Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenya School of Government (KSG) and renowned industrialist and philanthropist Dr. Manu Chandaria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Raila Odinga and Manu Chandaria Regional Center for Innovation, Leadership and Governance, a lasting tribute to the life, leadership and public service legacy of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.
The proposed center, which forms part of KSG's centenary vision, will serve as a regional hub for leadership development, innovation, governance excellence and public service transformation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Chandaria described Raila Odinga as a personal friend and one of Kenya's most consequential leaders.
"We are celebrating a great Kenyan, Raila Amolo Odinga. This academy will go a long way in shaping leaders in politics, whether they are in government or in opposition. We require leaders with great hearts irrespective of where they stand politically. The country must always come first," said Chandaria.
KSG Director General Prof. Nura Mohamed said the center would help preserve and advance the leadership values associated with Raila Odinga's public life.
"This Centre of Excellence is about the epitome of good governance, excellence and service delivery. It is about how public servants can emulate the leadership philosophy of the Right Honourable Raila Odinga a philosophy rooted in bringing Kenyans together for the common good," said Prof. Nura.
The center is expected to provide a platform for leadership training, policy innovation, strategic foresight and governance research, ensuring that the ideals of unity, service and transformational leadership continue to inspire future generations.
The establishment of the Raila Odinga and Manu Chandaria Regional Center for Innovation, Leadership and Governance comes as the Kenya School of Government prepares to celebrate its centenary next month. The milestone marks 100 years of shaping public service and leadership in Kenya. According to KSG, the proposed center forms part of the institution's vision for its next century, serving as a platform to nurture ethical leadership, innovation, good governance and public service excellence while preparing future generations of leaders to address emerging national, regional and global challenges.