Department of International Relations, Conflict & Strategic Studies (IRCSS)

Book Launch Event

Title of the Book: International Criminal Justice in Africa Since the Rome Statute

Editors:                Joseph O Wasonga & James Nyawo

Officiated by:       The Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina

Chief Guest:        Ms Kirtsten Hommes, The First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya

 On the 23^rd of August 2019, the Department of International Relations, Conflict & Strategic Studies (IRCSS), under the School of Security Diplomacy and Peace Studies launched an edited book ‘ International Criminal Justice in Africa Since the Rome Statute.’ The edited book consists of 10 chapters developed from the papers presented during an International Conference that was organised and held in 2019. A total of 112 participants attended the book launch, and below are some of photos taken from the event.

Courtesy Call to the Vice Challencor, Professor Paul Wainaina, far left is Professor Frederick Gravenir, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Outreach  (RIO), followed by Dr Lucy Maina, The Dean of the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies and Dr Felistus Kinyanjui, The Chairperson, Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies and Dr James Nyawo, Co-editor of the book and Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies, 23 August 2019. 

Courtesy Call Group Photo, at the Centre is the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Professor Paul Wainaina, to his immediate right is Ms Kirtsten Hommes, The First Secretary for Political Affairs at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya, following by The Dean of the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, Dr Lucy Maina, and The Registrar Corporate Affairs, Professor Grace Bunyi. To the Vice Chancellor’s immediate left is The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Outreach Professor Frederick Gravenir, followed by The Chairperson, of the Department of International Relations, Conflict & Strategic Studies Dr Felistus Kinyanjui and Dr James Nyawo, a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Conflict & Strategic Studies. [23 August 2019] 

The Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Professor Paul Wainaina, delivering his speech and linking the book launch to the overall University vision and mission. 

The Head of Cameroonian Diplomatic Mission in Kenya Dr Vivian Nain Kuma, entering the venue of the Book Launch [23 August 2019] 

Dr Felistus Kinyanjui, the Chairperson of the Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies, welcoming invited guests to the event and outlining the Department’s different programmes, 23 August 2019. 

Co-Editor Dr James Nyawo, Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Conflict & Strategic Studies, delivering his remarks on the main themes that emerge from the Book

The Dean School of Law, Dr Faith Kabata, making a presentation of the historical development of international criminal law and some of the debates surrounding international criminal justice.[23 August 2019] 

Dr Lucy Maina, The Dean of School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, addressing the invited guests and outlining the School’s vision and how it relates to research and the production of academic knowledge. [23 August 2019] 

The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Outreach Professor Frederick Gravenir delivering his remarks during the book launch. 23 August 2019

The First Secretary Political Affairs First Secretary Security and Rule of Law at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya, Ms Kirtsten Hommes, representing the Chief Guest, Frans Makken the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi, Kenya, delivering here speech before officially launching the book. 23 August 2019

The First Secretary Political Affairs First Secretary Security and Rule of Law at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya, Ms Kirtsten Hommes officially launching the book; International Criminal Justice in Africa Since the Rome Statute 23 August 2019. 

Co Editor, Dr Joseph Wasonga and a Lecturer in the Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies presenting a copy of the book to the Chief Guest. [23 August 2019]

The Vice Chancellor Professor Wainaina, the Chief Guest The First Secretary Political Affairs First Secretary Security and Rule of Law at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya, and The Head of Cameroonian Diplomatic Mission in Kenya Dr Vivian Nain Kuma, joined in a group photo by other guests, the University Management Team and the those who contributed chapters to the book.

The Vice Chancellor Professor Wainaina, the Chief Guest The First Secretary Political Affairs First Secretary Security and Rule of Law at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya, and The Head of Cameroonian Diplomatic Mission in Kenya Dr Vivian Nain Kuma having a conversation after the Book Launch. 23 August 2019 

Extreme Right in Red tie, The Director of Kenyatta University City Campus, Dr Felix Kuruthi following the proceedings during the book launch. 

The School of Security, Diplomacy & Peace Studies Examination Coordinator Dr Bernard Muiya, seated next to Linda Kitavi and Stephen Kimathi Mutungi, both Masters students in International Relations, following the proceedings during the book launch [23 August 2019]

Department of International Relations, Conflict, Strategic Studies, Examinations Coordinator and Lecturer Dr Leah Barasa in red seated next to Dr Namwamba during the Book Launch. [23 August 2019] 

The Dean of the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, Dr Lucy Maina having a conversation with The Head of Cameroonian Diplomatic Mission in Kenya Dr Vivian Nain Kuma and the Chief Guest The First Secretary Political Affairs First Secretary Security and Rule of Law at the Embassy of The Kingdom of Netherlands to Nairobi Kenya

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02 September 2019

The School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies at Kenyatta University hosted a two-day International Conference to reflect on the prospects, the challenges and the future of international criminal justice in Africa since the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998, a multilateral treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The International Conference was organised and hosted by Kenyatta University in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for East Africa (OSIEA). It was organised to mark the 20-year anniversary since the adoption of the Rome Statute.

On the first day of the Conference, the Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Wainaina, in his welcoming remarks, emphasised the need to have a frank and open discussion on the role of the International Criminal Court because from its inception its journey has not been smooth. He underlined that the International Conference provided a platform for academic discourse where scholars and experts shared ideas regarding international criminal law. Mr Kennedy Ogeto, the Solicitor General of Kenya, was the Guest of Honour. In his keynote speech, he narrated how and why the early enthusiasm that African States had shown towards the International Criminal Court had dwindled. Part of the reason being that African States and the African Union felt that the ICC is disproportionately biased against Africa. Justice Richard Goldstone, a former prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), gave a candid assessment of the challenges and also achievements of the International Criminal Court. Other keynote speakers included Professor Mark Drumbl, Professor Sirleaf Matiangai, Professor Gilbert Khadiagala, Professor Makau Mutua and Christopher Mohony.

During the conference researchers, scholars and practitioners from diverse regions and countries of the globe viz Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe presented 18 papers. This added a rich diversity to the nature of the discussions held and fundamentals issues of concern were deliberated upon in the two days.

From the deliberations and discussions the participants recommended the need to: a) Establish an international commission of truth, justice and reconciliation b) Strengthen domestic and regional courts in order to complement the International Criminal Court; this is because the ICC is the court of last resort c) Enhance victim participation, representation and reparations d) Strengthen the ICC’s internal systems for efficiency, e) Develop political will f) Rethink the concept of justice and, finally, g) Depoliticise the ICC.

The main output of the conference was a depoliticised academic forum to discuss prospects and challenges facing International Criminal Court in its mandate of ending impunity and promoting international rule of law. The international conference was one among very few, that are held on the African continent, a region much affected by the actions and interventions of the International Criminal Court. To date the majority of such discussions are held in Europe, which is out of reach for many African researchers and scholars. It was evident from the discussions during the conference that there are still many issues about the International Criminal Court that require unpacking. One of the key follow-up activity from the conference is the publication of some of the papers presented, in either a special journal or an edited book.

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14 November 2018

Professor Viktor Marsai, from the National University of Public Service Budapest, Hungary delivering a Public Lecture on the Security situation in the Horn of Africa, at Kenyatta University, School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies, Staff members and post-graduate students. The Public Lecture was delivered on the 31st of January 2019.
Professor Marsai, was visiting Kenya as part of ERASMUS + EXCHANGE between Kenyatta University and the National University of Public Service Budapest, Hungary.

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14 February 2019

On Wednesday 24^th of October 2018 was United Nations Day. It was the day that the international community celebrated the formation of the United Nations in 1945. Kenyatta University Post Graduate Students from the School of Security, Diplomacy and Peace Studies attended the celebrations held at the United Nations Office, in Nairobi, Kenya. They had an opportunity to witness Kenyan and the world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge, being nominated the United Nations Kenya Person of the Year.  Ambassador Monica Juma, the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade attended proceedings and delivered keynote speech.

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14 November 2018