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- H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH: A People-Centered Governor Driving Youth Empowerment and Community-Led Development
H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH: A People-Centered Governor Driving Youth Empowerment and Community-Led Development
ACC 2025 to spotlight youth-led innovation, volunteerism, and community-driven development as Africa’s next generation takes center stage in shaping the continent’s future.
Gerald Kombo
April 10, 2025
As Kenya prepares to host over 1,000 young Africans for the CorpsAfrica All-Country Conference (ACC 2025) this June at the Kenya School of Government, national and regional attention is shifting toward models of leadership that empower Africa’s youth at the grassroots. One of the standout champions of this movement is H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH, the Governor of Taita Taveta County, whose leadership is grounded in inclusive governance, youth participation, and transformative community action.
Speaking at the CorpsAfrica/Kenya Pitch Day Program, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH delivered a bold and timely address to volunteers, stakeholders, and youth leaders - underscoring his county’s unwavering commitment to empowering young people to lead development efforts from the frontlines.
A Leadership Journey Rooted in Service
H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH has a distinguished career in public service, beginning in 2013 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament. He went on to serve two impactful terms before vying for Governor in 2022—running and winning as an independent candidate.
I joined politics in 2013 as a Member of Parliament. I served for two terms and contributed to various committees. In 2022, I ran as an independent candidate for Governor - and won.
Today, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH serves not only as the County’s Chief Executive but also as Vice Chair of the Water, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management Committee under the Council of Governors. His national-level involvement spans trade, climate action, and disaster risk reduction—but his heart remains firmly with the people of Taita Taveta.
Freestyle Governance: Co-Creation with Youth
One of the defining aspects of his leadership is his direct engagement with young people and his commitment to freestyle governance - a leadership model built on open dialogue, inclusion, and co-creation.
Young people must be included. Whether they are in informal groups or formal structures, their ideas matter. My leadership style is freestyle-we co-create and move forward together.
His government has taken tangible steps to support youth empowerment, including the disbursement of bursaries to over 100 students in every ward, expansion of school infrastructure, and the facilitation of academic opportunities abroad.
Investing in Health, Food Security, and Innovation
Under his stewardship, Taita Taveta is rolling out flagship health projects, including a fully equipped cancer center at the Moi County Referral Hospital - a facility that will benefit not just the county, but the entire coastal region.
We’re not just talking about development - we’re implementing it with the people. Our focus is on education, health, agriculture, and climate resilience. These are the pillars that will elevate our communities.
To address food security and economic resilience, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime – Wakujaa, EGH has championed the distribution of over 10,000 tissue culture banana seedlings to local farmers and vulnerable households. Agro-processing units are also being established to minimize post-harvest losses and boost value addition.
Championing Climate Resilience from the Ground Up
With climate change threatening the livelihoods of millions, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime – Wakujaa, EGH is integrating sustainability into county planning through waste management systems, forest conservation efforts, and smart agriculture models backed by international partners.
From waste management to wildlife conservation, we’re ensuring Taita Taveta remains green, productive, and prosperous.
In Sync With CorpsAfrica’s Vision for Youth-Led Development
As Kenya gears up to host the ACC 2025 conference, a pan-African celebration of youth-led volunteerism and innovation, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH’s leadership aligns seamlessly with the conference’s mission - to amplify the voices and impact of Africa’s youngest generation.
We’ve been conditioned to think solutions must come from the West. But I believe we can be our own philanthropists. What CorpsAfrica is doing - empowering youth to solve their own community problems - is the future.
A County Government Standing With Youth
The Governor’s vision is supported by a dynamic team of leaders driving policy and programmatic alignment with youth empowerment goals:
Hon. Shedrack Mutungi - CECM, Youth Affairs, Sports, Gender & Social Services
Mr. Wilfred Shogosho - Chief Officer, Youth Affairs & Gender
Hon. Gloria Monikombo - CECM, Education, Libraries & Vocational Training
We are proud to be part of a generation of leaders working to create enabling environments for youth. We see CorpsAfrica not just as a partner, but as a model we can adapt to our county's needs.
Conclusion: The Future Is Local - and It’s Youth-Led
As Africa’s youth population surges toward 830 million by 2050, H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH offers a tested, community-anchored blueprint for inclusive development. His message at the CorpsAfrica/Kenya Pitch Day was not just a call to Action - it was a lived example of leadership that listens, includes, and delivers.
Youth are not just beneficiaries - they are the architects of change.
And as ACC 2025 approaches, all eyes are on leaders like H.E. Dr. Andrew Mwadime - Wakujaa, EGH, whose work proves that with trust, collaboration, and local leadership, Africa’s youth can and will lead the continent forward.