Raphael Obonyo is a multi-award-winning public policy and youth specialist, diplomat, and author with extensive experience in governance, human rights, and international development. He co-founded The Youth Congress, a leading youth-led organisation in Kenya. He has served on various advisory bodies, including the UN-Habitat Youth Advisory Board and the World Bank’s Global Coordination Board. Raphael has been recognised with several accolades, including the UN Person of the Year (2016) and the Africa Youth Awards Leader of the Year (2018). He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Duke University and teaches International Youth Policy as an adjunct professor at Brandeis University. Raphael joined The Niles in 2024.