Eliud Owalo speaking at a past event. PHOTO/EOF.
By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
In a bold move that signals a transformative shift in Kenya’s development trajectory, the Eliud Owalo Foundation has officially launched an ambitious Sh14 billion initiative aimed at harnessing the potential of the nation’s youth bulge, which has long been seen as both a challenge and an opportunity.
The event, held at Nairobi’s Emara Ole Sereni Hotel, was more than just a philanthropic endeavor, it marked the beginning of a new era in Kenya’s socio-political and economic landscape.
The foundation’s vision is clear: to turn Kenya’s youthful population from a ticking time bomb into a demographic boom. The initiative, aptly named “If we harness this energy, Kenya wins. If we neglect it, we all lose,” is designed to tap into the untapped potential of Kenya’s young people by focusing on education, economic empowerment, health, and climate action.
Speaking at the launch, European Union ambassador to Kenya, Henriette Geiger, reinforced the importance of the initiative’s alignment with gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth.
“This is not charity; it’s a partnership for progress,” Ambassador Geiger stated, highlighting the EU’s commitment to supporting shared prosperity in Kenya.
The launch was attended by an array of high-profile figures, including newly appointed Board of Trustees members, such as Chris Mensah, Justice Joyce Aluoch, Dr. Esther Koimett, and Amb. Raychelle Omamo, among others.
The presence of these leaders from diverse sectors including law, business, academia, and diplomacy, signals the foundation’s commitment to delivering impactful change at a national scale.
A bus the Eliud Owalo Foundation donated to Gor Mahia FC. PHOTO/EOF.
The guest list at the event also reflected the broad coalition backing this initiative, with governors, former politicians, business magnates, and media moguls in attendance.
Notable figures included Governors Anne Waiguru, Ken Lusaka, and Wilber Otichilo, former Governors James Ongwae and Jack Ranguma, and influential business leaders like Joseph Ogutu, Chairman of the Mpesa Foundation.
In his address, Eliud Owalo, the founder, emphasized that the foundation’s success would rely on strategic partnerships across sectors—business, government, and civil society, making the case that Kenya’s development cannot be achieved in isolation.
The focus, he said, would be on creating lasting economic opportunities for the youth, particularly through ICT, sports development, women’s empowerment, and climate-smart agriculture.
“We will not build a better future through charity. We will build it through partnerships that create lasting, systemic change,” Owalo declared, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to improving infrastructure, offering scholarships to disadvantaged youth, and facilitating business opportunities for women and local communities.
The foundation’s work will be centred around five key thematic areas: education, health, youth and women’s economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Eliud Owalo at a soccer tournament his foundation sponsored in Kisumu. PHOTO/EOF.
Already, it has made significant strides by facilitating over 2,300 medical check-ups in rural areas, investing KSh. 3.6 million in women’s capacity building, and injecting seed capital into 29 savings and credit cooperative organizations (SACCOs).
In terms of youth empowerment, the foundation has donated sports gear and sponsored various tournaments across Kenya, including providing a KSh. 23 million bus for Gor Mahia FC. A driving course for 1,000 young people in Kibra is another key project that has garnered wide praise.
As Kenya approaches a new political season, the launch of the Eliud Owalo Foundation is being seen by many as the beginning of a deeper, more strategic conversation about the role of modern philanthropy in shaping the country’s future.
The ambitious scope of the foundation’s goals aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, positioning it as a key player in the country’s quest for inclusive development.
With Sh14.31 billion now committed to this cause, the launch marks the beginning of a movement poised to redefine the future of Kenya’s youth, shifting the narrative from one of marginalisation to one of opportunity and empowerment.
The foundation’s blend of capital, policy, and vision promises to be a powerful catalyst for change, paving the way for Kenya to truly capitalise on its youthful demographic in the years to come.
