Kenya School of Government to launch Raila Odinga Leadership Academy
The Kenya School of Government (KSG) has announced plans to launch the Raila Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy in honour of the late former Prime Minister.
The school said the academy would be officially launched at a ceremony presided over by Mama Ida Odinga, who will be the chief guest.
According to KSG, the launch will mark a milestone in preserving Raila’s legacy of visionary leadership and dedication to public service.
“The launch will represent a pivotal milestone in KSG’s mandate to build competent, values-based leadership that integrates results and fosters a culture of trust and transparency in the management of the public service,” the school said.
Designated as a centre of excellence, the academy seeks to address some of Kenya’s and Africa’s most pressing challenges, including governance at national and county levels, economic modelling, the promotion of values and sustainable development.
Its work will be anchored on five pillars: Pan-African unity, inclusive leadership, good governance, education and innovation, and peace and justice.
KSG director general Prof Nura Mohamed said the school had led the design, conceptualisation and operationalisation of the academy.
“As Kenya’s premier public sector capacity development institution, the Kenya School of Government has led the design, conceptualisation and operationalisation of the new academy, integrating modern governance frameworks into public administration and strengthening institutional capacity for effective service delivery,” Mohamed said.
The academy will incorporate specialised hubs and other facilities and programmes to support its mandate.
These will include a Policy and Strategic Foresight Hub, a Productivity Hub and a Regional Leadership and Governance Hub.
Other planned initiatives include AI skilling and digital competency development, a public sector leadership competency framework, a state-of-the-art governance lab and a mental health and wellness programme.
“Building on KSG’s national mandate, multi-campus presence, experienced faculty and strategic partnerships, it will deliver executive leadership programmes, governance training, policy advisory and institutional capacity-building solutions that respond to the evolving needs of governments and regional institutions,” Mohamed said.
The institution will also establish a Grassroots and Community Engagement hub, known as KSG Mashinani, to extend learning beyond formal classrooms.
“The academy will introduce the ‘Under-the-Tree Series Leadership Programme’—a mobile learning model designed to deliver civic education, climate resilience strategies and leadership development directly to local communities,” Mohamed said.
The director general said the academy’s establishment had been made possible through support from industrialist Manu Chandaria and the Chandaria Foundation.
In recognition of the partnership, the academy will have a dedicated wing housing the foundation, alongside an innovation hub intended to empower young people through creativity, innovation and youth-focused initiatives.
“The academy will collaborate with like-minded institutions regionally and internationally to facilitate public service transformation through strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, capacity development and innovation,” Mohamed said.
The academy will also feature a Raila Odinga Knowledge Management Hub and e-Museum, alongside the Raila Odinga Library and Public Service Museum of Kenya.
The digital repository and public encyclopaedia will preserve historical public service policies, administrative circulars and transformative political philosophies, providing a reference point for emerging leaders across Africa.
Mohamed said KSG intends to position the academy as a leading continental think tank through monthly engagements involving public and private sector leaders, annual symposia dubbed “The Kenya We Want” and quarterly forums with retired senior public officials.
The announcement comes as Kenya prepares to mark the first anniversary of Raila’s death on Thursday, October 15.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India. He was 80.
