Ruth Kagia is currently a High-Level Envoy and Advisor for Education. She works as an international development consultant and advisor with several agencies, including GPE and the World Bank.

Between 2014-September 2022 Ruth Kagia served as the Senior Advisor/Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President of Kenya. In this role she led the management of the President’s flagship and international development cooperation programs and engagements. She concurrently served as the Head of the Presidential Policy and Strategy Unit in which role she led a team of technical experts to anchor, incubate and coordinate the President’s priority programs.

Prior to rejoining Government in 2014, Ms. Kagia worked at the World Bank from 1990-2013 during which she held various positions including as World Bank Global Director for Education (2002- 2008). In this capacity she led the establishment of the Global Partnership for Education (at that time known as the Fast-Track Initiative), currently the largest global fund dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries. In 2008-2012 she served as World Bank Country Director for Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and for part of that time Mauritius and Madagascar as well). Before joining the World Bank, Mrs. Kagia worked with the Kenya Government in teaching, education management, and research.

Ms Kagia holds degrees from the Universities of Nairobi, Kenya, Harvard Graduate School of Education, USA, and the Commonwealth University, UK.

Ambassador David Gacheru is a seasoned diplomat and was recently the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Kenya in Washington DC, USA, a post he has held since August 2015. Prior to the diplomatic service, Amb. Gacheru held several positions in the private sector including more than 30 years with private sector health institutions across the United States including posts at INOVA Health Care in Virgina, the University of  Massachusetts Healthcare system, and St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

Amb. Gacheru’s portfolio includes facilitating foreign direct investment into Kenya; maintaining the relationship between Kenya and the U.S.’s development, trade and investment-focused institutions; engaging multilateral institutions and facilitating the smooth operation of their activities in Kenya; managing Kenya’s relationships with U.S. corporations; scaling up linkages and networks to market Kenya’s products in the United States; and showcasing opportunities to trade and invest in Kenya. In addition, Amb. Gacheru has facilitated people-to-people exchanges through partnerships with educational institutions in Kenya and the United States.

Ambassador Gacheru holds an MBA in Financial Accounting from Anna Maria Paxton, a BSC in Nuclear Medicine as a certified nuclear medicine technologist and clinical medicine and administrative certifications from Jersey City and Pace Universities in New Jersey and New York, respectively.

Dr. Jacinta Maweu, PhD is a Philosophy and Media studies expert with 18 years of teaching and research experience at the University level. Dr. Jacinta is a Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLLF) Fellow at the University of Nairobi and an Africa Peacebuilding Network (APN) Fellow of the Social Science Research Council. She is currently a founder and Chairperson of the Peace and Development Researchers Association (PADRA) which brings together Social Science and Research Council (SSRC) fellows in Kenya to network and do collaborative research on peace, development and related pressing societal issues. She has been involved in various International collaborative research projects on climate change, media and democracy.

Dr. Maweu is mentor and trainer of early career researchers and a member of the selection and advisory board of the SSRC. She also holds several roles as the Secretary General, Africa Peace Research and Education Association (AFPREA) and a member of the Executive Council of International Peace Research Association (IPRA). Her research interests include: political mis/disinformation, media and conflict/peacebuilding, media and democracy, elections, political philosophy, intercultural philosophy, political economy and climate change, critical and creative thinking, traditional logic, philosophy and society, philosophy and gender, environmental philosophy, metaphysics, media ethics, media and human rights and philosophy of education. She has over 40 publications in refereed journals, book chapters and book volumes.

Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Robert. G Kabage, PhD, EBS is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) OF Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC).He is a distinguished peace, conflict and security management expert, an accomplished practitioner and academic with national, continental and international expertise. Until his retirement in 2016, he diligently served the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for over 35 years. Between 1999 and 2001, Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Kabage was deployed as a Peacekeeper in Sierra Leone in charge of the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) program. From 2008 to 2011, he was posted as a Defense Attaché, at the Kenya Mission to the United Nations (KMUN) in New York. He later served as the Director of the International Peace Support Training Center (IPSTC) between 2012 and 2015. Upon his retirement, the KDF seconded him to the African Union Commission (AUC) as the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E) at the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2016 to 2020.

For his exemplary service in KDF, he was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) of Kenya in 2013, in recognition for his efforts in developing and maintaining internal institutional cohesion, creating partnerships with external agencies such as the United Nations, the African Union and other potential peace support partners; delivering peace support operations training to East Africa Standby Force, and meticulous management of the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) budget.

He was also awarded a United Nations Medal for his exemplary performance as a peacekeeper in the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), where he was recognized for his leadership as a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) officer, for conducting successful intensive sensitization programmes, establishing and operationalizing DDR centres in the remote rebel-held areas of the country. On the academic front, Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Kabage holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenya. He also has a Master of Science degree in Governance, Peace and Security (Security Management option), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Africa Nazarene University, Kenya. He holds two Diplomas in Strategic Studies and International Relations, both from the University of Nairobi. He also holds a Diploma in Stores Management and Stock Control from London College. He has been a Peace and Security Management lecturer at Laikipia and Egerton Universities in Kenya.

Until his current appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC), Dr. Kabage was the Executive Director of The Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS), from February 2022 to February 2024, where he contributed to its growth, to be one of the leading think tanks in Kenya with regional and international influence.

Dr. Kabage is well-published with his research interests focused on the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Framework, peacekeeping, transnational crimes, national and regional security, border defence and community policing strategies. His recent article is titled “Upsurge in violent extremism across Africa: Capacity building deficit to addressing radicalization”.

Dr. Kabage has consulted for various institutions such as the African Union Peace Support Operations Division (AU PSOD), the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) and the National Defence University, Kenya (NDU- K).

Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Robert. G Kabage, PhD, EBS is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) OF Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC).He is a distinguished peace, conflict and security management expert, an accomplished practitioner and academic with national, continental and international expertise. Until his retirement in 2016, he diligently served the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for over 35 years. Between 1999 and 2001, Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Kabage was deployed as a Peacekeeper in Sierra Leone in charge of the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) program. From 2008 to 2011, he was posted as a Defense Attaché, at the Kenya Mission to the United Nations (KMUN) in New York. He later served as the Director of the International Peace Support Training Center (IPSTC) between 2012 and 2015. Upon his retirement, the KDF seconded him to the African Union Commission (AUC) as the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (M&E) at the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 2016 to 2020.

For his exemplary service in KDF, he was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) of Kenya in 2013, in recognition for his efforts in developing and maintaining internal institutional cohesion, creating partnerships with external agencies such as the United Nations, the African Union and other potential peace support partners; delivering peace support operations training to East Africa Standby Force, and meticulous management of the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) budget.

He was also awarded a United Nations Medal for his exemplary performance as a peacekeeper in the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), where he was recognized for his leadership as a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) officer, for conducting successful intensive sensitization programmes, establishing and operationalizing DDR centres in the remote rebel-held areas of the country. On the academic front, Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Kabage holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kenya. He also has a Master of Science degree in Governance, Peace and Security (Security Management option), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from Africa Nazarene University, Kenya. He holds two Diplomas in Strategic Studies and International Relations, both from the University of Nairobi. He also holds a Diploma in Stores Management and Stock Control from London College. He has been a Peace and Security Management lecturer at Laikipia and Egerton Universities in Kenya.

Until his current appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC), Dr. Kabage was the Executive Director of The Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS), from February 2022 to February 2024, where he contributed to its growth, to be one of the leading think tanks in Kenya with regional and international influence.

Dr. Kabage is well-published with his research interests focused on the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Framework, peacekeeping, transnational crimes, national and regional security, border defence and community policing strategies. His recent article is titled “Upsurge in violent extremism across Africa: Capacity building deficit to addressing radicalization”.

Dr. Kabage has consulted for various institutions such as the African Union Peace Support Operations Division (AU PSOD), the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) and the National Defence University, Kenya (NDU- K).

Agnes, our Geopolitical Shifts Lead Researcher, brings expertise in global power dynamics and emerging alliances to MRPC’s strategic vision. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Security Studies from the University of Bradford (UK) and has more than seven years of experience in project management. She is also an active member of Women in International Security (WIIS), reflecting her commitment to advancing inclusive leadership in the field. Having worked in leading Research and Development hubs, Agnes now applies her interests in security economics and risk mitigation to designing frameworks that enhance transformative influence in the security sector. At the Centre, she leads the monitoring, analysis and evaluation of international dynamics, translating complex geopolitical data into clear, actionable foresight insights. Her work supports decision-making across MRPC and its partner projects throughout Eastern Africa, ensuring they remain agile and well-prepared in the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Alfred Eket is a Research Fellow at Mashariki Research and Policy Centre, where he serves as the lead researcher for Environmental Security. He is passionate about contributing to a better understanding of this thematic focus area through rigorous, high quality, original and impactful research. With five years of professional experience in diverse sectors, Alfred brings a unique blend of administrative and academic expertise to his work. He has two years of experience in academic research writing, and has previously served as an office administrator and general manager. This background allows him to approach tasks with a strong focus on detail and a results-oriented mindset. Alfred holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Environment from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). To further enhance his professional skills, he completed a 10-day training on Management Skills and Leadership Development at eKRAAL Hub Training Center in Nairobi in March 2023. His research interests span several key areas, including environment, sociology, sustainable development as well as risk and disaster management, with special focus on Eastern Africa.

Paul Middlemiss is a retired British Army Colonel, international security and leadership consultant, and strategic adviser with over 35 years of military service and more than two decades of international consultancy experience. He has worked extensively across Europe, Africa and Asia, supporting governments, research institutions, military academies, educational organisations and private sector clients in strengthening resilience, leadership and organisational preparedness. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the British Army Staff College, he holds an MA in Defence Studies from the University of Westminster and a BA in German Language and Literature from the University of Maryland. He is fluent in German, French and Italian, with working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Paul’s professional expertise encompasses strategic security, crisis management, governance, institutional capacity-building, leadership development and organisational resilience. His work has included collaboration with NATO partners, participation in OSCE election observation missions, and the design and delivery of training programmes for senior leaders, security professionals and educational institutions. He has advised organisations on security risk management, emergency preparedness and the development of practical policies that strengthen institutional effectiveness. Committed to fostering international collaboration, Paul brings a pragmatic, multidisciplinary perspective shaped by decades of leadership in complex and multicultural environments. He is particularly interested in contributing to applied research, policy development and professional education that enhance security, governance and sustainable institutional development.

To be updated.

Amb. Salim Mohamed Salim is a long-serving career diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. Amb. Salim most recently served as the Ambassador of Kenya to the Republic of Djibouti and in Nairobi as Director-General for Multilateral and International Affairs.

During the course of his career, he has served in different capacities at the Ministry headquarters, including as the Director, Middle East Directorate, and as Chef de Cabinet for the Principal Secretary.

In addition to serving as the Ambassador of Kenya to Djibouti, Ambassador Salim has served in different missions including, as Head of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of Kenya in Moscow. He has also served in Kenya Embassy in Saudi Arabia-(1996-99), Kenya Embassy in France-(2001-2005) and Kenya Mission to the UN, in New York (2008-2012). In 2014, he joined the African Union where he served as the Deputy Head of the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA).

Amb. Salim has for many years been part of the Kenya negotiating team on Disarmament agenda, including negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), the Cluster Munitions Convention, the Ottawa Convention on landmines and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In 2012, he was elected and served as Vice Chair of the First Committee (Disarmament) of the 67th UN General Assembly.

Amb. Salim was instrumental in soliciting bilateral support to Kenya’s bid for the Non-Permanent Seat at the UN Security Council for the period 2021-2022.

Amb. Salim holds an MA in International Studies from the University of Nairobi; a BA in Political Science & Literature from the same institution; a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroun; and a Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy from the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales, Geneva(2000-2001). He is also a graduate of the National Defence College (NDC) of Kenya (2016-2017).

Amb. Salim is a fluent Kiswahili, English and French, and holds a Diplome de Langue Francaise-Paris (1993) and Advanced French Language diploma from the Kenya Institute of Administration (1992).

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 interests are in African states trade and development cooperation policies.

Dr Wekesa is the Director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa. His teaching, research, and public engagement work focus on Africa’s geopolitics. He has taught, supervised postgraduate projects, and published on the interdisciplinary perspectives of international media and communications, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Wekesa is also involved in conferencing, training, and networking initiatives on these topics at the policy, civil society, and think tank levels. His core areas of focus are Africa-China, Africa-US, Africa-Gulf States, and Africa in the world topics.

Over the years, Dr Wekesa has published thought leadership articles, newspaper opinion and commentary articles, peer-reviewed academic journal papers, book chapters, books, policy papers, discussion and position papers. He is a frequent commentator on current affairs on radio, podcasts, and television shows globally. His latest book is “China’s Footprint in East Africa: Pessimism and Optimism” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023), his latest book chapter is “Conceptual and pragmatic perspectives on African digital diplomacy” (with Yarik Turianskyi, Elgar, 2025), and his latest journal article is Tensions, Confrontations, and Consensus: WhatsApp Use in Kenyan Electoral Politics (with Job Allan Wefwafwa, and Iginio Gagliardone, Social Media + Society, 2025).  

He leads or has led several research projects, served as lead organizer for conferences and colloquia, and fundraised for projects and initiatives on Africa’s place in the world. He also consults for several local, regional, and international organizations. He currently leads the “African agency toward global powers” at Wits University in partnership with several partners from the African continent and the rest of the world.

A Commonwealth Press Union Fellow (UK, 2002), Wekesa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi (1998) and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Communication University of China (2012 and 2015, respectively). He was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand (2015).

Wekesa is the interim coordinator of the Africa-U.S. Universities Network, a fellow of the University of Southern California’s Center on Communication Leadership and Policy, a visiting professor at Howard University, USA, and an affiliate of the Africa China Initiative at Georgetown University, USA.  He is a board member of the Chinese in Africa/Africans in China Research Network and an ordinary member of the South African Communications Association, the South African Association of Political Studies, the East African Communications Association, the African Studies Association, the International Relations Society of Kenya, a working group member of the Center on Applied Research with the Orient (CARPO), and the information and digital rights research group based at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, among others. He is an editorial board member of the Digital Policy Studies journal based at the University of Johannesburg.

 Wekesa has consulted for many international organizations, including the United Nations Development Program, the American Bar Association, the United States Agency for International Development, the African Union Mission in Washington DC, and the European Union (through the civil society organization, Fahamu), among others.

David Njoga has over 23 years’ experience in the practice and research in Cybersecurity Governance, Secure Digital Transformation, Cyber Diplomacy and Artificial Intelligence. He is also a Blue Economy enthusiast. He served the Kenya Army Corps of Signals as Systems Security Engineer, Kenya Airways as Business Continuity Analyst, and Eastern Africa Standby Force as IT Special Projects Officer. He was the Lead Secretariat of the National Cyber Security Training Programme (NCSTP) at e-Kraal Innovation Hub. He also served as the Head of Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy and Standards at the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) Secretariat.

He has served as the joint secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration’s Taskforce for developing regulations for Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 and the Research Administrator for the Cybersecurity Technical Working Group of the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy.

He is currently the joint secretary of the National Taskforce on the Development of Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, Standard Operating Procedures and Related Legislative Instruments. He is a master practitioner in frameworks and standards including Lean Six Sigma, ITILv4, COBIT2019, ISO 27001/2, ISO 22301, PRINCE2, ValIT and RiskIT and has undertaken several professional assignments globally.

He has also undertaken several academia and scholarly assignments at the following local and international universities and research institutions: KCA University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Maasai Mara University, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Multi Media University of Kenya, the Open University of Kenya and the Kenya School of Government. He’s a Mentor and Trainer at the Presidential Digital Talent Programme of ICT Authority of Kenya; Women in Cyber of Strathmore University, and the Pan-African CyberSafe Foundation. In additional, he has facilitated several workshops, seminars and conferences both locally and internationally. He has published over thirty research papers in peer reviewed journals.

He is a member in good standing of the following bodies: Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), The Business Continuity Institute (BCI), The Institute of Risk Management (IRM), The Kenya Institute of Management, Data Privacy and Governance Society of Kenya

He holds Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology, Security and Audit, Master of Science degree in Information Systems Security and Audit & Networking Communications and BSc Information Sciences.

He currently serves as the Managing Partner and CEO of RisqPro Limited, a leading global business assurance provider.

Dr Colin D. Robinson lectures on contract for King’s College London, and is also affiliated with Obuda University’s African Studies Institute in Budapest.
His research examines the challenges and opportunities for OECD states’ defence aims in the remainder of the world, as well as African armies, the African Standby Force, military command and control, and New Zealand defence issues.

Since 2017 he has been examining how liberal ideas both help and impede OECD progress in building partner armies, notably in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and for Liberia, where he did his doctoral fieldwork. He has just finished a monograph for RUSI examining alternatives to large-scale expeditionary liberal-democratic counter-insurgency, Large Liberal Interventions Should End: Clues from Failure in Somalia.

He sits on the editorial boards of Defence and Security Analysis and the Journal of Central and Eastern European African Studies. He spent much of 2020-22 teaching on military decisions and strategy for the USAF Air University. He previously worked for the United Nations in Georgia, Liberia, and New York. He completed his doctorate in 2012, worked for the University of Liberia 2016-17, and then spent two years in Kenya advising the European Union on support to the Somali National Army. He then worked for Cranfield University’s Centre for Defence Management and Leadership in 2024-25.

To be updated.

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.

Justa Wawira Mwangi is a postdoctoral researcher and UNODC GRACE Scholar with over 30 years of global experience in strategic planning for governments, multinational corporations, and nonprofits. She holds a PhD in Public Policy and Management from Kenyatta University and an MSc from the University of Stirling, UK. Her research focuses on the intersection of corruption, gender, and public policy, with a growing interest in how artificial intelligence, big data, and digital technologies influence anti-corruption outcomes. Widely published and a regular presenter at international conferences, Justa’s current GI ACE Fellowship explores the application and scalability of an anti-corruption scorecard to address embezzlement and bribery in Kenya’s subnational governments. Her work contributes to broader efforts toward gender justice and institutional accountability.

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.

To be updated.

Sherry Omulako is an experienced Policy Analyst and Researcher driving actionable solutions at the intersection of governance, peace and security, climate change, disability and youth inclusion. She collaborates with regional stakeholders and policy actors to translate complex data into strategic frameworks that address Africa’s most pressing security, geopolitical, and developmental challenges. As a consultant, Sherry successfully executed key policy analysis and research projects, including a strategic mapping of legislative frameworks, regional risks, and trafficking routes across eight African nations for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) Resilience Fund to strengthen policy responses to nature crimes. Her broader research, publications, and advocacy focus on driving sustainable reforms, building community resilience, and championing inclusive decision-making processes. Through evidence-based analysis, policy briefs, research papers, strategic commentaries, and panel discussions, Sherry is dedicated to influencing policy implementation and fostering inclusive, sustainable development across the continent. She holds a Bachelor of Education from Moi University.

Mongare is a research economist and PhD candidate in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics, jointly pursued at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. She holds an MA in Economics and a BSc in Economics and Statistics from the University of Nairobi.

Her work sits at the intersection of environmental economics and policy, applying rigorous quantitative methods, from bioeconomic modeling to impact evaluation, to questions of forest governance, fisheries, water security, and energy transitions across Africa. She has consulted for KIPPRA and Tearfund International.

Mongare has taught at Kabarak and Kisii Universities in Kenya, and is the co-founder of Niutele Africa, a mentorship initiative building the next generation of leaders in entrepreneurship and sustainability across the continent.

She works where evidence meets policy, translating research into tools for building a more resilient, sustainably governed Africa.

Keith Kathurima Mugambi is a finance and strategy professional with over a decade of experience in financial planning, operational analysis, and strategic decision-making across East Africa’s aquaculture sector. He holds a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from King’s College London, where his research focused on the intersection of finance, security, and emerging strategic threats. His research interests include national resilience, financial security, strategic risk, governance, crisis management, and the evolving nature of contemporary security challenges in Africa. Keith is particularly interested in how governments and institutions can strengthen resilience against complex and interconnected risks, with a growing focus on National Financial Resilience as an emerging field of policy and research. Keith combines practical experience in corporate finance with multidisciplinary research to develop policy-relevant insights that bridge the gap between economic systems and national security. His work seeks to contribute to evidence-based policymaking through research, commentary, and collaboration with academic and policy institutions across the region.