On 16 September 2026, the Mashariki Research and Policy Centre (MRPC) team was hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Nairobi Regional Delegation at its premises for a consultative engagement. The ICRC is a leading humanitarian organization that protects and assists people affected by armed conflict and emerging situations of violence, guided by the principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Michael Gichumbi, ICRC Political Adviser, and co-led by Dr. Solomon Njenga, PhD, MRPC Director of Research and Programmes and Deputy CEO. The ICRC team included Mr. Paul Kariuki, Armed Forces Advisor, Mr. Nelson Munene, Communications Manager and Ms. Umazi Malingi, Police and Security Adviser. The MRPC delegation included Ms. Agnes Maina, Research Fellow, and Ms. Grace Musolo, Executive assistant to the CEO.

During the consultative meeting, MRPC presented its strategic priorities, anchored on conflict trends, geopolitics, and environmental security. The discussions highlighted areas of alignment between MRPC’s research and policy agenda and the ICRC’s humanitarian mandate, particularly in protecting human life and addressing the evolving impacts of armed conflict and other emerging challenges, including food insecurity and climate-related risks.

The discussions further explored potential areas of collaboration, including policy engagement, capacity building, and training on conflict prevention, International Humanitarian Law, and humanitarian policy. The engagement also considered opportunities to strengthen evidence-based approaches that amplify the needs and perspectives of vulnerable and conflict-affected communities.

MRPC and ICRC seek to advance collaborative efforts towards strengthening humanitarian-informed, resilient and sustainable communities across Greater Eastern Africa.