Some 27 Kenyans have added yet another feather to their cap and receive certificates for successfully completing Stages 2 and 3 of the Food Systems Leadership Programme. In a ceremony in Nairobi attended by the Fellowship’s faculty and technical mentors, the Fellows graduated from the “Systems Action” and “Sharing and Reflection” stages of the programme, which served as an incubator for testing, refining and applying their ideas.

“Kudos Fellows on your graduation from Stage 2 and 3 of the Food Systems Leadership Programme. I look back at the last 10 months with pride and triumphant reflection. I have witnessed first-hand your passion, incredible hard work and continuous contribution to the fellowship and Kenya’s food system. Iron sharpens iron, systemic action begets transfor mation. As a fellowship we remain committed to walking besides you!” said African Food Fellowship Dean Eunice Khaguli.

The Fellows have spent the past five months working with technical mentors and coaches on their systems initiatives of choice, which are designed to provide workable solutions to the most salient challenges facing food systems today. These initiatives are designed around the three core impact areas: aquaculture, horticulture and agri-finance.

The graduation also served as a platform for the Fellows to showcase their systems initiatives to a panel of faculty, mentors and peers, highlighting the key milestones so far and plans for the future. Upon graduation, the Fellows will now become members of the African Food Fellowship and begin a lifelong leadership journey towards more inclusive, sustainable and healthy food systems.