kenya Prisons Service officer has been selected for a unique and prestigious leadership program in the United States.
Vincent Ochola Gumbi, a Senior Superintendent at the Kenya Prisons Service, was handpicked by Donald Trump’s government to take part in the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship.
The U.S Embassy confirmed Ochola’s selection in a statement on Tuesday, July 29, adding that the officer, who currently serves at the Kenya Prisons Service Headquarters, would depart for the U.S. in August.
According to the embassy, the fellowship program will last 10 months and will take place at the Virginia Commonwealth University.
“Hongera Vincent Ochola Gumbi for your selection to the 2025 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship. Vincent, a Senior Superintendent at Kenya Prisons Service Headquarters departs Kenya in August to join Virginia Commonwealth University for the 10-month fellowship,” a statement from the U.S embassy read. Sponsored by the US Department of State, the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program is an exchange initiative established in 1978 to honour Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey’s legacy and dedication to public service.
Among the components of the program include the Humphrey Seminar, individualized course plans, workshops, and a Global Leadership Forum held in Washington, DC.
One of the eligibility criteria to qualify for the program is a history of working at one’s home country for the last five years, prior to application.
This means applicants must have at least five years of full time professional experience in their relevant field and hold a bachelor’s degree in the same.
Applicants must also be proficient in English, with the US requiring candidates to submit their scores in TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo as part of the application process.
Incidentally, Ochola’s selection comes three months after Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) cadets were selected to join U.S. military academies.
In May, it was announced that Cadet Moses Kipsang would be joining the United States Airforce Academy ,while Cadet Philemon Munjuri joined the U.S Naval academy.
KDF, in partnership with the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), held a special event in Nairobi in May to honour the cadets, during which General Michael Langley, the head of USAFRICOM, said he was delighted to welcome the duo to the US military academies.
