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Raphael Obonyo is a multi award winning youth advocate at the national, regional and international levels.
He is the co-founder of a number of community and youth-led initiatives including the Youth Congress, a premier youth-led organization in Kenya.
He has extensive knowledge and experience in public policy, international development, political economy, governance and human rights.
In 2019 he was named Africa’s Voice Achiever, Africa’s Jet Age Young Person of the Year. Also, Mr Obonyo was named one of the 100 most influential young Kenyans. In 2018 he was named one of the 100 most influential young Africans. Obonyo is the 2018 recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Outstanding Leaders Award, 2018 Africa’s Young Achievers, 2018 Leader of the Year Award by Africa Youth Awards, the 2017 Pan African Humanitarian Award, and the 2016 Best Communicator in Kenya – by Daily Nation. In 2016 he was named one of the UN Persons of the Year. Also, he received the 2016 Utumushi Bora - Exemplary Leadership Award for his contribution to mentorship and people’s empowerment.
Obonyo currently serves on the board of World Bank’s Global Youth Network, Global Diplomatic Forum and Africa Leadership Institute. In addition he is a member of the UN Habitat’s Youth Advisory Board Alumni, Les Aspin Institute of Governance and Leadership and the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program.
He holds a Masters in Public Policy from Duke University. He is an adjunct professor at Brandeis University where he teaches International Youth Policy. He is a Ford Foundation Fellow.
He has authored and coauthored numerous book, including the Conversations about the Youth in Kenya.
