Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Lecturer, Dr. Graham Amakanji Oluteyo, recently completed a peace fellowship from the Rotary’s only Peace Center in Africa, located at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Dr. Amakanji was among 20 fellows in the sixth cohort, representing 12 African countries, who successfully completed the program that culminated in a Capstone Conference held on Friday, 18th October 2024.
During the conference, Dr. Amakanji presented his Social Change Initiative (SCI) titled, ‘Strengthening Capacity of National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) for a Dual Approach to Calibrating and Preventing Violent Extremism in Kenya.’ Between January and October 2024, he worked on building the capacity of NGAOs and community gate-keepers to measure violent extremism and prevent recidivism among former extremists. This Social Change Initiative is one of the projects under the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) and was endorsed by MMUST’s Directorate of Research and Postgraduate Support. It was first presented during the first cycle of research writing workshops on 8th February, 2024, alongside the Dean SDMHA, Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa, Associate Dean- Prof. Stanley Omuterema, and Dr. James Omondi Juma.
Dr. Graham Amakanji receiving his certificate of completion from Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Academic Registrar at Makerere University during the closing ceremony
The Social Change Initiative aims to Strengthen the capacity of Kenya’s National Government Administrative Officers to assess and prevent violent extremism. Through this dual approach, the initiative focuses on enhancing NGAO’s ability to measure violent extremism accurately, developing a participatory tool tailored to assess extremism risk, creating a customized tool for recidivism prevention, and applying these tools to ensure precise risk assessments.
In its first cycle, SCI provided capacity building for six (6) NGAOs and nineteen (19) community gatekeepers, preparing them for the full roll-out of the program. In addition, six (6) NGAOs have been trained as Trainers of Trainees (ToTs). The combined effort is expected to lead to more accurate extremism risk assessments, targeted interventions, reduced recidivism, successful reintegration, and the establishment of a collaborative knowledge-sharing community, which will strengthen efforts to counter violent extremism in Kenya.
Anchored in prominent national, regional, and global legal and policy frameworks, including Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, Positive Peace Framework, African Union Agenda 2063, Kenya’s Vision 2030, the project also advances Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda. To ensure long-term sustainability, the SCI has outlined plans for a professional certification course on violent extremism risk assessment for NGAOs and rehabilitation centers staff. This program will be offered collaboratively by MMUST’s School of Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance, Makerere University- Rotary Peace Center, and the Kenya School of Government, in order to strengthen its impact on Kenya’s security landscape. Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Administration of National Government and other stakeholders, SCI is working to integrate this training into the NGAO curriculum and train key National Security Stakeholders including, the National Security architecture- National Police College, Kenya School of Government (KSG), International Peace Support Training College and the National Defense University of Kenya (NDU-K).
Dr. Graham Amakanji receiving his Rotary Alumni Medal from the Ag. Commandant – Uganda Police Senior Command and staff College, ACP Dr. Alungat Barbara.
Dr. Amakanji also earned a leadership certificate from the Julius Nyerere Leadership Center (JNLC)- Makerere University and is set to graduate in January 2025 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation from the same institution.
Makerere University is home to the first Rotary Peace Centre on the African Continent, established in 2021. This pioneering centre offers a year-long certificate program in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and development designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive peace initiatives in Kenya and globally. With its location in the Great Lakes region, the Makerere Rotary Peace Centre provides a unique, holistic approach to peace education that transcends merely avoiding conflict, focusing instead on proactive peace and development work. The Rotary Peace Centres program customizes curricula to cultivate future leaders dedicated to resolving conflicts and fostering sustainable peace worldwide.
Workshop participants following presentations during the workshop
We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Amakanji on this remarkable milestone. We are confident that the expertise and insights he has gained through this fellowship will significantly contribute to reshaping the counter-violent extremism landscape in Kenya and beyond. His dedication will no doubt support efforts to build peaceful, just, and inclusive societies regionally and globally.
By Shiundu Masafu and Caren Nekesa
