Founding Director - Research and Policy
Mashariki Research and Policy Centre
Nairobi
03.2025 - Current
Dr. Solomon Njenga, PhD
Senior Scientist, PhD - Climate-Security-Peace Nexus
Nairobi,30 Nairobi
Summary
I am a Senior Scientist and an expert in Climate, Peace, and Security specialist with over 15 years of experience driving sustainable development, program governance, and environmental stewardship across Eastern Africa. I currently serve as the Director of Research and Policy at the Mashariki Research and Policy Centre, a think tank dedicated to advancing peace, security, and conflict research in the region.
Over the course of my career, I have led multi-country programs and multi-million-dollar initiatives, including the Regenerative Seascape for Nature, People, and Planet (CAD 30M), which spans Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, and Mozambique. This project, implemented in partnership with IUCN and Mission Inclusion Canada, focused on regenerative seascapes, sustainable livelihoods, and community-driven climate action. I have also served as Director for Sustainability and Climate Action at the International Leadership University, shaping climate and sustainability strategies at institutional and national levels.
I am a certified Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Expert and senior member of the Environmental Institute of Kenya. I hold a professional certificate in Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Design, and Environmental Audit from the University of Nairobi and am proud to be a Canadian Queen Elizabeth Doctoral Scholar in Ecological Economics, Commons Governance, Peacebuilding, and Climate Action at York University, Canada, and the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Throughout my career, I have collaborated closely with research institutions, universities, African governments, nongovernmental organizations, and intergovernmental organizations to promote socio-ecological economics, commons governance, climate action, and blue economy initiatives. I am deeply committed to designing and executing innovative programs that benefit marginalized and vulnerable communities, enhance environmental sustainability, support citizen science, and advance climate justice in the Western Indian Ocean region.
Work History
Founding Director - School of Sustainability and Climate Action & Peace
International Leadership University
05.2024 - 03.2025
Deputy Chief of Party & Ag. Chief of Party
Mission Inclusion, Canada & IUCN
12.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed operational strategies to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows across multiple departments.
- Led team initiatives to improve service delivery and operational performance through best practices.
- Mentored staff on compliance standards, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and organizational policies.
- Resolved complex issues by collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement effective solutions.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, driving process enhancements and cost savings.
- Developed training programs focused on skill enhancement and professional development for team members.
- Established communication protocols that improved information flow between departments and enhanced collaboration efforts.
- Implemented strategic planning sessions that aligned departmental goals with organizational objectives, fostering a results-driven culture.
- Oversaw departmental operations and increased efficiency [Number]% to reduce costs for taxpayers and department [Number]%.
- Conceptualized social media page for [Location] department to allow citizens to contact PD directly, achieving higher responses.
- Organized, reviewed and evaluated work of [Number] sworn and non-sworn staff members.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication and cross-functional initiatives.
- Recorded, analyzed and gathered intelligence to achieve community safety.
- Improved department efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new technology solutions.
- Rewrote and updated comprehensive department policies and procedures.
- Arranged conferences and meetings with other law enforcement officers to discuss high-profile criminal cases and unsolved crimes.
- Implemented innovative policies that improved staff retention rates while maintaining high levels of productivity.
- Served as a mentor to junior staff members, providing guidance on best practices for professional growth and development.
- Conducted thorough risk assessments for potential projects or initiatives before moving forward with implementation efforts.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through employee training, development, and performance management.
- Established new police training programs to address training needs for terrorism response, active shooter response and de-escalation of use of force.
- Recommended and prepared long-range plans for police service programs by developing specific proposals for action on current and future needs.
- Played a critical role in crisis management, developing contingency plans and coordinating communication efforts during emergency situations.
- Facilitated cross-departmental cooperation to achieve shared objectives more efficiently than previously possible.
- Promoted a safe work environment by establishing comprehensive safety procedures and conducting routine inspections.
- Provided oversight and guidance on high-priority projects, ensuring their successful completion within budget and timeline constraints.
- Managed budgets, resources, and personnel to ensure optimal allocation of resources in alignment with organizational goals.
- Built strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance collaboration and drive positive outcomes.
- Developed strategic plans to address current challenges and future growth opportunities for the organization.
- Analyzed crime data maps, graphs and statistics to develop patrol and crime prevention strategies.
- Streamlined workflows for increased efficiency, reducing administrative burdens on staff members.
- Trained team members on new hotel services and products to support promotional efforts.
- Conducted ongoing reviews of program financial systems to assess cost control measures.
- Developed internal requirements and standards to minimize regulatory risks and liability across programs.
- Interceded between employees during arguments and diffused tense situations.
- Built highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Optimized organizational systems for payment collections, AP/AR, deposits, and recordkeeping.
- Organized spaces, materials and catering support for internal and client-focused meetings.
- Organized meetings for executives and coordinated availability of conference rooms for participants.
- Managed supervisor itinerary and appointments and streamlined scheduling procedures.
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Improved office operations by automating client correspondence, record tracking and data communications.
- Kept high average of performance evaluations.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for [Number] employees.
- Provided backup to front desk to step in to assist with various tasks whenever employee was absent or at lunch.
- Monitored front areas so that questions could be promptly addressed.
- Delegated tasks to administrative support staff to organize and improve office efficiency.
- Coordinated individual duties after careful evaluation of each employee's skill level and knowledge.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores through application of superior conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both clients and personnel.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
- Managed department grant applications and expense and revenue tracking.
- Conducted security assessments of buildings and storage facilities to report deficiencies and suggest corrective actions.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to secure favorable terms that maximized value for the organization.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations through regular audits, reviews, and policy updates.
- Championed diversity initiatives within the organization by promoting inclusive hiring practices.
- Evaluated existing programs for effectiveness in meeting organizational goals before recommending changes or adaptations as necessary.
- Cultivated a positive work atmosphere by encouraging open communication channels among team members at all levels of the organization.
Senior Lecturer (Adjunct/Associate)
International Leadership University
08.2007 - 11.2023
Program Graduate Fellow
Conservation International
01.2017 - 12.2017
Founding Director, Dean, and Senior Lecturer
Africa Nazarene University
05.2011 - 12.2016
Independent Consultant
08.2007 - 04.2011
Education
PhD - Climate Sciences
University of Nairobi
12.2025
PhD - Environmental Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS)
Masinde Muliro University of Science & Tech
01.2014
Master of Science/Arts - Social Sciences (Coun/Psych.)
International Leadership University Kenya
01.2007
Bachelor Of Arts/BTh - Social Sciences
Scott Christian University, KE
Professional Certificate - Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment & Audit (EIA&A)
University of Nairobi
01.2009
Professional Certificate - Project Management and Funding
Daystar University
01.2009
Msc - Sustainability Sciences
Oxford University
Skills
- Project Management
- Climate and Sustainability
- Peace and Security
- Socioeconomic Livelihoods
- Measurement Frameworks
- Community Livelihood Initiatives
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Situational Analysis
- Problem-Solving
- Data Interpretation
- Financial Management
- Donor Reporting
- Resource Allocation
Personal Information
Title: Regional Coordinator
Publications
- Peer-reviewed Journals
- Characterization of climate justice laws, policy framework, and actor space for the mangrove-dependent livelihoods in Lamu County, Kenya, Solomon Njenga, Olago and Evans, Scientific African, 28, 2025. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246822762500242X
- Effects of climate change on mangrove-dependent livelihoods in Lamu County, Kenya, S., Njenga, Olago D, Kituyi E, Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science, 23(1), 2024. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wiojms/article/view/256424
- Neoliberalism, Climate Change, and Displaced and Homeless Populations: Exploring Interactions Through Case Studies, S., Njenga, Bezgrebelna, M., Hajat, S., Settembrino, M. R., Vickery, J., & Kidd, S. A., Humanity & Society, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1177/01605976231219232
- Investigating Citizen Participation in Plans for Lamu Port, Kenya, S. Njenga, University of Calgary Press, 2023, https://ucp.manifoldapp.org/projects/9781773854083/resource/chapter-9-
- A response framework for addressing the risks of climate change for homeless populations, Kidd SA, Bezgrebelna et al ..S. Njenga, Climate Policy, 2023, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14693062.2023.2194280
- The climate change- homelessness nexus, Kidd SA, Hajat S, Bezgrebelna M, McKenzie K, S. Njenga et al., The Lancet, 2021, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)008345/abstract#%20
- Njenga Ng’ang’a, Solomon (2014). Strategies of Trauma Management inPeacebuilding Initiatives among Secondary School Students in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya https://www.ijac.org.uk/images/frontImages/gallery/Vol._3_No._7/7.pdf
- Lamet, Judy, Njenga, Solomon (2020). Community Mobilization Strategy on Preventing Child Marriages among the Maasai Community, in Kenya https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346199764_
- M. Gisele & S. Njenga (2017). The Role of Multinational Corporations on Economic Empowerment of Women and Job Creation for Women in Twangiza, DRC Congo. https://stratfordjournals.org/journals/index.php/journal-of-human-resource/article/view/45/55
- Journal, Books, Chapter -Print BOOKS
- Njenga, Solomon (2017): Research Design & Methodology. The Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Publishers, Nairobi, Kenya
- Njenga, Solomon (2008): Healing Trauma: A Manual for Helping Children Recover from Wounds of Post-election Violence. Malmart Publishers, 2008
- Njenga, Solomon (ed) (2021): Mangrove Ecosystem Conservation Manual: a Focus on Kenya. Publishers-IRD-Cirad Press, Nairobi,Kenya
- BOOK Chapter
- Njenga, Solomon -Investigating Citizen Participation in Lamu Port Construction, Lamu County, Kenya, 2023. Book title: Climate
- Change and Participatory Research: Building Climate-Resilient Commons, editor E. Perkins, University of York, Canada, Publisher: University of Calgary Press, 2023. DOI: https://press.ucalgary.ca/books/9781773854076/. Chapter Link Access: https://ucp.manifoldapp.org/read/e7e60641-d04b-469a-9db0-c34301a852fa/section/b896422a-489e-4154-8315-68edf11f0167
- PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS/ PUBLICATIONS
- Kidd SA, Bezgrebelna M, Hajat S, Keevers L, Ravindran A, Stergiopoulos V, Wells S, Yamamoto S, Galvao LA, Hale M, Njenga
- Solomon. A response framework for addressing the risks of climate change for homeless populations. Climate Policy. 2023 May. 28;23(5):623-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2023.2194280. Access link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14693062.2023.2194280
- Kidd SA, Hajat S, Bezgrebelna M, McKenzie K, Njenga Solomon et al. The climate change–homelessness nexus.The Lancet. 2021. May 8;397(10286):1693-4. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00834-5. Access link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/permissions/10.1080/14693062.2023.2194280?scroll=top
- Solomon Njenga, Dan Olago, Evans Kituyi, and Claire Médard. "Impact of Climate Change on Mangrove Dependent Livelihoodsthrough Climate Justice Lens in Lamu County, Kenya." (2023) (preprint).DOI https://doi.org/10.31223/X5DM23.Access link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/permissions/10.1080/14693062.2023.2194280?scroll=top
- Njenga Ng’ang’a, Solomon (2014). Strategies of Trauma Management in Peacebuilding Initiatives among Secondary School Students in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology). Access link: https://www.ijac.org.uk/images/frontImages/gallery/Vol._3_No._7/7.pdf
- Lamet, Judy, Njenga, Solomon (2020. Community Mobilization Strategy on Preventing Child Marriages among the Maasai. Community, in Kenya. DOI: 10.24940/theijhss/2020/v8/i6/HS2006-096. Link Access:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346199764_Community_Mobilization_Strategy_on_Preventing_Child_Marriages_amon
Timeline
Founding Director - Research and Policy
Mashariki Research and Policy Centre
03.2025 - Current
Founding Director - School of Sustainability and Climate Action & Peace
International Leadership University
05.2024 - 03.2025
Deputy Chief of Party & Ag. Chief of Party
Mission Inclusion, Canada & IUCN
12.2023 - 05.2024
Program Graduate Fellow
Conservation International
01.2017 - 12.2017
Founding Director, Dean, and Senior Lecturer
Africa Nazarene University
05.2011 - 12.2016
Senior Lecturer (Adjunct/Associate)
International Leadership University
08.2007 - 11.2023
Independent Consultant
08.2007 - 04.2011
Bachelor Of Arts/BTh - Social Sciences
Scott Christian University, KE
Professional Certificate - Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment & Audit (EIA&A)
University of Nairobi
Professional Certificate - Project Management and Funding
Daystar University
Msc - Sustainability Sciences
Oxford University
PhD - Climate Sciences
University of Nairobi
PhD - Environmental Peace and Conflict Studies (PCS)
Masinde Muliro University of Science & Tech
Master of Science/Arts - Social Sciences (Coun/Psych.)
International Leadership University Kenya
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