Nairobi — An essay-writing and cartoon competition on the theme of leadership has been launched targeting secondary school students.

Entrants are asked to write an article of up to 600 words on the subject of "The leadership we need to build the Kenya and Africa we want" and another 200 words on the subject of "How I can play a leading role".

The Mbegu Trust education charity is behind the competition that seeks to identify young leaders. "The competition aims to find out which leader, past or present, has been the greatest inspiration on the young students," said Mr Martin Minns, Mbegu Trust's project coordinator.

Leadership

The project includes a separate competition in which students will submit a cartoon on the subject of leadership, or the Kenya/Africa they live in, or want to see for the future.

The closing date for entries is November 16, 2009, by any of the following methods: Directly to the Mbegu Trust, Argwings Kodhek Grove, Nairobi; to any Kenol/Kobil filling station, Fargo Courier, or Air Kenya outlet; via the area district education officer; and online via Mbegu Trust's website www.mbegutrust.org, or by email to info@mbegutrust.org.

Students and their schools will win up to Sh1 million and the top two will get internships at the Nation Media Group.