Kenyan Somali educator, poet, author and education leader Mohamed Elmi Diisow, popularly known as Abwaan Diisow, has been named CEO of the Year at the ETA Awards 2026, held at Semara Hotel in Machakos.
The prestigious recognition celebrates Diisow’s leadership, commitment to education and his efforts to build and develop Elmi Diisow Academy, a private primary school based in Kajiado County.
Through his work in education, poetry, writing and community engagement, Diisow has established himself as a prominent Somali voice within Kenya’s education and creative sectors.
Speaking after receiving the award, Diisow expressed gratitude to the ETA Awards organisers, the people who supported and voted for him, and the team behind Elmi Diisow Academy.
He particularly recognised the contribution of the school’s management and staff, including the manager, head teacher, chairman, deputy chairman, teachers and other members of the team.
“This achievement is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who believed in me, supported me and stood with me throughout the journey.”
The CEO of the Year award adds another milestone to Diisow’s growing profile as an educator and creative professional. His work combines education, leadership, Somali poetry, writing and cultural advocacy.
For Elmi Diisow Academy, the recognition also represents an important moment for the institution and its wider community, highlighting the role of education leaders who are investing in learning and developing opportunities for children.
The ETA Awards 2026 brought together professionals, educators, creatives and community leaders to recognise achievements across different fields.
Diisow’s recognition as CEO of the Year marks a significant achievement in his leadership journey, but it also comes after more than two decades of work spanning poetry, journalism, cultural leadership and education entrepreneurship.
From Poetry to Leadership
Abwaan Mohamed Elmi Diisow is a Kenyan-based Somali educator, entrepreneur, poet, author, media contributor and cultural advocate whose professional journey spans more than 20 years.
His career began with a deep connection to Somali poetry and literature before expanding into journalism, cultural programmes, artistic organisations, community activities and, eventually, education entrepreneurship.
For more than two decades, Diisow has been actively involved in Somali poetry and cultural expression, using literature and storytelling to preserve language and culture, communicate social ideas, engage communities and connect different generations.
His literary work has reached audiences through Somali and Kenyan media platforms, radio and television. His experience as an independent freelance journalist with BBC Somali further strengthened his skills in journalism, storytelling and community-focused communication.
His public identity as “Abwaan Diisow” is closely connected to his literary journey. In Somali cultural tradition, the title “Abwaan” is associated with a knowledgeable and accomplished person in poetry, language, literature and cultural expression.
Rather than remaining solely a poet, Diisow gradually developed into a communicator, organiser and cultural leader—a journey that would eventually lead him into education.
A Journey Through Media and Culture
Diisow’s work in storytelling extends beyond poetry.
In 2008/2009, he became a member of Xiddigta, a newspaper published in Nairobi, gaining early experience in journalism, writing and the media environment.
In 2010, he joined HADAF, an arts and awareness organisation that brought together young Somali poets, artists and journalists.
His media journey later included work as an independent freelance journalist with BBC Somali, giving him further experience in reporting, storytelling and communicating community issues.
Over the years, his poetry and cultural work have appeared on or been associated with various Somali and Kenyan media platforms, including Radio Ergo, Star, Risaala, Hiiraanweyn, Dalsoor, SomNews, Kalsan, Somali Channel, VOA Somali, BBC Somali, Barkulan, RTN, Universal TV, KBC, Citizen TV, Education News and Busradio, among others.
His cultural leadership also grew during this period. In 2014, Diisow became Chairman of Hillaac, a Somali arts and literary group in Kenya that brought together musicians, poets and other creatives.
Hillaac provided a platform for Somali artists and creatives to connect, collaborate and promote Somali music, poetry and culture, strengthening Diisow’s role not only as a poet but also as an organiser and cultural leader.
His cultural activities have extended across Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Garissa, Kajiado and Kampala, Uganda. While living in Eldoret between 2010 and 2015, he was involved with the Eldoret Poets Association and participated in organising poetry and cultural activities in the city.
He is also a member of the Kenya Poets Association and the Eldoret Poets Association.
From Culture to Education
The next major chapter of Diisow’s journey was education.
As his experience in literature, media and community leadership developed, he turned his attention toward building an institution that could have a direct impact on children’s lives.
That vision became Elmi Diisow Academy.
The school began with just two learners. Through persistence, community engagement and a commitment to education, it has grown into a school serving approximately 150 learners, currently offering education from Playgroup to Grade 6.
The academy now has more than 20 staff members, including teaching and school leadership teams, administrative and support staff, security and cleaning personnel, as well as kitchen and catering teams. The school also provides transport services.
For Diisow, however, the academy represents more than an educational business. It is a long-term community project built around the belief that children deserve access to quality education, confidence-building opportunities and an environment that develops both academic ability and character.
The academy places emphasis on academic development, English communication and confidence, discipline and character development, reading and language development, as well as individual attention to learners.
The growth from two learners to approximately 150 represents not only enrolment growth but also the development of trust between the school, parents, teachers and the surrounding community.
Leadership Built on Experience
Diisow’s leadership philosophy has been shaped by his different professional experiences.
His years as a poet taught him the power of communication. His journalism experience strengthened his understanding of storytelling and community issues, while his cultural leadership taught him the importance of collaboration.
His work in education has brought these experiences together, allowing him to turn his knowledge, creativity and leadership into an institution serving children and families.
For Diisow, leadership involves taking responsibility, building people, listening to the community, learning from challenges, creating opportunities and turning ideas into institutions.
The CEO of the Year award therefore adds another chapter to a journey that has moved from the poetry stage to journalism, cultural leadership and education entrepreneurship.
Recognition Beyond the 2026 Award
The ETA Awards 2026 recognition is also part of a growing record of recognition for Diisow’s work.
In 2023, he was recognised at the Jamhuri KE Awards as Best East Africa Poet of the Year for his contribution to poetry and literary expression.
In 2024, he received the Poet of the Year award at the ETA Awards, marking another milestone in his literary career.
The 2026 CEO of the Year award represents a new chapter, reflecting his transition from creative and cultural work into education entrepreneurship and institutional leadership.
Beyond awards, Diisow has also built a significant digital audience through years of sharing poetry, cultural content, educational messages and community-focused communication.
His platforms currently include more than 185,000 followers on TikTok, over 100,000 followers on Facebook and more than 70,000 YouTube subscribers.
Through these platforms, he continues to promote Somali poetry, literature, culture, education, community stories and youth development.
Today, Mohamed Elmi Diisow’s professional identity brings together several roles: poet, author, journalist and media contributor, cultural organiser, educator, entrepreneur and school founder and CEO.
His journey demonstrates how creative experience can evolve into leadership and institution-building, while maintaining a connection to community and culture.
From the stage as Abwaan Diisow, to the media, and ultimately to the leadership of Elmi Diisow Academy, his work continues to centre on three interconnected ideas: words that communicate, culture that connects and education that transforms.
The CEO of the Year recognition at the ETA Awards 2026 consequently marks another milestone in a career defined by poetry, storytelling, cultural advocacy and a growing commitment to education.
