Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue Partners with Kenyan Governors to Establish Africa’s First Trusted Tech Caucus

The Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy Equips a New Generation
of African Leaders to Shape the Future of Trusted Technology

Nairobi, Kenya –The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue today announced the launch of the Kenyan Governors’ Trusted Tech Caucus, the first of its kind on the African continent.

This groundbreaking initiative was introduced by Kenyan leaders, including Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, Secretary for Diaspora Investment, Skills and Entrepreneurship; Governor Irungu Kang’ata of Muranga; Governor Simba Arati of Kisii; Governor Amos Nyaribo of Nyamira; Governor Rev. Isaac Mutuma M’Ethingia of Meru; members of the Council of Governors – an organization comprising the governors of Kenya’s 47 counties – and Year of Return Africa (YORA).

This esteemed group of leaders, supported by the Krach Institute’s global network of experts, will work together to ensure Kenyan citizens benefit from transformational technological advances and safeguard against the weaponization of technology by authoritarian regimes and criminal actors.

The establishment of the Trusted Tech Caucus received the vital support of 16 Kenyan organizations, spanning finance, manufacturing, education, media, and technology, together representing more than 3 million Kenyans and 4,000 companies.

• Abana International Organization
• Brazafric
• CTI Africa
• Kenya Film Commission
• Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nairobi Branch
• Kisii County
• Marketing Society of Kenya
• Meru County
• Muranga County
• Nyamira County
• One Voice Consortium
• Pwani University
• Robotic Institute of Kenya
• State Department for Diaspora Affairs
• Tatu City
• USIU University

The announcement coincides with the 2025 YORA Summit & Expo, themed “Fueling the Future: Unlocking Africa’s Entrepreneurial Potential,” where Len Khodorkovsky, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Senior Advisor to the Chairman of the Krach Institute, delivered a keynote address on “Tech Diplomacy and Africa’s New Digital Frontier.” The event also featured a high-level roundtable on “Operationalizing Trusted Tech: Public-Private Partnerships for Kenya’s Counties.”

“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in advancing tech diplomacy in Africa,” said Khodorkovsky. “By launching the Kenyan Governors’ Trusted Tech Caucus, we are empowering local leaders to champion trusted technologies that drive economic growth and security. The adoption of the Krach Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy by YORA participants will equip the next generation of leaders with the skills to thrive in the technologically driven global economy.”

“Bringing together leaders from strategic sectors to solve big challenges in the new tech age is what the Krach Institute does best,” said Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute. “Africa’s youth, talent, and strategic importance make it essential to the future of innovation. This dialogue is just the beginning of a powerful partnership built on a shared vision that technology must advance freedom.”

The Trusted Tech Caucus will serve as a platform for Kenyan governors, legislators, and stakeholders to coordinate efforts in promoting trusted technology use at the county level. Additionally, the Krach Institute’s Tech Diplomacy Academy, a first-of-its-kind, scalable online training platform built to prepare leaders at the intersection of technology, business and national security, will be integrated into programs supported by YORA and its partners. These programs will focus on upskilling in emerging technologies and governance. The Academy draws on the engineering strength of Purdue University, consistently ranked among the top five engineering institutions in the United States and a leader in national security innovation.

“Africa stands at the cusp of a technological renaissance, where trusted and secure technologies are not just tools but the foundation for inclusive growth and global leadership,” said Peter Kegode, YORA Co-Founder and Director for Strategy and Partnerships. “By embracing AI, smart manufacturing, and clean energy, and fostering partnerships, like the one between YORA and the Krach Institute, we can ensure that Africa’s innovation ecosystem thrives, safeguarding our digital future while empowering every citizen.”

Rep. Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley, the first Minnesota state legislator of Kenyan heritage, added: “As a daughter of Kenya and a representative of the American people, I see this partnership as a bridge between our shared futures. The Trusted Tech Caucus is more than policy; it’s a promise to our communities on both sides of the ocean. By empowering Kenyan counties with trusted technologies and digital skills, we are not just building infrastructure—we are building intergenerational opportunity, securing a future of prosperity and sovereignty for the next generation of Kenyan leaders.”

The establishment of the Kenyan Governors’ Trusted Tech Caucus and the launch of the Tech Diplomacy Academy in Africa emerged as key outcomes of the high-level roundtable convened by the Krach Institute, in collaboration with YORA, on June 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. The event brought together senior African diplomats from 12 countries, U.S. officials, technology leaders, academics, and private sector executives to explore pathways for advancing trusted technology and economic partnerships in Africa. Discussions centered on expanding the middle class, scaling infrastructure, reducing barriers, and accelerating workforce development.

About the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue

The Krach Institute is the world’s preeminent trusted technology accelerator. As the leader in the new category of Tech Diplomacy, the Institute integrates technology expertise, Silicon Valley strategies and foreign policy tools to build the Global Trusted Tech Network of governments, companies, organizations and individuals to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology and ensure technology advances freedom.

Visit the Krach Institute online at TechDiplomacy.org and follow on LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Enroll in the Tech Diplomacy Academy to learn what you need to know now about key emerging technologies and their impact on business, policy and the global economy. Subscribe to the Institute’s weekly newsletter Tech Diplomacy Now for the latest news  at the intersection of high tech and foreign policy.

About Year of Return Africa (YORA)

Year of Return Africa (YORA) is a platform connecting the African diaspora with opportunities on the continent, focusing on entrepreneurship, investment, and cultural exchange. Through events like the YORA Summit & Expo, it aims to unlock Africa’s potential in tech, creative industries, and sustainable development.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Megan Stencel at megan@javelindc.com or 703-490-8845.