Dean Rusk Lecture: "Why Africa Matters: A Discussion with the Kenyan Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Ekitela Lokaale"

His Excellency Erastus Ekitela Lokaale is the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations. With over two decades of experience in social development, human rights, and governance across Kenya, Somalia, and the East African region, he has worked extensively in law-making, policy development, and development planning at both national and sub-national levels.

Before his appointment, Amb. Lokaale served as Head of the Presidential Secretariat on the South Sudan Peace Process and as a Climate Change Advisor at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, where he led Kenya’s participation in key international climate forums. He was also a managing partner at Northern Consulting Solutions, a Kenyan consulting firm specializing in climate change, governance, and human rights.

From 2017 to 2022, he served as Speaker of the Turkana County Assembly, following his tenure as a Programme Manager at UNDP Kenya. He previously held roles with Oxfam NOVIB in Somalia, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Centre for Minority Rights Development.

An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Amb. Lokaale holds a law degree from the University of Nairobi and a master’s in international development law and human rights from the University of Warwick. He is fluent in English, Kiswahili, and Turkana. 

This lecture will be moderated by Professor of Political Science, Dr. Ken Menkhaus. This event is FREE and open to the public!