Christopher Khaemba is a Kenyan educator and Co-Founder and Director of Nova Pioneer Schools, a pan-African school group with the mission of developing innovators and leaders who will shape the African Century. He has focused his life’s work on building institutions that stand as beacons of what is possible in African education, impacting 20,000 students and 2,000 teachers.

Khaemba began his career in Kenya’s air force, before he made the decision to go into teaching Physics and Mathematics, quickly rising to school leadership. It was in this role that Khaemba began his work developing generations of skilled and ethical African leaders, which he continued as Founding Head of the African Leadership Academy. His commitment to developing young Africans with leadership capacity and a desire to shape the world for the better saw him co-found Nova Pioneer Schools.

Khaemba recognises that youth leadership development is critically important to the continent’s future, and therefore to the world. Africa is increasingly the world’s largest source of talent and human capital. However, current and traditional education across the continent – even in relatively well-resourced schools – is highly rote and falls far short of the development of holistic leadership and creative capacities that Africa and the world needs.

Through all his work, Khaemba has helped 20,000 young Africans graduate with an excellent education that has provided them with the holistic character, academic, personal competence, and social capital development they need to shape society. His former students today represent a dynamic community of leadership in all sectors of Kenyan society and across the African diaspora. Notable students include James Mwangi, Kihara Maina, James Mworia, John Gachora, Humphrey Wattanga, Martin Mbaya, Edward Ndopu, William Kamkwamba, Linda Dounia, Eddy Oketch, Fatou Fall, and Oyindamilola Adefisayo.

Khaemba’s transformative work in education attracted the attention of Kenya’s
President Mwai Kibaki, who in 2005 awarded him Head of State Commendation in recognition of his contribution towards the development of education in Kenya. Kibaki’s predecessor, President Daniel Moi had in 1998 awarded Khaemba the Distinguished Service Medal for turning round a poorly performing Friends School, Kamusinga High School into a powerhouse of excellent student outcomes in three years.

Khaemba served on the World Economic Forum’s Council for Africa, whose other
distinguished members included Grace Machel, Mo Ibrahim and Obiageli Katryn
Ezekwesili. In 2009 the Council pushed Africa’s Agenda to the centre of the Forum during a meeting held in Dubai.

In 2017 Khaemba was contracted by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to research on Africa’s education landscape. His work led to the Foundation’s decision to invest in the education activities on the Continent.

Khaemba is a former Education Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister of Kenyaand serves as a member of the Moi University Council in Kenya.