Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has been selected to host the 250th American Festival, an event aimed at celebrating 250 years of United States independence while promoting cultural exchange, innovation, education, and collaboration.
The festival is expected to bring together students, educators, innovators, and cultural stakeholders in celebrating the longstanding relations between Kenya and the United States.
The event will also provide a platform for various American companies to showcase their products, services, technologies, and innovations, while fostering engagement with students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the wider community.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi on May 12, 2026, Mr. Mark Burrell, Regional Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Embassy said the festival is an important event in the American calendar as it seeks to celebrate the enduring values of freedom, innovation, cultural diversity, and international partnership.
Mr. Burrell further noted that the event will celebrate American culture while exposing staff, students, and the wider community to various opportunities available through scholarships, academic exchange programmes, innovation partnerships, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
“American companies will be present to showcase their services, while institutions of higher learning will also participate through virtual sessions aimed at giving students and staff greater exposure to academic opportunities, innovation, and international exchange programmes,” said Mr. Burrell.
He further noted that JKUAT is among the top institutions selected to host the festival, underscoring its strong academic standing and role in fostering international collaboration and innovation.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi, lauded the opportunity for JKUAT to host the festival, noting that the engagement also provided a platform for both institutions to exchange ideas on possible areas of collaboration and the successful organization of the event.
“As JKUAT, this opportunity to host the event will be important for knowledge exchange and will expose our staff and students to new ideas, global opportunities, and partnerships that align with our mission in teaching, research, and innovation,” Prof. Ngumi stated.
Prof. Ngumi further noted that JKUAT is also keen on advancing its internationalization agenda through strategic partnerships that enhance global visibility, academic collaboration, and capacity building for staff and students.
The festival will be a two-day event and is slated for May 28–29 this year, featuring exhibitions, interactive sessions, and engagement opportunities aimed at fostering cultural exchange and academic collaboration.
