About Rotary District 9216
Rotary District 9216 is a vital part of Rotary International’s extensive global network, covering Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya - Central region, Eastern region, Eastern Nairobi, Coastal region.
The District was formally established on July 1, 2026, following the redistricting of Rotary District 9212 to establish two new entities: District 9215 and District 9216. District 9216 has 78 Rotaract clubs with a total of 1,375 members and 83 Rotary Clubs with 1,853 members, showcasing a robust commitment to community service and growth.
Rotary’s legacy in the region commenced in 1930 with the founding of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, which marked the first Rotary presence between South Africa and Cairo. The oldest clubs in Rotary District 9216 are the Rotary Club of Mombasa that was chartered in 1944 and the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, which was chartered in 1955. The only club in Eritrea, The Rotary Club of Asmara, was in 1997.
Rotary’s legacy in the region commenced in 1930 with the founding of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, which marked the first Rotary presence between South Africa and Cairo. The oldest clubs in Rotary District 9216 are the Rotary Club of Mombasa that was chartered in 1944 and the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa, which was chartered in 1955. The only club in Eritrea, The Rotary Club of Asmara, was in 1997.
The idea of a Rotary District came about in 1915, thanks to H J Brunnier of the Rotary Club of San Francisco whose idea of using a railway schedule map to divide the original American clubs into districts attempted to make the organization easier to manage.
The first districts in Rotary comprised of nineteen districts: fifteen in the USA; three in Canada; and one in the United Kingdom. As Rotary developed, firstly in the USA and then in Canada, important international ties of friendship were created. Today we have more than 535 districts that encompass many countries, nationalities and cultures.
The first districts in Rotary comprised of nineteen districts: fifteen in the USA; three in Canada; and one in the United Kingdom. As Rotary developed, firstly in the USA and then in Canada, important international ties of friendship were created. Today we have more than 535 districts that encompass many countries, nationalities and cultures.
DG Esayas Yeyesuswork
District Governor, District 9216 Rotary Year 2026/27
DG Esayas Yeyesuswork brings over 39 years of distinguished professional experience spanning leadership, business management, and human resources across both private enterprises and public institutions. With more than 30 years in senior leadership roles including serving as CEO of a local oil company, he has built a reputation for steady, people-centered leadership. He currently serves as COO at Lebawi International Academy, and holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University.
A committed servant leader, DG Esayas has dedicated over 25 years to Rotary, having joined the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Bole in 2000. Over the years, he has served with distinction at club, country, and district levels, including two terms as Club President and numerous leadership roles across all avenues of service. His contributions extend to Rotary Ethiopia and District
leadership, where he has served as an Assistant Governor, Country Chair, District Conference Vice Chair, among others. A Paul Harris Fellow +3, he is deeply passionate about service and leadership development. Beyond Rotary, he has actively contributed to professional and community organizations, including serving on the Executive Committee of the Society of Human Resource Management Ethiopia and the board of the Children Heart Fund of Ethiopia. A long-standing member of Blue Nile Toastmasters, he is also a devoted mentor to over forty young professionals. Married for 31 years and a proud father of one adult daughter, DG Esayas enjoys reading, playing tennis, and walking in his leisure time.
