- Educator Mohamed Elmi Diisow has been recognised as CEO of the Year at the ETA Awards 2026.
- The award highlights his work in education, leadership, writing and community engagement through Elmi Diisow Academy.
- The recognition also places the Kajiado-based school within wider conversations on educational entrepreneurship and community impact.
For Mohamed Elmi Diisow, popularly known as Abwaan Diisow, being named CEO of the Year at the ETA Awards 2026 represents more than an individual achievement. It is a recognition that comes after years of combining education, leadership, writing and community engagement.
The award was presented during the ETA Awards 2026 held at Semara Hotel in Machakos, bringing recognition to Diisow’s work as an educator and founder of Elmi Diisow Academy, a private primary school in Kajiado County.
Diisow’s journey has been shaped by a strong interest in education and communication. Alongside managing a growing educational institution, he has continued his work as a Somali poet, author and media contributor, creating a public profile that connects education with literature and cultural expression.
At the centre of his professional journey is Elmi Diisow Academy. The school has developed from a local educational initiative into an institution serving learners from playgroup through the primary grades.
For Diisow, leadership goes beyond running an organisation. It involves building a team, creating opportunities for learners and developing an environment where children can grow academically and personally.
The CEO of the Year recognition therefore places attention on the broader work behind the title—the daily responsibilities of managing a school, working with teachers and parents, supporting learners and continuing to develop the institution.
Speaking after receiving the award, Diisow acknowledged the people who contributed to the journey, including the school’s management, head teacher, chairman, deputy chairman, teachers and wider staff.
“This achievement is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who believed in me, supported me and stood with me throughout the journey.”
Education, poetry and community engagement
His recognition also highlights the increasingly diverse roles he has taken on as an educator and creative professional. Through education, Somali poetry, writing and community engagement, Diisow has built a career that operates across several fields.
For Elmi Diisow Academy, the award is also a moment of institutional recognition. It places the school and its leadership within a wider conversation about private education, educational entrepreneurship and the role of community-based institutions in Kenya.
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The ETA Awards 2026 has consequently become another chapter in Diisow’s professional journey, one that began with education and continues to expand through leadership, creativity and community engagement.
By a Correspondent
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