Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the European Union’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), based in Nairobi are exploring a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening humanitarian leadership in Kenya and the broader East African region.
As part of this initiative, a delegation from JKUAT’s Central Business District (CBD) campus recently met with representatives from DG ECHO’s Nairobi office to discuss how academic training and practical engagement can be combined to build local capacity for humanitarian leadership.
The JKUAT delegation consisted of Dr. Paul Kariuki, Chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement Development (EPD), and Dr. Peter Wanjohi, Lead Trainer and Coordinator of the newly launched Humanitarian Leadership Course who represented the Director, CBD campus, Prof. Peter Njenga.
The delegation was received at the DG ECHO’s Nairobi offices by Mr. Clément Cazaubon, Technical Assistant, and Ms. Judith Munyao, Programme Officer for Regional Food Assistance and Cash.
Dr. Wanjohi outlined the motivation for the Humanitarian Leadership Course saying it seeks “to equip current and aspiring humanitarian leaders from NGOs, government agencies, local organizations, and civil society with the tools they need to lead effectively in crisis situations”.
“The humanitarian sector is becoming increasingly complex. Leadership in this space demands more than goodwill. It requires specific, practical, and locally relevant skills. That’s exactly what this course aims to deliver,” noted Dr. Wanjohi.
Mr. Cazaubon acknowledged the growing demand for such training, highlighting the lack of similar courses in the region. He noted that many practitioners are often required to travel abroad usually to Europe or North America where training is expensive and often misaligned with the local context.
“This program has the potential to become a powerful regional resource and to raise the professional standards of humanitarian work across East Africa. It’s refreshing to see a university taking the lead in this space,” he remarked.
With both institutions aligned on the need for homegrown solutions, the parties agreed that addressing humanitarian challenges in Africa requires leadership that is deeply rooted in, and responsive to, the local context and that building such capacity must begin at the local level.
The Humanitarian Leadership Course which was officially launched this year is currently being offered at JKUAT’s Central Business District (CBD) campus in Nairobi. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the humanitarian sector, the program provides a practical, locally grounded platform for developing the next generation of crisis leaders in Kenya and the wider region.
