CHAIRS AND DISCUSSANTS

1. Prof. David Anderson

David M. Anderson is Professor of African History, in the Global History & Culture Center at the University of Warwick. He has published widely on the history and politics of eastern Africa, including Histories of the Hanged (2005), The Khat Controversy (2007), The Routledge Handbook of African Politics (2013, ed), and Politics and Violence in Eastern Africa: The Struggles of Emerging States (2015, ed). Three projects will come to publication in the coming year: Allies at the End of Empire (ed), From Resistance to Rebellion, and Africa’s New Authoritarians.

Prof. Anderson is now working on a volume of essays on the Mau Mau counter-insurgency in 1950s Kenya, drawing upon colonial documents released since 2012, and (with Michael Bollig) an edited volume of essays on Conservation in Africa. Anderson is editor of the African Studies Series at Cambridge University Press, would founding editor of the Journal of Eastern African Studies, and regularly contributes to the print and broadcast media on African politics.

2. Col (Rtd) Dr. Stephen Handa PhD
Email: stevehanda@yahoo.com & stephenhanda@gmail.com

Col (Rtd) Dr. Handa has over thirty years of experience and responsibilities in the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and Civilian Training Institutions. He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies; Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies; Diploma in Peace Studies; MSc; BEd.

Col (Rtd) Dr. Handa was a Senior Researcher, Director at Center for Security Studies, and Lecturer at the National Defense College (NDC) Karen; Dean Faculty of Academic Studies, Head of Research and Evaluation and Lecturer in Strategy at the Kenya at the Military Academy.

Dr. Handa undertook several Comparative Military Strategic Research Study in Belgium, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, France, Morocco, Oman, Poland, Russian Federation, Tanzania, Uganda, and United Arab Emirate.

Currently Col (Rtd) Dr. Handa is a lecturer and researcher at Kenyatta University. Currently, he is the Chairman Departmental Postgraduate Committee and Chair Departmental Strategic Planning Committee – Department of security & Diplomacy & Peace Studies. Additionally, Dr. Handa is an adjunct lecturer at the National Defense University- Kenya, and at Department of Diplomacy and International Studies - University of Nairobi.

Dr. Handa has among many publications published; Book Chapter ‘Assessing Critical Infrastructure Protection in the Era of Terrorism in Kenya’, in the Changing Dynamics of Terrorism & Violent Extremism Policy & Practice Vol 2., Journal Articles among them ‘Operationalizing National Security in Border Management: Perspectives on the Kenya Somalia Border’ In Contemporary Security in Africa. Vol 5 No1. April 2020.

Besides, Dr. Handa has attended many international and local conferences and seminars among them International Conference on ‘Africa–Middle East Relations Shared Peace; Shared Security; Shared Prosperity’ held on August 25–26, 2021 in Nairobi; Kenya Ministry of Defense Conference on Health and Security: 16 -17 May 2019 in Nairobi; International Conference on Terrorism and Violent Extremism by the Horn International Institute for Strategic Studies 24-26 April 2018 in Nairobi; Conference on Small Arms Conflict and Peace building: The Case of West Pokot County, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at USIU-Africa in Nairobi; and more recently August 22nd - 23rd 2023, GLOCEPS Conference on Climate Change ‘Shaping the Future of Climate Change Action Plans for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa’ in Nairobi.

Dr. Handa served as a Military Observer for The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

3. Dr. Moses Onyango
Dr. Moses Onyango earned his PhD in Political Studies from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, a Master of Science degree in Leadership, Security and Society from King’s College London, United Kingdom, a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from Rhodes University, South Africa, a Bachelor of Arts degree from United States International University, San Diego, USA, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice from York St. John University in York, United Kingdom. He is currently the Chair of the Department of International Relations at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in Nairobi, Kenya. He is also the Director of the Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Dr. Onyango is an Assistant Professor of Political Studies in the department of International Relations. He teaches Foundations of International Relations, Political philosophy and theory, introduction to political science, and comparative political systems. His research interests are: Theory of political and International Relations and their application to past, present, and emerging phenomena. He is fascinated about scientific predictions in political science.

He is also specifically interested in the following research areas: countering violent extremism, regional cooperation and integration, gender, and environmental studies. Additionally, he is interested in studies in Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the rest of the world. Issues of Diplomacy, negotiation and mediation are at the center of his current teaching interests. Dr. Onyango believes that interests and values can diplomatically and successfully negotiated and mediated at the table rather than in courts and by use of violence.

4. Hon. Mohammed Guleid

Hon. Guleid is an esteemed advocate for the marginalized communities arid and semi-arid areas (ASAL). He has displayed unwavering dedication to the resilience of ASAL communities through collaborative partner commitment to this cause is exemplary, as he takes the lead in forming t aimed at pioneering innovative solutions to address the multifaceted confronting the ASAL region. Notably, he has successfully convene organizations, fostering a spirit of cohesion and synergy in addressing ASAL.

Hon. Guleid’s resolute belief lies in transcending individual affiliations, breaking free from isolated efforts, and collectively striving to ensure that ASAL communities are equipped to respond effectively to shocks and adversities.

He is an accomplished policy advisor, executive director and operations manager with an excellent history of leading organizational development and strategic planning, optimizing financial performance, building and managing donor relationships, and driving sustainable growth and development.

Currently serving as the National Chairperson of the recently formed Northlink Foundation, as well as the National Coordinator of the 2-billion-dollar North and North East Development Initiative.

A member of the SDG3 (Sustainable Development Goals) platform to help Kenya achieve universal health coverage.

He served as the Deputy Governor of Isiolo County for five years (2013 to 1017) effectively overseeing the cabinet and county services delivery unit functions, among others.

He served as the CEO of the Frontier Counties Development Council from its formative years, guiding its growth and development into the transformative force it had become by the time he passed the torch in 2022.

Achievements

• Successfully led several resource mobilization efforts like the North and North East Development Initiative- a Ksh. 120 billion World Bank project for infrastructure development in Northern Frontier counties in Kenya.
• Liaised with Kenya School of Government (KSG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish learning centers in Northern Kenya counties.
• Led the Socio-Economic Atlas of Kenya project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF).
• Coordinated the Scaling-up of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices project in three countries, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Education Background

• 2003 - Catholic University Nijmegen, Netherlands - Post Graduate degree in Development Studies
• 2000 - Free University Amsterdam, Netherlands - Bachelor & Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology
• 1992 - Multi-Media University, Higher National Diploma in Telecommunications Technology

5. Gerald Wandera
Is a Senior Principal Lecturer (SPL) in Public Policy, and former Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Crime Research Center (NCRC) a State Corporation in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.

Gerard has directed national crime research and management studies at the Ministry of Interior for six (6) years from 2016-2022. He serves at the Board of Danish Refuge Council and is a Senior Conflict Sensitivity Advisor at North and North-eastern Development Initiative (NEDI). Gerard has also served as senior advisor of crime and violence to the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC); World Bank County-Based Crime and Violence Rapid Assessments. He was a Senior Research Fellow to Danish Deming Group research on Conflict Assessment of Northern Kenya and Somaliland 2014. He was lead researcher in Small Army Survey, in 2013 on Policing the Periphery: Opportunities and Challenges for Kenya Police Reserves, and Conflict, Security and the extractive Industries in Turkana, Kenya: Emerging Issues, in 2016.

Gerard is an MBA holder from Birmingham Business School of the University of Birmingham- UK, a Harvard Alumni in Driving Government Performance Program, a Witwatersrand Alumni in Crime and Violence Prevention Program, a KSG Alumni in Strategic Leadership Development program and Accounting Officers Course and has over 28 years’ experience in Public Sector.

Contact Gerald via email: Gerald.wandera@ksg.ac.ke

PARTICIPANT PROFILES

DAY ONE PRESENTATIONS:

SESSION 1 - HISTORY

1. Dr. Inaya Khan

Dr. Khan recently obtained her PhD in History from the École Doctorale de Sciences Po Paris. Her research focusses on settler colonialism in Kenya, in order to achieve a better understanding of postcolonial political and economic legacies of decolonization. She holds an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.

Dr. Khan was a Marie Sklodowska-Curie (Horizon 2020) PhD Fellow at Sciences Po Paris, a Migrations Initiative Mellon scholar at Cornell University, a POLIS-Erasmus Campo scholar at the University of Cambridge, an Alliance Scholar at Columbia University, and a grant awardee at the British Institute in Eastern Africa Nairobi and the Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique (Nairobi) respectively. She has delivered a series of public talks on decolonization at the London School of Economics, the University of Cambridge, Cornell University, the BIEA, Sciences Po Paris and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London. Her debut article on the Afrikaner exodus from Kenya was published in The Historical Journal. Her latest article is forthcoming in The English Historical Review. She has also disseminated her research via publications like Nation Africa.

2. Linet Mutegi

I am a currently writing my dissertation in line with the requirements for completion of my Master's degree in Development Finance. Further, I am currently working as a graduate assistant at KCA University where I undertake teaching and research roles. Gradually, I am working to not only improve my research skills but also undertake research that meaningfully contributes to development and growth; whether local, regional or international.

3. Dr. Mariusz Lukasiewicz

4. Mrs. Jacqueline Njambi Kibe Kamau

Jacqueline is a certified Public Policy analyst and Researcher based at University of Nairobi Department of Political Science and Public Administration. She has specialty in Labor, social Protection, Gender, Climate change and Governance. She has worked with ILO, KIPPRA, AWSC WEEHUB, PASGR among others. She is a Board Member of Public Policy Research Center

SESSION 2 – WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP

1. Mutathi Wachira

Mutathi Wachira is an African son developing in various fields. He is an amazing communicator, powerful orator, a public speaker and a leader. Wachira has been invited to speak at various events/conferences on different issues. He advocates for independent thinking, wholesome development, decolonization of the mind more so mindset shifting.

Among other things, he is also a Writer, African enthusiast, and Philosopher. He holds a bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Kenyatta University, and he is currently pursing a Master of Arts in Philosophy at Kenyatta University. As the founder of Wachira Speaks, Wachira has become one of the forthcoming sort-after corporate trainers and MC, facilitator and keynote speaker in various events.

2.Natasha Manda

Natasha Manda is the Marketing Manager at Wachira Speaks, a group of young, like-minded individuals set to empower the African child through mindset shifting. Her interest in empowering people is mostly focused on, although not limited to, the economic empowerment of African women. This is because she believes that financial dependence is the major constraint that women face when it comes to making decisions pertaining to the development of their lives.

Natasha graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor degree in Gender and Development Studies, with a minor in Psychology. She then begun her professional journey at the Women’s Economic Empowerment Hub in the same institution for close to a year. Her various duties included organizing disseminating for a like conferences and workshops, assisting in office administration and assisting in various research activities. In March 2023, while working at the HUB, she was selected by UN Women and Washington Group to undergo a training and conduct research on psycho-social functioning. She believes in making the world a better place through engaging in small acts of services towards humanity. For this reason, she joined Rotaract Club of Muthaiga in 2022 and was officially inducted in May 2023. She currently serves as the Membership Director.

3. Kimani Mwangi

Kimani Mwangi is a student at Kenyatta University pursuing Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is the current Operations Manager at Wachira Speaks. Kimani specializes in directing daily operations at Wachira Speaks and is responsible for quality and performance assessment and building an organizational structure.

Kimani is a reliable force in the workplace and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to motivate others to work hard and succeed.x

He is also the founder of Maing'eng'a Infrastructure Cadre, a start-up BIM and construction company.

4. Peter Dunga

Peter has professional experience in mentorship, training and facilitation, with his specialty being mentorship of Adolescents and Young People (AYPs). He has been able to work with various local institutions, including the Sub County Children's Department, and other NGOs, for the betterment of children's lives in Kajiado.

He also has an academic background in psychology, which he applies in the mentorship and training programs he is involved in, with an aim of improving the lives of AYPs and any other participants of the programs. He currently serves as Program Manager at Wachira Speaks, where he is in charge of overseeing the implementation of the organization's programs, ensuring their quality and integrity, and in consultation with the rest of the Wachira Speaks team, developing new programs in accordance with the mission of Wachira Speaks, which is to Empower people.

SESSION 3 – DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Tonny Raymond Kirabira

Dr. Tonny Raymond Kirabira is a legal practitioner and academic in the fields of public international law and international relations, based at University of Portsmouth (UK). He practices law in Uganda, and previously worked as a Visiting Professional in the Office of Public Counsel for Victims at the International Criminal Court.

Dr. Kirabira is the current Vice Chair of Uganda Law Society's Research and Publications Committee, and has published widely in the fields of International Law and Human Rights. He was a Visiting Fellow at University of Copenhagen, London School of Economics, and KU leuven. He has taught undergraduate law courses at the University of Greenwich, University of Portsmouth and Royal Holloway, University of London.

2. Prof. Martin C. Njoroge

He holds PhD in Linguistics (Kenyatta University), Master of Arts in Linguistics (Kenyatta University), Master of Arts in Leadership (Pan Africa Christian University) and Bachelors of Education degree (Hons) (Kenyatta University), and is Professor of Languages and Linguistics, and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences – United States International University – Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.

Prof. Njoroge is a former Postdoctoral fellow and visiting Professor, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, and a former International Institute of Education IIE-SRF fellow (USA). He is an accomplished scholar, educationist and researcher and has conducted extensive research and published on Multilingual Education, English language teaching, socio-linguistics and leadership. He is also a peer reviewer for the Commission for University Education.

Prof. Njoroge has lectured in several universities, both in Kenya and in the USA. Professor Njoroge sits on several educational and editorial boards, both nationally and internationally.

Contact: Email: mcnjoroge@usiu.ac.ke

3. Mr. Joseph Owino

Joseph Owino is a freshman Bachelor of Arts in International Relations student at the United States International University- Africa (USIU-Africa). He's a passionate disability inclusion champion mainly concerned with disability affairs inclined with education, talent and skills development and economic empowerment and leadership and governance avenues.

Joseph serves as the Chairperson of the University and College Students with Special Needs Association of Kenya (UCSSNAK) a pioneer national student union targeting campus students with disabilities in an effort to support their welfare and long-term development. He's also part of the International Olympic Committee Young Leaders Program 2023-2026 Cohort working on a project aimed at building Para-sports within the higher education arena. He is a member of the Kenya National Para-Taekwondo team and a bronze medalist from the 5th Africa Para-Taekwondo Championships 2022 held in Niamey, Niger.

4. Mr. Nelson Mosiborwa Omwoyo

Nelson is a dedicated graduate student at USIU-Africa, pursuing an Master of Arts in International Relations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Moi University, reflecting a solid academic foundation in the field of politics and government. With a profound passion for foreign relations, diplomacy, and international law, he is committed to understanding and contributing to the complex dynamics of global politics. Nelson aspires to make a meaningful impact in the realm of international affairs and diplomacy, utilizing his academic background and fervor for these subjects to foster a more peaceful and interconnected world.

5. Mr. Frederic Krampitz

Currently pursuing a master in Geography, specializing on development and globalization, at the University of Bonn, Frederic has finalized his bachelors in 2022 with a thesis on narratives around migration and relations between the African and European Union, embedded in a broader context of neo-colonialism and the realm of global inequalities. He is currently employed at Deutsche Welle Akademie in Bonn, Germany. Previously, Frederic has worked for the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO) and the German-Yemeni Association.

6. Beverlyne Ondieki

Beverlyne is an accomplished graduate of Political Science and Gender and Development Studies from Kenyatta University, brings a rich academic background to her professional journey. Her experience includes a significant role as an Attaché in the BIEA Graduate Attachment Scheme. Notably, Beverlyne has showcased her expertise in the field of political analysis through her co-authorship of an article featured in "The Elephant in the Room," focusing on the influential Saba Saba movement in Kenya. Her diverse interests span the realms of political communication, women's political empowerment, and international relations.

Beverlyne Ondieki is a dedicated professional with a passion for promoting insightful discourse and action in these vital areas of study.

7. Mr. Samuel Mungai

Samuel Mungai is a recent graduate of the Graduate attaché Scheme at the British Institute in Eastern Africa. He graduated from the United States International University-Africa with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations. His research has focused on identity politics, democracy, conflict, women and religion, popular culture, and urban studies. His works have seen him present papers on the Kenyan judiciary focusing on election petitions and the concerted efforts at interrogating the interactions between the British Training Unit in Kenya and the local economy of Nanyuki.

8. Mr. Daniel Siegburg

Daniel graduated with a Bachelors in Geography from the University of Cologne in March of 2022, assessing the role of the insurance industry concerning extreme weather events and livelihood security in the global south. Since October 2023 he pursues the Master of Science in Geography of Environmental Risk and Human Security with the United Nations University and the University of Bonn, investigating issues of sustainable development, international relations and risk governance. Next to his studies he is employed at Digital Renewables, a startup company which runs an online marketplace for renewable energy.

9. Dr. Francis Khyaundi

Dr. Khayundi is an Assistant Professor of International Law in the Department of International Relations at USIU-Africa. His research interests include International Law, Business and Human Rights, Electoral Management and Climate Change Law. Outside of USIU-Africa, he practices as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

10. Mr. Philip K. Chemelil

Philip K. Chemelil is an academician and historian, currently serving as a Lecturer in History at Maasai Mara University, located in Narok, Kenya. With a profound dedication to the field, Chemelil's expertise lies in the intricate realms of international relations and African environmental history.

He commenced his career as an Assistant Lecturer at Mwenge University College of Education in Tanzania. He was appointment as the Head of the Department of History at Mwenge University College in 2014. Chemelil's scholarly pursuits further extended to The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, GABA Campus in Eldoret, where he contributed as a Part-Time Lecturer.

In his tenure at Maasai Mara University, Chemelil has served in various capacities, including Examination Coordinator within the Department of Social Studies. He has participated in significant training workshops.

Mr. Chemelil has played a pivotal role as a Subject Expert in the Curriculum Review and Development Process for the Bachelor of Arts in History program at Maasai Mara University.

In the year 2023, Chemelil attended the "African Ecologies" Workshop hosted at the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) in collaboration with Leeds University Center for Research papers presented include "The Role of Indigenous Religion in Mau Forest Land Use Dynamics in the Pre-Colonial Period from Circa 1600-1895" at the 9th African Association for the Study of Religions Conference in Africa.

DAY TWO PRESENTATIONS:

SESSION 1 - SECURITY AND PEACE

1. Prof. Kennedy Mkutu Agade

Kennedy Mkutu Agade is a Professor of International Relations, Security Studies, and Peace Studies who has taught at United States International University-Africa, in Kenya, for 10 years. He has carried out extensive research in Kenya and the Greater Horn of Africa with particular focus on: pastoralist conflict, small arms, new resource conflicts, impacts of mega-development projects in pastoralist areas, terrorism, urban crime, private security companies and crime and violence prevention.

Prof. Mkutu also has a strong record of publications in the areas of security, peace-building, conflict and pastoralism. His recent research interests include the rapidly changing future of rural Africa and resource conflicts. He is a team member in the Collaborative Research Centres Future Rural Africa Project, a team member in the Shared Lands participatory action research programme, Co-PI for the VR-Swedish Research Links initiatives on Shifting sands contestations around sand extraction and trade in East and West Africa, Co-PI for the British Academy funded project Understanding the dynamics of water scarcity and conflict in Kenya and is a Senior Consultant in Conflict Sensitivity for the World Bank.

Mkutu holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and Security Studies as well as a Diploma in Research Methods from the University of Bradford.

2. Dr. Sela Muyoka Musundi

Dr. Sela Muyoka Musundi holds a PhD in Cultural Studies in Education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Womens, Gender & Sexuality Studies from the same institution.

Dr. Musundi is an independent gender consultant and researcher based in Nairobi, Kenya, and has 8 years of experience providing technical support to NGOs in both Kenya and Rwanda whose work is geared towards empowering women and girls through initiatives that support their wellbeing and advancement in society. Sela also researches womens exposure to violent conflict and its intergenerational impact, particularly the legacy of children born of genocidal rape. In addition, Sela studies the trafficking of Kenyan women domestic workers to the Middle East and their experiences of sexual and labor exploitation in that region. Her current research project explores victim-survivor narratives of abuse and servitude in the Gulf states and local feminist efforts to counter trafficking in persons.

SESSION 2 - YOUTH

1. Dr. Peter Inganga Buluma

Dr. Peter Inganga Buluma is a lecturer of Political Science and Public Administration at the Department of History, Political Science and Public Administration, School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University since February 2023.

He is a member of BIEA-Kenya and the Internet Society of Kenya. His areas of specialization are in Political Communication, Political Behavior, and International Relations.

Dr. Buluma holds a PhD. in Political Science and Public Administration from Moi University, and has worked as a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Raira University, KCA University, Gretsa University and Mount Kenya University. He is a certified STEP trainer, with research interests in Political Communication, Political Behavior, and International Relations.

2. John Mwangi

John Mwangi is a PhD student and an Assistant Lecturer at Department of Public Affairs and Environmental Studied of Laikipia University, Nyahururu Kenya. He is a seasoned scholar and researcher of African Ecologies, Environmental and Climate Change, he is a member of Professional bodies which include, Association of African Study of Religion (AASR), Christian and Scientific Association of Kenya (CSAK) amongst others. He has published widely on peer reviewed journals, travelled to present his research in many international conferences and self-published his book captioned The Idea of the Next Level forwarded by Redeemers University founding Vice Chancellor Prof. Timori Oyewale (Nigeria).

3. Miriam Wambui

Miriam Wambui is a teacher, trainer, scholar, researcher, and consultant. She is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Religious studies at University of Nairobi, Kenya. Her PhD Research Thesis is on Agikuyu Culture with a bias on Agikuyu Religion. Her areas of specialization and research interests are - Religion and culture specifically African Religion and Cultures, Agikuyu Culture, African Cultural Feminism, African Christianity, Church History, Comparative Religion, Anthropology, Sociology of Religion, Religion and Health, Religion and Digital Media and Interfaith Relations.

Miriam has professional training is in project management and strategic leadership. She has worked in local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), as well as Consulates in Nairobi and globally. She is currently a cultural associate for a global organization domiciled in the US as well as the Director of Gikuyu and Mumbi Women a Cultural Organization that conducts research among the Agikuyu community in Kenya and in the Diaspora. She has presented papers in local and international conferences, and has authored several articles and two books.

Contact Miriam on: njoroge.miriam@hotmail.com

4. Shaquilla Harrigan

Shaquilla Harrigan is Ph.D. Candidate in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Harrigan is part of the inaugural cohort of Penn Presidential Fellowship in recognition for her academic achievements and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the classroom and in her research. Her research interests include transnational NGO governance, youth development, organizational behavior, education opportunities beyond formal schooling.

Harrigan is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya to conduct her dissertation fieldwork on how organizations recruit, select, and prepare Kenyan youth for success. Previously, Harrigan was a Princeton in Africa Fellow with African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (Nairobi, Kenya) and the Service to Society Fellow at Harvard College. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Harvard University.

SESSION 3 - RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY

1. Dr. Naoki Naito

Dr. Naoki Naito is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Technology, Industrial and Social Sciences, Tokushima University since 2011. His areas of specialization are anthropology and area studies. His research interests include environment, landscape, energy, technology, food, pastoralism, and refugee studies.

Dr. Naito holds a Ph.D. in Area Studies from Kyoto University. He has worked as a research fellow at the National Museum of Ethnology, Osaka. He has supervised the designation and conservation process of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) site in Tokushima, Japan.

Contact Dr. Nairo on: naito.naoki@gmail.com

2. Elizabeth Oyange-Ngando

Elizabeth specializes in intellectual property law and has a passion for intellectual property and its intersections with traditional knowledge and culture and technology. Elizabeth an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and is a certified Patent Agent (Kenya). Elizabeth manages the Aga Khan University Copyright Office and oversees the training, compliance, permissions, and clearances across AKUs five global locations.

In her free time, she often ponders on the meaning of life and is entangled by thoughts on how best to serve her purpose in collaboration with those she meets.

3. Esther Muthoni Wanyingi

Esther Muthoni Wanyingi is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Certified Professional Mediator. She specializes in the intricate field of intellectual property. Esther holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She currently serves as a Copyright Associate at the Aga Khan University, where her work plays a vital role in safeguarding intellectual property.

Esther's expertise extends beyond intellectual property law, as her fervent interests encompass the realms of environmental law and human rights law. Her presentation promises to offer a unique and thought-provoking perspective on this critical topic.

4. Professor Walter O. Oyawa

Prof. Oyawa, is currently the Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI). He is a Professor of Civil Engineering, a holder of a PhD in Civil Engineering, and a holder of Executive MBA. He is a Registered Professional Engineer, a Lead Expert-NEMA and a reviewer of several international journals. In addition to his current position as Director General of NACOSTI, Prof. Oyawa has served in various senior leadership/management positions including having been the Principal/CEO of Multimedia University College, Deputy Commission Secretary at the Commission for University Education (CUE), pioneering Ag. Principal of the College of Engineering & Technology at JKUAT, Director of a Research Centre-SMARTEC at JKUAT, Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering at JKUAT, Board member of several boards, among others. He is endowed with vast experience in research/scholarly work, as evidenced by, extensive publications in peer reviewed journals, several awards and research grants, keynote lectures and conference papers, and supervision of numerous postgraduate students. His research interest is in the area of sustainable construction materials and technologies.

5. Dr. Yumi Yamane

Dr. Yamane earned her Master and PhD in African Area Studies, from Kyoto University, Japan, and has been studying wildlife conservation in Tanzania and Kenya. She moved to Kenya in 2006 to study about relationship between people and leopards, with a keen interest in pastoralists, focusing her studies around Nairobi, and later expanded to include Kajiado, Narok and Baringo counties.

Currently she is director to Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Nairobi Research Station, whose role is to promote joint research between African Researchers and Japanese Researches and also provide research grant programs.

PROFILES OF INSTITUTIONS

1. United States International University - Africa (USIU-Africa)

USIU–Africa is one of Kenya's leading private universities, representing over 70 nationalities pursing 38 Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral programs. It is the only University in the region with dual accreditation in Kenya by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the United States of America (USA) by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

2. The Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IPPIA)

The Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IPPIA) of the United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa) provides technical assistance and capacity building support for regional, national, and local governments. The Institutes core mission is to improve and transform governancethrough innovation, research, technical assistance, training, and dissemination.

To achieve these, the Institute adopts a multi-disciplinary approach aimed at training high calibre personnel for quality service delivery at local, national and regional levels, with particular reference to the expanded East Africa Region and the Horn of Africa. In this regard, the Institute adopts an integrative approach that draws on the synergies and wealth of intellect and experience in other schools at USIU-Africa and beyond.

USIU-Africa on the other hand combines the best in Business Management, Information Technology and Social Sciences. It is from these high calibre professionals, who combine both academia and field experience that provides the desired teaching and research capacity. The vibrant multiracial and multicultural student community provides a market ready pool of research assistants to undertake given assignments.

3. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Nairobi Research Station

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), or Gakushin for short, is an independent administrative institution, established by way of a national law for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities. JSPS plays a pivotal role in the administration of a wide spectrum of Japans scientific and academic programs. While working within the broad framework of government policies established to promote scientific advancement, JSPS carries out its programs in a manner flexible to the needs of the participating scientists.

JSPS was founded in 1932 as a non-profit foundation through an endowment granted by Emperor Showa, and became a quasi-governmental organization in 1967 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho), and since 2001 under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho). Over this 70-year period, JSPS has worked continuously to develop and implement a far-reaching array of domestic and international scientific programs. On October 1, 2003, JSPS entered a new phase with its conversion to an independent administrative institution, as which it will strive to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of its management so as to improve the quality of the services it offers to individual researchers, universities, and research institutes.

JSPSs operation is supported in large part by annual subsidies from the Japanese Government. Its main functions are:

• To foster young researchers,
• To promote international scientific cooperation,
• To award Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research,
• To support scientific cooperation between the academic community and industry, and
• To collect and distribute information on scientific research activities.

JSPS has 11 liaison offices in 10 countries and Nairobi Research Station is one of the overseas offices We have had our office here in Nairobi since 1965. Our mission is to liaise with overseas counterpart research-promotion organizations, hold symposiums, support alumni networks formed among former participants in JSPS programs, and to disseminate information on scientific trends in Japan and gather similar information from the host countries.

4. British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA)

The British Institute in Eastern Africa has been active since 1960 and has its research centre, including lecture facilities, events garden, work spaces and reference library in the offices at Laikipia Road, Kileleshwa Nairobi. The BIEA is a registered charity in the UK, and a registered NGO in Kenya, which exists to promote innovative research in all the disciplines in the humanities and social sciences within the wider region of eastern Africa and beyond.

As well as conducting research, the BIEA offers financial support, affiliation services and logistical assistance to research projects, and runs several graduate and postgraduate educational opportunities including our renowned Graduate Attachment Scheme (GAS). On research funding, we provide Writing, Thematic, Dissemination and Workshop grant. The Institute publishes a regular news bulletin as well as two high-impact peer-reviewed journals, Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, and the Journal of Eastern African Studies. The BIEA is one of the British International Research Institutes (BIRI).