Elizabeth Khavai is a rising voice in public policy and advocacy, bringing a fresh perspective to governance and youth leadership in Africa. A recent graduate of Kenyatta University, she has already positioned herself as a public administration professional and part of AESP 2025, representing a new generation of leaders determined to ensure that policies do more than sit on paper, they drive real change in people’s lives. In a space often dominated by established figures, Khavai’s journey reflects the power of young voices in shaping Africa’s future governance and public service systems.
“I’m Elizabeth Khavai, some people call me Zion or just Khavai depending on the space. I’m a public policy and advocacy professional rooted in my community in Teso North, Busia County. I believe in the power of lived experience and grassroots action to shape meaningful change”
Elizabeth Khavai
For her, policy work isn’t about abstract frameworks or distant conversations in air-conditioned boardrooms, it’s about lived realities. “If policy doesn’t speak to the realities of ordinary people, then it’s not doing its job.”
That clarity of purpose shows in the initiatives she is currently engaged in. As a Community Digital Champion (CDC) under Jenga Afrihub, Khavai advocates for safe and inclusive digital spaces in Busia County. She is also co-founding Thrive Horizons, a grassroots organization focusing on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, education equity, and other urgent community concerns identified through local engagement. Beyond organizational work, she uses her pen as a tool for advocacy, writing policy briefs on youth unemployment, climate change, femicide, and even the rise of cultic movements in Kenyan communities.
Interestingly, Khavai didn’t set out to pursue public policy at all. Her dream after high school was to become a lawyer.
“Public policy was my second option and I remember praying I wouldn’t get placed in it because I had no idea what it actually entailed. But life had other plans,” she recalls.
Once admitted to Kenyatta University’s program in Public Policy and Administration, what began as uncertainty quickly turned into passion. With the guidance of inspired lecturers and the vibrant community of the Kenyatta University Students of Public Policy and Administration Association, she discovered how powerful policies can be in shaping people’s lives.
Her turning point came in third year, when she joined a training run by the South African Institute of International Affairs through Twaweza East Africa. That program gave her tools to transition from academic curiosity to practical advocacy. Since then, advocacy has become central to her identity, complementing her academic grounding in administration. Even during her internship at the Office of the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) in Kasarani Sub-County, she applied that dual lens, understanding how administrative systems operate while staying rooted in the human impact of policy.
Shaping Leadership
For Elizabeth Khavai, leadership is not a title but a lived process of learning, testing, and showing up with courage. Her recent participation in the Africa Emerging Scholars Program (AESP 2025) proved to be a defining chapter in that journey.
“AESP 2025 was a transformative experience for me not just in terms of knowledge, but in how I see myself as a leader in Africa’s policy space,” she reflects.
The program exposed her to a pan-African community of peers from Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond. That diversity reminded her that while Africa’s governance contexts differ, the aspirations of its youth often converge. The debates, book reviews, and policy challenges she engaged in did more than sharpen her academic mind, they deepened her resilience and empathy.
“Policy leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room; it’s about being the most grounded.”
Elizabeth Khavai
She explains, noting how mentorship and peer learning shaped her sense of responsibility as a young African leader.
That grounding translates into tangible impact. One standout moment came during her time with Twaweza East Africa in 2023, where she participated in a project using futures foresight tools to reimagine youth futures in Africa. The exercise culminated in published policy recommendations by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). For Khavai, it was proof that youth voices, when given both space and structure, can influence serious decision-making.
“It reminded me that youth voices, when given space and structure, can shape serious policy conversations,” she notes.
Still, Khavai’s leadership journey is not without obstacles. Despite her strong academic record and practical advocacy experience, she finds entry into established policy institutions an uphill task. “I’m still actively looking for an internship or entry-level opportunity in a policy firm or public administration institution,” she shares. Many opportunities demand a master’s degree or rely on insider networks that shut out equally capable young professionals. “It’s frustrating, because I know I have the skills, the drive and the community insight to contribute meaningfully. But the system isn’t always built to welcome young professionals who are still in transition,” she says candidly.
As a woman, the challenge deepens further. She admits to facing skepticism in policy spaces, the kind that questions her presence before she even speaks.
“Especially when you’re a woman, young, assertive and unapologetically present, I’ve had moments where my contributions were overlooked until echoed by someone else.”
Yet, rather than dim her voice, these experiences have only reinforced her determination to claim space for herself and other young women in governance.
Advocacy in Action
Elizabeth Khavai’s advocacy is rooted in one conviction: amplifying voices that often go unheard.
“I’m most passionate about amplifying voices that are often overlooked, especially those of young people, women and marginalized communities confronting systemic gaps in access, opportunity and dignity.”
Education is one of the issues closest to her heart. Having studied education policy, she has seen the structural cracks that undermine learners in Kenya and across Africa. To her, education is a lifeline. But barriers such as stalled school feeding programs or limited conditional cash transfers continue to derail children’s futures.
“I’ve seen how gaps in policies like inconsistent school feeding programs or limited conditional cash transfers can derail a child’s entire future. Advocacy in this space isn’t just about reforming systems it’s about restoring hope.”
Her work also extends into gender equality and social inclusion. As a Community Digital Champion in Busia County, Khavai is building safe, inclusive online spaces where every person, regardless of age, gender, or background, is seen, heard, and protected. Climate change, too, is an area she feels strongly about. Though still growing her involvement in environmental advocacy, she recognizes the disproportionate burden it places on vulnerable communities. For her, environmental justice and social justice are inseparable.
Looking at Kenya and Africa more broadly, she believes young leaders must step into the gaps where policy sounds good on paper but fails in practice. Education again emerges as a prime example. Despite frameworks aligned to SDG 4 (quality education), many learners still drop out due to inconsistent school feeding programs or mismanaged bursaries. “The issue isn’t just about funding. It’s about poor coordination and a lack of community involvement,” she points out. Similarly, she sees digital governance as another urgent frontier. With SDG 9 highlighting inclusive innovation, the growing digital divide signals the need for youth who understand technology to shape policies on access, safety, and data protection.
Balancing technical expertise with empathy is what distinguishes Khavai’s approach. “Policy isn’t just paperwork, it’s people,” she says. Her academic grounding has equipped her to analyze frameworks and draft recommendations, but her advocacy keeps her tethered to the realities of those affected. “Even when I’m working on something highly technical, I make sure it’s rooted in lived experience,” she explains. Her internship in public administration taught her that delivery is about more than systems, it is also about tone, timing, and trust. That perspective guides her as she translates complex policy into messages and solutions communities can connect with.
In her own words: “Real change happens when policy is not just technically sound but emotionally intelligent and community-driven.”
Vision for Africa’s Future
Despite her growing recognition, Elizabeth Khavai is quick to remind young people that she, too, is still on the journey.
“I’d say that I’m still figuring things out. I’m young in the field and every step I take is a mix of learning, unlearning and leaning on those who’ve walked ahead of me,” she says with humility.
Mentors, lecturers, and peers have all played a role in shaping her voice and sharpening her thinking, and she acknowledges that the climb is ongoing.
For those who look up to her, she offers grounded lessons. The first: you don’t need to have it all figured out to start making a difference. Whether it’s writing a brief, facilitating a workshop, or speaking up in a room where your voice feels small, the act of showing up with clarity and purpose matters more than perfection. She has also discovered that impact often comes quietly, in mentoring a peer, drafting a document that guides decisions behind the scenes, or asking the difficult questions others avoid. Above all, she emphasizes the power of authenticity.
“In policy spaces, it’s easy to get lost in jargon or formality. But the most powerful leaders I’ve met are those who speak plainly, listen deeply and stay rooted in their communities.”
Elizabeth Khavai
Looking ahead, Khavai envisions an Africa where policy is evidence-based, inclusive, and proactive, a future in which advocacy anticipates challenges and amplifies marginalized voices before crises erupt.
“My role, as I see it, is to help bridge the gap between policy and people. Whether it’s in education, gender inclusion or digital equity, I want to be part of shaping policies that are not only technically sound, but also felt and understood by the communities they’re meant to serve.”
Elizabeth Khavai
To prepare herself, Khavai is actively seeking opportunities in policy firms and research institutions, where she can sharpen her expertise and gain exposure to diverse governance environments.
“My guiding mantra has always been from Malcolm X: ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ That’s the kind of future I’m preparing for, and I’m ready to play my part.”
Elizabeth Khavai
In her rising, may many more rise, stepping deliberately into policy and advocacy, guided by purpose and grounded in the realities of their communities. Her journey reminds us that building a better Africa is not the work of a few, but the responsibility of all who dare to act.
Each of us has a role to play; the question is not if we will, but when we begin. The time to step forward is now, and the work to shape tomorrow starts with each of us today.
- The Rise of Suicide Posts in Digital Spaces Reflects a Growing Mental Health Crisis - February 22, 2026
- How Kenya’s Silent Lifestyle Disease Crisis Is Reshaping Public Health - February 12, 2026
- The Rise of Lifestyle Diseases Emerges as a Crisis Among Kenya’s Youth - February 9, 2026
