For the eighth and final episode, in collaboration with The Elephant and Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi!, The Civic Voice is honored to feature Prof. Maria Nzomo in the Intergenerational Solidarity Series.
In this engaging and insightful conversation, we speak with Prof. Maria Nzomo, one of Kenya’s trailblazing scholars in international relations and gender politics. A pioneering voice in both academia and policy, Prof. Nzomo reflects on the intersection of gender, governance, and civic resistance in Kenya’s democratic journey. Drawing on her extensive experience in diplomacy, activism, and scholarship, she analyzes the Gen Z-led protests of June 2024 through a feminist and political lens, highlighting how youth activism today echoes and reinvents earlier struggles for justice and representation. From women’s rights to state accountability, Prof. Nzomo emphasizes the need for inclusive leadership and sustained public engagement to secure a truly democratic future.
About Nzomo
Professor Maria Nzomo is a distinguished Kenyan scholar in International Relations and Governance, currently serving as Emeritus Professor and Director of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies (IDIS) at the University of NairobShe made history as the first Kenyan woman to earn a Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations, obtaining her doctorate from Dalhousie University in Canada in 1981.
A veteran academic, Prof. Nzomo began her career at the University of Nairobi in 1979 as a Tutorial Fellow and rose through the ranks to become Associate Professor by 1995.
Her academic work spans over 30 years, focusing on diplomacy, security, gender, and the role of civil society in democratic transitions. Among her notable scholarly contributions are peer‑reviewed articles such as “Rethinking African Security: A feminist perspective” and “Academic Freedom and Democratic Space in Kenya”
She has also authored influential works on women’s rights and affirmative action, including a 2010 article addressing their prospects and challenges within Kenya’s constitutional reform.
In addition to her academic achievements, Prof. Nzomo has an impressive diplomatic record. From 2003 to 2009, she held key ambassadorial positions representing Kenya in Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland (Eswatini), and Zimbabwe, and in 2006 was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
Her diplomatic expertise and leadership have greatly enhanced IDIS’s reputation and contributed to Kenya’s global engagement in diplomacy.
Prof. Nzomo is also a committed advocate for gender equality and human rights. As a trailblazing female academic and diplomat, she has mentored generations of students, especially women, encouraging them to pursue higher education and leadership roles .
Her accolades include national recognition such as the Elder of the Burning Spear award for her distinguished public service.
