Machakos County, Kenya

The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), in partnership with the Peace and Development Researchers Association (PADRA), held the African University Seminar Series, Kenya (AUSS-K) at Machakos University Hotel and Conference Centre in Machakos County, Kenya. PADRA, which is the off-shoot of AUSS-K, is composed of current and former Kenyan SSRC’s APN and Next Gen scholars and supported by the APN and Next Gen Program and organized by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). The seminar was held, in partnership with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the Machakos University Hotel and Conference Center, Kenya. The seminar theme was “Decoloniality and People-Centered Approaches to Peace, Security, and Development in Africa.”

On Wednesday, the seminar commenced with welcome and opening remarks by the AUSS-K Co-Chairs, Dr. Jacinta Maweu and Dr. Rahma Hassan, supported by other members of the LOC and Ms. Kate Theriault, who represented the APN and Next Gen Program Director Cyril Obi.Prof. Joyce Agalo, Vice Chancellor of Machakos University, declared the event open and delivered a keynote lecture on “The Dialogue on Decolonization, Peace, and Development: Reclaiming African Narratives,” emphasizing the importance of decolonization by understanding and utilizing African scholars’ cultural roots, traditional knowledge, and values that will enable African scholars to solve African problems. She called on the audience of APN and Next Gen fellows to influence society beyond their scholarship by informing policy decisions and dialogues, thereby supporting African solutions and institutions. She concluded by saying that the “future of Africa is not predetermined” but is being presently shaped.

The first panel, Epistemologies of Decoloniality: Peace and Development in Africa, was moderated by Prof. Alex Kamwaria (APN 2022) and featured paper presentations by Flora Mutere, Abenea Ndago and Mahat Hassan, and Maryline Chepngetich.

The second panel, Innovative Approaches to Peacebuilding in Kenya, was moderated by Dr. Susan Kung’u (Next Gen 2020 and 2022) and featured paper presentations by Frederick Ogenga, Jacinta Matheka, Job Mwaura, and Job Wefwafwa.

The third panel, Media, Youth, and Social Change: Decolonial Perspectives and Emerging Trends, was moderated by Dr. John Mwangi Githigaro (Next Gen 2016, 2017, and 2018, and APN 2021) and featured paper presentations by Joyce Omwoha, Elizabeth Wanjala, and Susan Kung’u.

On Thursday, Dr. Richard Wafula, Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences at Kenyatta University, gave the keynote address, “Local and Trans-Local Ways of Ensuring Peace and Development: A Complement to Decoloniality.” Through a literary approach, Dr. Wafula addressed post-independence Kenya’s current location as a decolonizing state with progress that must still be made.

The fourth panel, Challenges and Lessons in Peacebuilding and Justice Systems in Kenya, was moderated by Dr. Graham Amakanji (Next Gen 2021 and 2022) and featured paper presentations by John Mwangi, Lilian Kong’ani, Joseph Karanji, and Marion Ouma.

The fifth panel, Indigenous Knowledge/Approaches to Security and Peacebuilding, was moderated by Dr. Jacinta Maweu and featured paper presentations by Kizito Shabala, Patrick Mutinda, and Kanyinga Benson.

The sixth panel, Decolonizing Women’s Leadership: Evolving Narratives and Representations in Kenyan Leadership, was moderated by Dr. Lillian Kong’ani and featured paper presentations by Grace Njoki, Norah Atambo, Athanas Mutsiya, and Muema Wambua.

The seventh and final panel, Digital Activism, Climate Change, and Community Engagement for Peace and Development, was moderated by Joyce Omwoha and featured presentations by Norah Mose, Alex Kamwaria, and Jacinta Maweu.

Throughout the seminar, the audience of APN and Next Gen fellows engaged deeply in the materials presented by their peers, posing questions, feedback, and interventions to the panel based on their disciplinary background, personal experiences of the ongoing issues in Kenya, and their research findings. The event also hosted the Annual General Meeting of PADRA, a registered non-profit in Kenya. The meeting brought together members to discuss and strategize on the next steps to sustain the organization and create impact.

To conclude the seminar, the LOC of the AUSS-K and the SSRC representative thanked all attendees for participating in the event, presenting their work, networking, and engaging their peers in meaningful discussions.