Development Committee Chair
Kennedy Karanja Wangari is an accomplished advocate for global governance based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a World Federalist dedicated to weaving an African perspective into the fabric of global governance reform
He currently serves as the Organizing Lead for the East Africa chapter of Young World Federalists and is an active member of the World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy (WFM-IGP)’s Transnational Working Group on Global Movement Building. He previously contributed to the WFM-IGP’s Transnational Working Group on Africa-Europe Affairs and is a member of the Youth Advisory Board in the International Relations Society of Kenya.
Kennedy holds a BA in International Studies and a Diploma in International Relations, both from Strathmore University.
WHY ARE YOU A WORLD FEDERALIST?
My motivation to be a world federalist is deeply connected to the opportunity to influence the trajectory of history in Africa, especially in my home region of East Africa.
This vision is anchored in major continental blueprints: Aspiration (2) and Goal (8) of the African Union Agenda 2063 explicitly call for an ‘Integrated Continent Politically united and based on the ideals of Pan Africanism,’ moving towards a ‘United Africa (Federal or Confederate).’
The pursuit of a political federation is also the final stage of the integration process for the East African Community (EAC), an intergovernmental organization encompassing Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia. In 2016, the EAC formally adopted a Confederation as the transitional model for the East African Federation, making this the most concrete regional experiment in federalism today. My work seeks to support and accelerate this integration process. I see world federalism as the essential framework for realizing this vital stage of African integration.
WHAT IS THE WORLD YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS?
Since joining the World Federalist Movement in 2020 through the Young World Federalists, my mission has been clear: to champion world federalism while ensuring it is informed by a Global South and African perspective.
The future of global governance reform lies in harnessing Africa’s unique power. This includes leveraging the continent’s significant numerical weight in multilateral platforms (e.g., 28% of UN General Assembly votes), its history of demanding reforms (like the Ezulwini Consensus), and its ongoing federation-focused processes.
Through collaboration with African nations, the WFM can provide technical support to continental federation experiments and act as a powerful agent for systemic change. As the Development Committee Chair at WFM-IGP, I am actively dedicated to forging new strategic partnerships with African governments and civil society organizations to cement this crucial new chapter in the history of the WFM.