Meet our dedicated team who work together to advance the Institute’s objectives.
Hassan Khannenje, Ph.D.
Director
Daniel Iberi
Associate Director, Communications and Outreach
Halkano Abdi Wario, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Center for the Study of Terrorism, Violent Extremism and Radicalization
Roselyne Omondi
Associate Director, Center for Climate Change, Migration, and Development
Brig Gen (Rtd) Ahamed Mohammed, E.B.S.
Associate Director, Center for Defence and Security
Asia M. Yusuf
Strategic Communications Officer
Elizabeth Radina
Strategic Communications Officer
Evans Ombisa
Graphic Designer
Shariff Nasir
Accountant
Ismail O. Owino
Accountant
Janice Sanya
Projects Officer
Edmond J. Pamba
Researcher
Raudhat Sayeeda Saddam
Researcher
Veronika Čáslavová
Visiting Resident Fellow, Ph.D. Candidate
Ruwaida Bana
Programs Officer
Christine Kendi
IGAD Liaison Officer
Stacy Martin
Research Intern
Kalla Abudo
Administrative and Programs Assistant
Bravin Onditi
Research Intern
Husna Maalim
Communications Intern
Adano Isacko
Research Assistant
Kennedy Gapchojiga
Defence, Security and Foreign Relations Intern
Jeremy Oronje
Research Intern
Laurence N. Jost
Research Intern
Hassan Khannenje, Ph.D.
Academic Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University, United States
- Master of Arts in Social and Public Policy with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies from Duquesne University, United States
- Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of Nairobi, Kenya
Areas of Specialization
- Conflict Analysis, Resolution, and Management
- Policy Analysis
- Qualitative and Quantitative Research
- Foreign Policy and International Relations
Professional Membership
- The Academy of Political Science (USA)
- National Scholars Honor Society (USA)
Daniel Iberi
Academic Qualifications
- Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Kenyatta University, Kenya.
- Trainer in Communication for Development
Areas of Specialization
- Information Gathering, Analysis and Report Writing
- Advanced Editing and Writing
- Online Journalism and Social Media Communication
- Development Communication
- Facilitation and Training
Professional Membership
- Public Relations Society of Kenya
- Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ)
Halkano Abdi Wario, Ph.D.
Academic Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy in Religion (Islamic Studies) from University of Bayreuth, Germany
- Master of Philosophy in Religion from Moi University, Kenya
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) from Moi University, Kenya
- Senior Humanities Research Fellow of Volkswagen Foundation of Germany with ongoing research project on nexus of film and counter-narrative production
Areas of Specialization
- Trends and Discourses on Countering Violent Extremism in the Horn of Africa
- Transnational Religious/Islamic Movements in Africa
- Muslim Personal Law in Africa
- Religion and Media
- Identity Politics and Social Change among Communities and Nations in the Horn Africa
Professional Membership
- International Association for History of Religions
- African Studies Association (USA)
- African Association for the Study of Religion
- African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE)
Roselyne Omondi
Academic Qualifications
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts in Journalism, Media and Globalisation from Aarhus University, Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX), (Denmark) and Swansea University (United Kingdom)
- Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts in International Humanitarian Action from Rijksuniveriteit, Netherlands.
- Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Sociology from Kenyatta University, Kenya.
- Postgraduate Education in: Peace Research from University of Oslo and Peace Research Institute Oslo (Norway), Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: Theory and Practice from Leiden University (The Netherlands), Advanced Grammar, Advanced Academic Writing, Research Writing, Critical Thinking, and Comprehensive Writing from Swansea University (United Kingdom); Development Policies and Children’s Rights (Finland); First Aid, Security, Safety and Survival in the Field (Germany); Basic and Advanced Security in the Field (Kenya).
Areas of Specialization
- War, Armed Conflict, and Terrorism
- Peace Research
- Migration Research
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies
- Research Visualization (including Conflict Mapping)
- Project Management (including Proposal Writing, and M&E)
- Journalism, Media, and Communication
- Writing (Research or Academic, Journalistic, and Creative – Generalist, Specialist)
- Editing and Proofreading
- Publishing
- International Development
- Humanitarian Action
- Training (Peace and conflict, crisis communication)
Professional Membership
- Devex International Development (Devex)
- NOHA Network on Humanitarian Action
- Media Council of Kenya
Brig Gen (Rtd) Ahamed Mohammed, E.B.S.
Academic Qualifications
- Master of Arts in Defence Studies from Kings College, University of London
- Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi
Areas of Specialization
- Defence and Security
Asia M. Yusuf
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies from University of Nairobi, Kenya
Areas of Specialization
- International Relations
- Terrorism
- Social Media Communication
- Public Relations
- Media
Elizabeth Radina
Academic Qualification:
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Strathmore University
Areas of Specialization:
International Relations
Partnerships
Peace and Security
Public Relations
Evans Ombisa
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts in Technology (Design) from Technical University of Kenya, Kenya
- Professional Counselling
Areas of Specialization
- Publishing
- Graphic Design
- Advertising and Publishing
- Branding
Shariff Nasir
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business Management(Islamic Banking and Finance Option) from UMMA University, Kenya (Ongoing)
Areas of Specialization
- Islamic Banking and Finance
- Islamic economic Thoughts
- Financial Accounting
- Business Management(Administration)
- Tax Accounting
- Cost Accounting
Ismail O. Owino
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting),KCA University (Kenya)
- Certified Public Accountant of Kenya(CPA,K)
Areas of Expertise
- Financial Accounting
- Auditing & Investigations
- Taxation
- IFRS
Janice Sanya
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi
Areas of Interests
- Diplomacy and Foreign Relations
- Policy Analysis and Strategic Thinking
- Food Security
- Regionalism and World Politics
- Politics of Aid and Development
Current Projects
- Day of Prayer and Action for Children (DPAC)
- Lenga Ugaidi na Talanta
- Diminishing the Prevalence of Radicalization into Violent Extremism (D-PRIVE)
Edmond J. Pamba
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies, Maseno University (Kenya)
- Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, Mount Kenya University (Kenya) (Ongoing)
Areas of Interests
- International Security
- Terrorism
- Foreign Policy
- Geopolitics
Raudhat Sayeeda Saddam
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Strathmore University
Areas of Interests
- International Development and Policy
- Community Development
- Conflict Resolution
Veronika Čáslavová
Academic Qualification
- Master of Arts in International Relations from Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
- Master of Arts in Security and Strategic Studies from Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
- Bachelor of Arts in joint program International Relations – Security and Strategic Studies from Masaryk University (Czech Republic)
- Global Campus of Human Rights Certification on Gender-based Violence in the Context of Migration
Areas of Specialization
- International Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Democratization processes
- International Criminal Justice
- Human Trafficking
- Migration Research
- Geopolitics
Professional Membership
- CEO Security Outlines
- Czech Centre for Human Rights and Democracy
Ruwaida Bana
Academic Qualification
• Master of Science (Africa and International Development)
• Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations
Areas of Specialization
• Gender and Sexuality in Africa
• Conflict and Peace in Africa
• Climate Change in the Horn of Africa
• Gender and Media
• Africa Development and Policy
• International Relations in Africa (East and West Africa)
Professional Membership
• Clinton Foundation
• Red Cross Kenya
Christine Kendi
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Languages and communications and Sociology from University of Nairobi, Kenya
- Bachelor of Electronic Media from Daystar University (Ongoing)
- Countering Violent Extremism – ICEPVE
- Enhancing the capacity of women in Strategic communications
- How to prevent violent extremism and radicalization among the youth
Areas of Specialization
- Formulation and implementation of media and communication strategies
- Preparing content for electronic, digital and print media
- Creating media campaigns and generation of innovative techniques
- Development and management of communications plan
Stacy Martin
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor in International Relations and Security Studies from Daystar University, Kenya (ongoing)
Kalla Abudo
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor in Business Management (human resource option)
Areas of Specialization
- Human Resource Management
Bravin Onditi
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy from Zetech University, Kenya
- Certificate on Gender Inclusivity in Peacebuilding from the United States Institute of Peace
- Certificate on Protection and Assistance for Migrants Vulnerable to Violence Exploitation and Abuse from IOM – UN Migration
Areas of Interest
- Research
- Conflict Resolution
- Foreign Policy
- Peacekeeping Operations
Husna Maalim
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Sociology, and a minor in Arabic (Ongoing) – University of Nairobi
Areas of Interests
- Political Development
- Political Systems and Regimes
- Design
- Photography
Adano Isacko
Academic Qualification
- Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, University of Nairobi, Kenya (Ongoing)
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from United States International University- Africa
Areas of Specialization
- Diplomacy
- Conflict and Peace-making
- Banking
- Criminal Justice
Kennedy Gapchojiga
Academic Qualification
- Bachelor of Science: BSc (Hons) Politics With International Relations & Economics, Aston University – Birmingham(Ongoing)
- International Exchange Program: Political Science & International Affairs, Sciences Po Lille – Lille
- Undergraduate Foundation Programme (UFP): Humanities And Social Sciences, ONCAMPUS London(University of London) – London
Areas of Interest
- International Security
- Policy and Defense Issues
- Political Communications
- International Relations
- National Security
- Diplomacy
Societies
- Aston University Commercial Awareness Society (AUCAS)
Jeremy Oronje
Academic Qualifications
- B.A in International Relations from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa
Area of interest
- Conflict Analysis
- Conflict Resolution
- Governance and Statecraft
Laurence N. Jost
Academic Qualifications
- B.A. Sociology & Political Science / Reserve NCO
Areas of Interest
- Defence and Security
Professional membership
- Member of the German academic association for security studies (BSH)