Dr. Mohamed Salimu Seif is a distinguished security and diplomacy professional with over two decades of service in Kenya’s intelligence sector. He rose from Senior Intelligence Analyst in 1999 to serve as Director of the External Division of NIS until his retirement in May 2023. He holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi, with research on post-conflict reconstruction, and brings extensive expertise in governance, risk management, and international relations to board leadership.

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).

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.

Sammy Kwinga is the Centre’s Head of Human Resource and Administration. His career spans over eight years in various fields, where he has acquired experience in media; both print and digital, as well as human resource management, including working with corporations as their remote human resource manager and accountant. He has a background in legal and finance and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Nairobi.

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.

Joe Kiarie is the Communications and Partnerships Lead at Mashariki Research and Policy Centre. The role primarily involves developing and executing communication strategies to advance organizational goals, create a positive public image, and foster growth.
Kiarie, a University of Nairobi graduate, is an award-winning journalism and communications professional with over 20 years of experience in writing, editing, public relations and marketing. He has previously served as a senior in-house writer in the print media divisions of Nation Media Group, The Standard Group PLC and Mediamax Network Ltd.
He has also served as a Communications Consultant for different organizations, offering specialized communications services such as media relations, marketing, content creation, media monitoring and crisis management.

Grace Musolo is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer at Mashariki Research and Research Centre. Her key responsibilities include managing communications and partnerships at the Centre. She has previously worked with think tanks and intergovernmental organizations, and contributed to a wide range of projects related to integrated research and humanitarian engagements. She recently participated in the Emerging Leaders in Australia-Africa Diplomacy (ELAAD) Research Fellowship (2022-2023), an Australian program of the Curtin University for the Australia Africa Universities Network (AAUN). She holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations (majoring in Peace and Conflict) and Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (majoring in Development & Diplomacy and Minor in Management) from the United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa). Her research interests include diplomacy, gender, democracy & governance, peace, security, and international development with a special focus on Eastern Africa.

With a decade plus of dedicated experience, Michael is a seasoned professional in website development and ICT consultancy, adept at transforming complex digital challenges into streamlined, effective solutions. His expertise spans the full lifecycle of web projects, from conceptual design and robust backend development to deployment and ongoing maintenance, consistently delivering high-performance and user-centric online platforms. Complementing this, is his role as an ICT consultant where he advises businesses on optimizing their technology infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and implementing innovative IT strategies to drive efficiency and sustainable growth.

Nancy Adhiambo Okoth is the Centre’s Office Assistant. She is a skilled chef with excellent organizational skills and ensures overall upkeep of the office. Nancy holds a higher diploma in International Culinary Arts Management.

James Maranga is the Caretaker at Mashariki Research and Policy Centre. He is dedicated to preserving the Centre’s environment. He has over 10 years of experience in this role. He is known for supporting sustainable green practices and is a dedicated team player. James holds a certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanic Grade III.

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.

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.

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.

Professor Tim Murithi is Head of the Peacebuilding Interventions Programme at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town, and Extraordinary Professor of African Studies, at the Centre for African and Gender Studies, University of the Free State, in South Africa, as well as an Honorary Research Associate, Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa, University of Cape Town. He has over 25 years of experience in the fields of peace, security, international justice, governance and development.

He is a Member of the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa Technical Committee. He is an Advisory Board Member of: African Union Leadership Academy (AULA); Centre for Mediation, University of Pretoria; and Cape Town Holocaust and Genocide Centre. He was formerly a Research Fellow with the African Gender Institute, University of Cape Town. From 1995 to 1998, he taught at the Department for International Relations, Keele University, UK, where he also obtained his PhD in International Relations, in 1999.

He is on the international advisory boards of: Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, African Journal of Conflict Resolution (ACCORD), African Peace and Conflict Journal (UPEACE), Journal of African Union Studies, and Peacebuilding. He has written over 100 journal articles, book chapters and policy papers. He is author and editor of 11 books including: as author, The Ethics of Peacebuilding (Edinburgh University Press, 2009) and The African Union: Pan-Africanism, Peacebuilding and Development (Ashgate, 2005); Judicial Imperialism: The Politicization of International Criminal Tribunals in Africa (Jacana, 2019); as co-author, The African Peace and Security Architecture: A Handbook (FES, 2014); as editor, The African Union: Autocracy, Diplomacy and Peacebuilding (I.B. Tauris, 2018); Routledge Handbook of Africa’s International Relations (2014); The Politics of Transitional Justice in the Great Lakes Region of Africa (Jacana, 2016); Towards a Union Government of Africa: Challenges and Opportunities (ISS, 2008); and as co-editor, The African Union Peace and Security Council: An Appraisal (ISS, 2011), Zimbabwe in Transition: A View from Within (Jacana, 2011), and The African Union and its Institutions (Jacana, 2008). He is general editor of the Routledge/Europa Series on Perspectives in Transitional Justice. He is also an Honorary Research Associate of the Institute for Democracy, Citizenship and Public Policy in Africa (IDCPPA).

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 67^th 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 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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Sizo Nkala is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg Centre for Africa-China Studies where his role includes academic publication, managing commissioned research projects, organizing seminars, and interacting with the media. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he also served as a lecturer for three years teaching undergraduate and postgraduate classes across different disciplines including international relations, public policy, and contemporary African politics. He has also worked as an external consultant for In On Africa (formerly Consultancy Africa Intelligence and is also a Laureate of the Council for Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) and the Center for African Studies Basel (CASB) Summer School. Sizo frequently makes contributions to local and international media including radio, television, and newspapers on topical issues through interviews and written columns. His research interests include China-Africa relations in the technology, media and economic spheres, African political-economy, immigration, East African politics, and global politics. He has published several articles in international peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.

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.

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.