Bill Omondi, the founder of the Debate Circle. His company helps learners and aspiring leaders nurture their debating skills through various platforms. It also helps the debators access platforms they can use to amplify issues affecting day to day life.
Traditionally, most schools have always had debate clubs where students discuss a range of topical issues. However, this was often confined to interschool competitions, rarely extending beyond the academic environment.
Over time, though, the role of debate in student life has evolved dramatically. What was once seen as a niche extracurricular activity has become a powerful vehicle for youth engagement, shaping national conversations, influencing public opinion, and redefining how young people interact with social and political issues.
Debate is no longer just about winning trophies; it’s about nurturing informed, articulate, and socially conscious citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the world around them economically and socially.
Five years ago, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bill Omondi began to reimagine how debate could serve as a tool for empowerment.
With students confined to their homes, disconnected from physical learning environments, and grappling with uncertainty, he saw an opportunity to build something greater: a platform where young people could engage meaningfully with current socio-political affairs, sharpen their critical thinking, and find their voice in a world that seemed increasingly chaotic.
This vision led to the creation of The Debate Circle, an initiative that has since grown into a vibrant hub for learning, leadership development, and community building across Africa.
It started as a modest initiative, but with time, it attracted students from junior schools, high schools, and universities, who come together to participate in structured debates and discussions on a range of issues.
Through this engagement, they have not only managed to sharpen their academic abilities, but also developed key life skills that are crucial for leadership, innovation, communication, and active citizenship.
Omondi’s inspiration came from a realisation that the world increasingly values soft skills as determinants of success in leadership and employability. While many learners perform well academically, few have access to opportunities that nurture their communication abilities, creativity, and self-confidence.
“Together with some partners, I wanted to bridge this gap by creating an environment where learners can express themselves, engage in meaningful dialogue, and learn to appreciate diverse perspectives, locally and globally,” he says.
500 students
The Debate Circle has successfully, over the years, built a community where young people engage in meaningful discourse that prepares them for the world.
“In our very first year, we directly engaged over 500 students across schools and universities. The positive feedback reaffirmed the demand for such a platform and encouraged us to expand our reach, which has grown to millions both in person and online over the years.”
The outreach model involves partnerships with educators, corporates, NGOs, and private institutions interested in equipping young people with soft skills, promoting positive and sustainable agendas alongside academics.
The debates cover a wide range of topics themed around sustainable development, from education, environment, technology, and governance to social issues like gender equality, climate change, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement.
“The idea is to expose learners to real-world issues while sharpening their research and analytical skills,” Omondi explains.
The debates are hosted in person in schools and convention centres, as well as virtually.
“Our hybrid model has allowed us to reach a broader audience, including students from across the country, and even international participants,” he adds.
The charges are flexible and guided by the ability of partners to contribute, sponsor motions, and support the sustainability of the program.
“While our roots are firmly in Kenya, we have engaged learners and partners in other African countries like Rwanda, and recently, South Africa, creating an intercultural exchange of ideas,” he notes.
Omondi adds that the vision is to continue expanding the international footprint to make The Debate Circle a Pan-African platform.
He adds that his greatest motivation comes from seeing learners as young as seven years grow in confidence and skill.
“Watching a shy student transform into a bold speaker with eloquence, confidence, and knowledgeability of meaningful issues or a reserved learner blossom into a team leader gives us the drive to keep building the platform and preparing our youth for the future,” he says.
Remarkable milestones
One of The Debate Circle’s most remarkable milestones is the recent Pan Africa Junior Speakers Competition held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The event brought together hundreds of students from across the continent, demonstrating that debate can serve as a platform to unite young minds and cultivate character and community spirit.
The Kenyan teams emerged winners, demonstrating not only eloquence but also the impact of rigorous preparation and teamwork, hallmarks of The Debate Circle’s approach to youth development.
Despite these successes, Omondi acknowledges the persistent challenges faced by many social enterprises, chief among them being sustainable funding.
Another hurdle is the perception held by some schools and communities that debate is merely an extracurricular activity rather than a transformative tool for critical thinking, communication, and leadership development.
“We're committed to shifting that mindset,” Omondi emphasises. “We actively engage educators, parents, and policymakers to highlight how debate enhances both personal growth and future career readiness,” he adds.
He envisions the initiative becoming Africa’s leading platform for soft skills development. Otieno, a co-founder, outlines a bold strategy for scaling the initiative:
“We plan to establish regional debate hubs that provide accessible training and resources across the continent. Through e-learning modules, we’ll bring structured debate education to even the most remote areas. We’re also launching mentorship programs to connect learners with seasoned professionals who can guide and inspire them,” he adds.
Through the platform, he looks forward to empowering a new generation of articulate, confident, and socially responsible African leaders, young people equipped not only to speak well, but to listen deeply, think critically, and lead with integrity.
