The United States and Kenya on Friday celebrated a historic milestone with the inaugural U.S.–Kenya Exchange Alumni National Fair, recognizing six decades of partnership and the impact of more than 8,000 Kenyans who have taken part in U.S. government exchange programs.
Speaking at the event in Nairobi, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Susan M. Burns highlighted the pivotal role alumni play in deepening people-to-people ties between the two nations. She described the alumni community as “the high-voltage current keeping Kenya’s engine of leadership and innovation driving for the future.”
“This is the first-ever alumni fair in Kenya, and today marks the beginning of a new chapter,” Burns said. “Over the past 60 years, alumni have transformed institutions, created jobs, and advanced industries ranging from technology to agriculture. Your creativity, boldness, and integrity are what keep this partnership alive.”
The fair, organized by the U.S.–Kenya Alumni Association, brought together hundreds of exchange alumni from programs including the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Fulbright, and the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).
Association President Benson Abila hailed the event as a celebration of alumni power and legacy. “At the heart of this 60-year partnership is the alumni,” he said. “Since launching the association last year, we have reached more than 1,000 alumni across eight regions, and this is only the beginning. Alumni like President William Ruto, Kennedy Odede, and innovators such as Norah Magero remind us that exchange programs can shape lives and nations.”
Entrepreneur Norah Magero, a TechWomen fellow and founder of Drop Access, shared her journey from engineering to developing solar-powered vaccine refrigerators. Her company has already delivered more than one million vaccines and medical products to underserved communities across East and West Africa.
“Exchange programs like TechWomen gave me the skills and mentorship to grow Drop Access into a globally recognized company,” Magero said. “Beyond saving lives, our work has created jobs, generated revenue, and shown that women and young people can lead Africa’s innovation space.”
Alumni voices from across the continent were also represented. Ashwag Elsayed, a Mandela Washington Fellow from Sudan, praised the programs for fostering Pan-African connections and cultivating a spirit of Ubuntu. “It is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who are changing their communities,” she said.
The fair also underscored Kenya’s growing global profile as a hub of innovation, renewable energy, and creative industries. Burns emphasized that Kenya is not only a leader in East Africa but also a “Silicon Savannah” where “the future of the tech sector is going to be built.”
“As Kenya embraces renewable energy, advances smart farming, and expands its creative economy, the U.S. Embassy is committed to being your partner in innovation, investment, and collaboration,” she added.
The day-long event featured panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking sessions designed to strengthen alumni networks and inspire future collaborations.
“Looking at the past 60 years, we see the impact of exchanges,” Abila said. “But looking ahead, we want to unleash the full potential of alumni to shape Kenya’s prosperity and strengthen our ties with the United States.”
https://x.com/USAmbKenya/status/1971508207584764247?t=RtC-PQJPLjW0Ewn_guP7og&s=19
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