Njoki Wamai

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Njoki Wamai
Njoki Wamai 2014.jpg
Wamai in Nairobi Kenya in 2014
Citizenship Kenyan
Education PhD
Alma mater University of Nairobi, King's College London, University of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Academic, researcher
Employer United States International University Africa
Known for Transitional justice, African feminism, peace and security
Title Assistant Professor, International Relations

Njoki Wamai Kenyan academic, feminist activist, and Pan-africanist whose work has focused on marginalized people, human rights movements, post-conflict transitional justice, women rights and African politics using Critical, Feminist and Decolonial approaches. [1] [2] She is an assistant professor in the International Relations Department at United States International University Africa (USIU-A) in Nairobi. [3] In 2016, she was awarded the Bill Gates Sr Prize for her leadership and contributions to the Gates Cambridge community. [4] [5]

Contents

Early life and education

Wamai earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Gender and Development from the University of Nairobi. [1] [6] She later completed a Master's in Conflict, Security and Development at King's College London through the African Leadership Centre, graduating with distinction. [7] [5] [6]

She received her PhD in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge in 2017 as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. [8] Following her PhD, she pursued postdoctoral research at Cambridge's Centre for Governance and Human Rights (CGHR). [9]

Career and research

Wamai is Cambridge scholar and an assistant professor of International Relations at the United States International University Africa (USIU-A) in Nairobi, where she teaches and researches on human rights, African politics, and international development. [10] Her academic work explores the relationship between international legal institutions, such as the International Criminal Court, and local practices of justice in Kenya and other African contexts. [5] [6]

Her research engages with themes in Women, Peace and Security, African feminism, gender equality, transitional justice and critical approaches to peacebuilding and knowledge production. She has held roles in civil society organisations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue. [8] She has contributed to national policy frameworks such as Kenya's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. [5]

Public scholarship

She has participated in public discussions and contributed commentary on African politics and justice systems through platforms such as The Conversation , The Elephant , HuffPost , Pambazuka News , and through various broadcast interviews.

Affiliations and recognition

Wamai is a board member of the Life & Peace Institute, where she contributes to peacebuilding initiatives across Africa. [3] She is also an alumna of the African Leadership Centre at King's College London alongside Toyin Ajao and Shuvai Busuman Nyoni, all of whom have held leadership roles within the centre. [7] [11] [12] [13]

While at the University of Cambridge, Wamai co-founded the Black Cantabs Research Society, a counter-history initiative that documents the contributions of Black alumni and challenges historical erasure. [14] Her work with the society is featured on the Black people in Cambridge page, which highlights the experiences and activism of Black students and scholars at the university. She also helped establish the Cambridge Eastern African Society and the African Society of Cambridge University. [8]

In 2024, Wamai was named one of the Top 100 Career Women in Africa by 9to5Chick, a platform that highlights professional achievements of African women across diverse sectors. [15]

Publications

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The ASSN Quarterly – October 2012" (PDF). African Security Sector Network. October 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Wamai, Njoki (PhD)". USIU-Africa. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Our People". Life & Peace Institute. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Kenyan Njoki Wamai wins 4th Bill Gates Sr Prize". HerBusiness Kenya. 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "An Interview with Njoki Wamai: Current APN Individual Research Grant Recipient". Kujenga Amani. Social Science Research Council. 18 February 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Njoki Wamai – Fellow 2022/2023". Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 "E. Njoki Wamai". Africa Leadership Centre. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 "Njoki Wamai". Gates Cambridge. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Wamai, Njoki, PhD". USIU-Africa. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Njoki Wamai's Profile". Muck Rack. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Publications by Alumni". African Leadership Centre. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Toyin Ajao". King's College London. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Shuvai Busuman Nyoni". King's College London. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Celebrating Black Cantabs". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "9to5Chick Unveils Top 100 Career Women in Africa 2024". TVC News. 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
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