President Barack Obama meets young African leaders

WASHINGTON DC: President Barack Obama Monday met 500 youths who have been training in the US under the Young African Leaders Initiative, among them 47 Kenyans.

The mentorship programme aims to change the thinking of young people across Africa. Over 60 per cent of Africa’s population is aged 35 and below.

The meeting precedes the African Leaders Summit due to be held in Washington DC from August 4 to 6 which will be attended by heads of State and Government.

Kenyan delegation

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to lead a powerful delegation of Kenyan leaders to the summit.

The programme is designed to connect people identified as promising leaders in the age bracket of 25-35 to champion innovation and positive change in the continent plagued by poverty, disease, corruption, unemployment, inequality and civil strife.

Among Kenyans who benefited from the programme to hone their skills are journalist Watson Karuma, civil society leader Barack Mogaka and banker Eric Kweyu.