Associate Fellows

Eager to make a meaningful impact, our associate fellows bring fresh perspectives, innovative thinking, and a drive for excellence to our organization. Through mentorship and collaboration, they contribute to our collective growth, shaping the future of our endeavors with enthusiasm and dedication.

Professor Macharia Munene

Associate Fellow

Professor Macharia Munene

Associate Fellow

Professor Macharia Munene is a specialist in Diplomacy, Geopolitics and Foreign Relations at the HORN Institute. He previously taught History and International Relations at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A), Ohio University (USA) and The University of Nairobi. He is professionally affiliated to the National Defence College and Universidad Jaume-1, Castellon, Spain. He is a globally acclaimed commentator. Prof. Macharia is widely published on international affairs, history, decolonisation, governance and politics. Prof. Macharia received his PhD in Diplomatic History in 1985 from Ohio University.

Lilian Namuma S. Kong’ani, Ph.D (UoN)

Associate Fellow

Lilian Namuma S. Kong’ani, Ph.D (UoN)

Associate Fellow

Lilian Namuma S. Kong’ani is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Cape Town, currently co-leading governance research and stakeholder engagement on a project, “Cascading Climate and Health Risks in African Cities.” She has a Ph.D. in Environmental Governance and Management (University of Nairobi). She is a mediator, an alumna fellow at the Mawazo Learning Exchange Programme, Mawazo Institute, Kenya, and the Laureate of the 2022 African Peacebuilding Network of Social Science Research Council Individual Research Fellowship grant. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and participated in several local and international conferences. Kong’ani is interested and passionate in areas spanning natural resources governance and management, climate change, community development, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming, environmental impact assessment, sustainable development, and humanitarian work, among others. Previously, Kong’ani worked as a tutorial fellow/lecturer at the University of Nairobi. She believes in taking on new challenges and contributing to solutions to local and global development and environmental issues for inter- and intra-generational equity.

Prof. Phillip O. Nyinguro, PhD.

Associate Fellow

Prof. Phillip O. Nyinguro, PhD.

Associate Fellow

Phillip O. Nyinguro is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (University of Nairobi), Master’s degree in Political Science (University of Nairobi) and a PhD. in Political Science (University of South Carolina). A Fullbright scholar, Prof. Nyinguro’s areas of specialization are International Relations, Comparative Politics, Policy (public and foreign) and Area Studies.

Apart from teaching and researching at the University of Nairobi, Prof. Nyinguro holds other academic positions, including; (a) Visiting Lecturer, Center for Conflict Management (CCM), Kigali, Rwanda; (b) Resource person (Rwanda Defense and Staff Command College); (c) Research Proposal Reviewer (Aides a la Formation- Recherche (AFR)), National Research Fund in Luxembourg; (d) Resource Person and Adjunct Lecturer at the National Defence College, Karen, Nairobi; (e) External Examiner at Moi University, Kenya.

Before joining the faculty at the University of Nairobi, Prof. Nyinguro had worked as an Assistant Secretary in the office of the President, Assistant Secretary in Ministry of Health, Chief Administrative Officer, Kenya Medical Supplies Coordination Unit and as a District administrator in the Republic of Kenya. At the University of Nairobi, Prof. Nyinguro has been Chairman, Department of Political Science and Public Administration (2003-2009 and 2017-2018), Member, Board of Post-Graduate Studies, Ag. Director, Center for International Programmes and Links, and Coordinator for certificate, Diploma, Post-graduate Diploma and Master degree programmes at the National Intelligence Academy, Nairobi (accredited to the University of Nairobi).

Prof. Nyinguro has also served as External Examiner at the University of Dar es Salaam, Makerere Business School at Bukolobi, Uganda, Catholic University of East Africa (Nairobi), Maseno University, University of Botswana and University of Johannesburg. He was also the Kenyan coordinator for Uongozi East Africa Institute.

Prof. Nyinguro’s current teaching and research interests are in the following areas: Public policy theory and practice, Kenya’s Foreign Policy, International Relations theory and practice, Foreign Policy Analysis, Politics and Government in Africa, US-Africa Relations, National Security and Strategic Studies, Regional Integration, Ethnicity and African politics, Theoretical and Epistemogical aspects of Social Science research, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.

Some of Prof. Nyinguro’s publications include: “The Role of India Diaspora in Indo-African Cooperation” in Ruduta Beri, ed. India and Africa: Enhancing Mutual Engagement; “Cooperation in Peace and Security: A Kenyan Perspective,” in East African Federation: Political, Economic and Security Implications for Member Countries (2011); “The Resource Dimension of Conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa,” in Regional Development Dialogue, Vol. 26, No. 1 (spring 2005); PP 40-49; “Social Movements and Democratic transitions in Kenya,” Journal of Asian and African Studies, Prof. Phillip O. Nyinguro, PhD. Vol. 42: 5-24; “The External Sources of Kenya’s Democratization Process,” Journal of Political Science, vol. 25 (1997), pp 5-35; “Peace and Security in Post-Cold War Africa: Safeguarding the Future,” African Journal of Political Economy, Special Edition (1993): 119-148; and “The East African Community’s Prospects on the Global Stage” in Rok Ajulu (ed.), The Making of a Region: The Revival of The East African Community, Midrand, S.A, 2005, pp 31-44.

He is currently working on the following book projects: Essays in Politics and Government in Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga: The Interface between Belief System and Practice, Issues in Kenya’s Foreign Policy, Tropical Issues in Politics and Government in Africa and the External Dimensions of the Public Policy in Kenya.

Dr. Susan Mwangi

Associate Fellow

Dr. Susan Mwangi

Associate Fellow

Dr. Luchetu Likaka PhD

Associate Fellow

Dr. Luchetu Likaka PhD

Associate Fellow

Dr. Luchetu Likaka PhD is a distinguished consultant criminologist and sociologist, boasting over 15 years of experience in the field. He holds a PhD in Sociology, Master of Arts in Criminology, Master of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelors in Sociology and Philosophy. He possesses a profound understanding of the societal factors that contribute to crime and leverages this knowledge to devise effective crime prevention strategies. His thematic focus encompasses migration, refugees, security, organized and transnational crimes, and climate change.

As a researcher, Dr. Luchetu has made significant contributions to the fields of criminology and sociology. His research is centered on comprehending the social dynamics that lead to crime and formulating evidence-based policies to mitigate these issues. He has an impressive portfolio of articles published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented his findings at numerous international conferences.

In addition to his research, Dr. Luchetu is a respected policy influencer. He regularly collaborates with government agencies and non-profit organizations to develop and implement policies aimed enhancing societal conditions. His expertise and insights have been instrumental in shaping policies at both local and national levels. His work continues to have a profound impact on society, contributing to safer and more secure communities.

Dr. Elijah N. Munyi

Associate Fellow

Dr. Elijah N. Munyi

Associate Fellow

Dr. Elijah N. Munyi is the Research Manager and Policy Writer at Trademark Africa with training in political economy and development. He received his PhD in international relations from Aalborg University, Denmark. His current research is in Africa’s International Economic Relations. He is the editor (with David Mwambari and Aleksi Ylonen) of the book Beyond History: African Agency in Development, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution -among other publications. He is the 2019 recipient of the SAIS-CARI Fellowship by the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and in was 2021/22 a visiting fellow at the Geneva’s Graduate Institute Global Health Center. His recent research interest are on African states trade and development cooperation policies.

Dr. Peter Kirui

Associate Fellow

Dr. Peter Kirui

Associate Fellow

Dr. Peter Kirui is a lecturer of History, Governance and Political Studies at University of Eldoret, Kenya and is the immediate Head of Humanities Department. Prior to joining University of Eldoret in 2014, he worked as a Tutorial Fellow (Karatina University) and as an Education Officer at Dadaab Refugee Camps under CARE Kenya and Windle Trust where he implemented UNHCR projects. He holds a PhD in Conflict Transformation from University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master of Governance and Development (Conflict Track) from University of Antwerp, where he was the 2018-2019 VLIR-UOS Master scholar. He is an alumnus of Moi University, where he attained a Master of Arts(History) and B. Ed(Arts). He is a member of British Institute in Eastern Africa(BIEA), BioCosmos Kenya and Pan-African Dialogue Institute. He is a 2024 MGIMO Visiting Fellow.

Prof. XN Iraki

Associate Fellow

Prof. XN Iraki

Associate Fellow

Prof. XN Iraki is a professor at the University of Nairobi Faculty of Business and Management Sciences. Previously, he was an assistant professor of economics at Kentucky State University , USA and an adjunct lecturer at Strathmore Business School . Beyond academia, he was a research fellow with Kenya ‘s national and social council (NESC), the government of Kenya think tank for 3 years. He has consulted widely for both local and global firms. His academic and research areas of interest include economic analysis, Sinology, innovations and technology management. Iraki has been a columnist with The Standard, Kenya ‘s oldest Newspaper since 2006. He holds a B.Ed(Physics & Maths ) and M.Ed , both from Kenyatta University, MBA( University of Nairobi ), PhD( Jackson State University , USA) and a certificate in Global Journalism ( University of Toronto , Canada ). Iraki is an amateur golfer, photographer and space science enthusiast.

Ben Mokaya

Associate Fellow

Ben Mokaya

Associate Fellow

Ben Mokaya is a leading voice in sustainable transport in Africa. He collaborates with energy and transport professionals to influence policies and raise climate capital, aiming to reduce 350,000 tons of public transport CO2 emissions annually in Kenya near-term. As an Agora Verkehrswende Sustainable Transport Fellow, Ben works with a network of local stakeholders and international experts to innovate and expand sustainable transport initiatives that are necessary to unlock Africa’s economic growth.