Raila Odinga to Be Honoured With New Leadership Academy [Details]

The Kenya School of Government (KSG) is set to launch the Raila Amolo Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In a notice on Tuesday, October 13, KSG said the launch ceremony will be officiated by Ida Odinga as the Chief Guest.

"In a major boost to public sector governance, ethical leadership, and institutional transformation, the Kenya School of Government (KSG) will soon officially launch the Raila Amolo Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy in honour of the late Raila Amolo Odinga. 

"The launch ceremony will be officiated by Ida Odinga as the Chief Guest, marking a historic milestone in honouring the legacy of visionary leadership and dedication to public service," the notice read.

According to KSG, the academy will operate as a centre of excellence, with programmes designed to address governance challenges, strengthen public institutions and equip leaders with the skills required to manage complex public sector responsibilities.

"Conceived as a world-class centre of excellence, the Academy will address the country’s and the continent’s most pressing issues, including governance of public service at both national and devolved units, economic modelling, promotion of values and sustainable development," the notice added.

The academy's work will be guided by five pillars of leadership, namely Pan-African Unity, Inclusive Leadership, Good Governance, Education and Innovation, and Peace and Justice.

KSG Director General Nura Mohamed outlined the academy's planned institutional contributions, including the establishment of a regional leadership and governance hub that will serve Kenya and other African countries.

The hub will build on KSG's national mandate, multi-campus presence, experienced faculty and strategic partnerships to provide executive leadership programmes, governance training, policy advisory services and institutional capacity-building solutions.

Another major initiative will be the establishment of a state-of-the-art governance laboratory designed to prepare public leaders for complex and unpredictable situations.

The facility will incorporate artificial intelligence-driven tools, gamification and real-time stress testing to simulate crises such as fiscal shocks, climate emergencies, cyber threats and public unrest. 

Satellite facilities will also be established across KSG campuses to support the initiative.

The academy will also work with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to introduce a Public Sector Leadership Competency Framework aligned with Article 232 of the Constitution and the national development transformation agenda.

The framework will incorporate psychometric assessments, emotional intelligence assessments, situational judgment assessments and structured talent mapping to help standardise recruitment, promotion and succession planning across government institutions.

A Policy and Strategic Foresight Hub will be established to conduct horizon scanning, scenario planning and long-term policy research, including developing possible scenarios for Kenya in 2060.

The hub will produce quarterly reports and evidence-based policy recommendations for the Cabinet, Parliament, the Judiciary and county governments to support long-term planning and decision-making.

Further, KSG also plans to establish a Productivity Hub to collect, analyse and disseminate public sector productivity data. The unit will prepare quarterly productivity reports for submission to the Office of the Head of Public Service to guide decision-making.

At the grassroots level, the academy will introduce the KSG Mashinani initiative, which will extend leadership training and civic education beyond formal classrooms.

The programme will include an 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.

The academy will further introduce a Public Service Mental Health and Wellness Programme to address occupational stress among public officers.

The initiative will use standardised diagnostic tools, including PHQ-9 and GAD-7, alongside stress management workshops and peer support networks to promote psychological resilience among public servants.

Digital transformation will also form part of the academy's mandate, with plans to develop artificial intelligence skills and digital competencies among public officers.

"The initiative will focus on responsible AI adoption, digital leadership, data literacy, cybersecurity awareness, digital service delivery, and the use of emerging technologies to improve efficiency, accountability, and citizen experience," the notice further read.

The ninth initiative will focus on monitoring and evaluating capacity-development programmes to assess their effectiveness, measure outcomes and inform continuous improvement.

KSG said the establishment of the academy had been made possible through support from Dr Manu Chandaria, the Chairman of the Chandaria Foundation.

"The establishment of the Academy has been made possible through the generous support of Dr. Manu Chandaria, Chairman of the Chandaria Foundation. 

"In recognition of this valued partnership, a dedicated wing within the Academy houses the Foundation and an Innovation Hub designed to empower young people through innovation, creativity, and youth-focused initiatives," the notice added.

Its partnership agenda will include collaborative research and policy advisory services to develop evidence-based recommendations addressing public sector challenges.

It will also facilitate staff and leadership exchange programmes to promote professional development, knowledge sharing and exposure to best practices in governance and public administration.

Other areas of cooperation will include digital learning programmes, institutional benchmarking, joint conferences, seminars and policy forums, as well as the mobilisation of financial, technical and human resources to support capacity development.

The academy will further promote regional integration by strengthening cooperation among institutions, harmonising practices and supporting public service development across the region.

Beyond executive education and research, the academy will house the Raila Odinga Knowledge Management Hub and e-Museum, alongside the Raila Odinga Library and the Public Service Museum of Kenya.

The facilities are expected to preserve historical records, public service policies and ideas on governance for research, education and reference by emerging leaders.

"This digital repository and public encyclopedia will archive historical public service policies, administrative circulars, and transformative political philosophies to serve as a reference point for emerging leaders across Africa," the notice concluded.