27 April 2008
Nairobi — Six Kenyan professionals have been named to this year's class of the prestigious Africa Leadership Initiative - East Africa Foundation.
They will join 18 other representatives from Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda who will ultimately be expected to use their entrepreneurial talents to address the major challenges facing their organisations, communities and the countries they live in.
This initiative is part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network which includes more than 700 fellows from 36 countries.
It also brings together business executives and professionals under 55 who have already achieved remarkable success in their chosen fields.
The fellows will meet four times over a two-year period and will undertake individual community service commitments.
One of Kenya's representatives is Nation Media Group's Mrs Julie Gichuru, an NTV News Anchor and Current Affairs Editor.
Mrs Gichuru expressed her delight in being chosen to participate in the prestigious programme, saying it will not only benefit her but Kenya as well.
She said the training will enable her to inform Kenyans about what she and other participants learn about advancing not only Kenya but the African continent at large.
Other Kenyan representatives include Mrs Rose Ogega, Finance Director Skynet Worldwide Express, and Mr Patrick Obath, MD and Country Chairman, Shell and BP Kenya, Mr Salim Amin, CEO Camerapix Limited, Mr Martin Kimani, senior counter-terrorism advisor at IGAD in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Mr Muchiri Wahome, CEO, Deacons Kenya Ltd.
Representatives from Tanzania include Mr John Ulanga, the Executive Director, Foundation for Civil Society, Mr Aidan Eyakuze, economist and co-founder Serengeti Advisers, and Mr Nehemia K. Mchechu, the CEO, Commercial Bank of Africa, Dar es Salaam, Ms Vickie Chale, human resources consultant, Mr Heri Bomani, CEO, Kenya Commercial Bank, Tanzania, and Ms Kati Kerenge, head of marketing and corporate communication, Simba Cement Company Ltd.
Uganda is represented by Mr Robert Kabushenga, CEO, New Vision Printing and Publishing Company, Mr Oskar Semweya, school administrator Taibah Schools and Mrs Nora Owaraga, CEO, Executive Support Services, Kampala, Mr Ssebbale Kato, a surgeon and medical entrepreneur, Mr Paul Kavuma, director and head of East Africa Actis Private Equity in Nairobi and Mrs Maria Odido Di Fozo, managing director, Bee Natural Products Factory, Kampala.
Representatives from Rwanda include Mr Henry Gaperi, CEO Rwanda Social Security Fund, Mr John Mirenge, (MD Electrogaz), Mr Patrick Kabagema (MD, Rockglobal Consulting) and Mr Richard Mugisha, founder and managing partner, Trust Law Chambers, Kigali, Mr Mutoni Kayihura, MD, Contact One Centre and Mrs Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Minister for Trade and Industry.
Announcing the names Friday, Mr Ali Mafuruki, the Ínitiative's East Africa Foundation chairman, said the fellows represent the region's hope for a better future where ethics and values will play a central role in the decision making process.
"We are delighted with this year's class of ALI Fellows, the second in East Africa since the year 2000," Mr Mafuruki said. "With all the leadership challenges that are playing out around us in the region and all over the world, the launch of this class could not have occurred at a better time."
The initiative is a collaborative project of seven partner organisations in Africa and the United States.
They include the US-based Aspen Institute and TechnoServe, CETA Construction Services (Mozambique), Databank Foundation (Ghana), Infotech Investment Group Limited (Tanzania), LEAP Africa (Nigeria) and Letsema Foundation (South Africa).
There are some 200 Fellows from Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
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