A spark of shared vision and purpose lit up Kenyatta University’s Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, as Ms. Shalane Yuen, Founding Managing Director of the Trevor Noah Foundation (TNF), and Mr. Khuselwa Mxatule, Assistant Director of Impact and Learning, visited the University. The visit reaffirmed TNF’s growing partnership with the Regional Leadership Centre, East Africa (RLC EA), a collaboration shaping the next generation of changemakers across the region.
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Michael Gicheru, Executive Dean of the Graduate School, representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Wainaina. Also in attendance were Dr. Anthony Njoroge, Chairperson of the Department of Educational Foundations (standing in for Prof. Samson Ondigi, Executive Dean, School of Education), Prof. George Kosimbei, Director of RLC EA, and Ms. Rosemary Ndivo, the Centre’s Deputy Director.
Since its inception, the partnership between Trevor Noah Foundation and RLC EA has focused on empowering young education changemakers from across 14 countries in East and Central Africa. Through the RLC EA, formerly Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) programme, the Foundation has supported the training of the first and second cohorts, equipping more than 100 education leaders with critical skills in leadership, innovation, and social impact.
Prof. Kosimbei noted that the collaboration has been instrumental in the Centre’s sustainability transition plan, particularly following the conclusion of USAID funding. “We are not in a bad place,” he affirmed. “We’re finalising paperwork with new partners, including the Embassy of Korea and other interested collaborators. The support from Kenyatta University management has been remarkable.”
Kenyatta University (KU) is one of Africa’s leading institutions of higher learning, the best in Kenya – a comprehensive university offering a wide range of academic, research and innovation programmes. He also highlighted the University’s structured administrative hierarchy and its commitment to advancing partnerships that nurture leadership, capacity building, and socio-economic transformation.
The RLC EA’s post-training framework remains a model for sustained community engagement. Alumni such as Julius Irungu, a Kenyatta University graduate and YALI alumnus, continue to demonstrate the programme’s tangible impact through ongoing community development initiatives. The Trevor Noah Foundation team expressed interest in visiting such alumni projects to witness the ripple effects of the training.
Dr. Njoroge thanked the Foundation for its consistency and partnership, reaffirming the School of Education’s commitment to providing continued support. “As a School, we deeply value this collaboration and will continue to stand behind the Centre in all its efforts,” he said.
Speaking during the courtesy call, Ms. Yuen shared the inspiring story behind the Foundation’s conception. Founded in 2018 by South African comedian and philanthropist Trevor Noah, the Foundation was inspired by his mother’s passion for education and resilience. Its core mission is to strengthen school ecosystems, enhance accountability in education, and provide career guidance opportunities for learners across Africa.
“Our first engagement with the YALI Regional Leadership Centre was in South Africa,” she noted. “We were impressed by how the East Africa Centre operates, especially its proactive approach and strong commitment to impact. The alignment between our missions made the partnership a natural fit.”
Ms. Yuen added that TNF has been the only YALI funder to include direct grant funding for community-based initiatives, reflecting the Foundation’s belief in practical, sustained change beyond classroom learning. She further encouraged the Centre to reach out whenever support is needed, especially in securing funding for ongoing projects.
Mr. Mxatule, who has been part of the collaboration since the first cohort, praised RLC EA’s proactive leadership. “From our first conversation to the signing of the MoU, everything aligned seamlessly. This Centre stands out for its grounded, community-focused approach,” he remarked.
Both teams reaffirmed their shared vision for sustainable leadership training in Africa. The Trevor Noah Foundation expressed its readiness to continue supporting the Centre and to help attract additional partners interested in advancing educational transformation across the continent.
Prof. Kosimbei concluded by expressing gratitude for TNF’s unwavering support: “The Foundation stood with us when other funding ended. This partnership continues to light the path towards sustainable, impactful leadership development.”
As Kenyatta University continues to transform higher education and enhance lives, such collaborations embody its mission to foster leadership, innovation and global citizenship – values that totally resonate deeply with the Trevor Noah Foundation’s vision.