This archive report was first published on 6 January 2020.
On January 6, 2020, Kenya's Raphael Obonyo was recognized for his outstanding contributions to youth empowerment in Africa, receiving the Continental Outstanding Personality of the Year 2019 Award from Jet Age National Builders.
Obonyo, the founder of The Youth Congress, a premier youth organization in Kenya, has initiated various youth and community development projects, including the Miss Koch Girls Education Initiative (1999), Koch FM (2006), the Youth Congress of Kenya (2007), and the Kenya Youth Media (2011).
These initiatives have trained many young people on entrepreneurship skills, film, and journalism, and have facilitated them to access capital to start small businesses, leading to improved living conditions and reduced poverty levels amongst the youth.
Obonyo was among the award recipients during the Jet Age Continental Dinner Night and Awards (JACDNA) held at Kigali Marriott Hotel, which recognized individuals, institutions, and organizations working for the advancement of the African continent.
Obonyo expressed his gratitude for the award, stating, 'I am particularly pleased with the reason for the valuation-contribution to youth emancipation in the continent. This is a sign that youth can change the cause of history and decide their future. Thank you Africa. Thank you all for the support.'
Obonyo is a TEDx fellow and has authored and coauthored numerous books, including the Conversations about the Youth in Kenya. He serves on the board of the World Bank's Global Youth Network, Global Diplomatic Forum, and Africa Leadership Institute, among others.
