Poet and playwright Sitawa Namwalie reflects on the deep impact of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s work on her life and art. She speaks about growing up in post-colonial Kenya, the violence of language erasure in schools and how Ngugi’s Decolonising…
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In this compelling interview, journalist and political commentator Mohammed Amin Abdishukri reflects on Kenya’s current wave of youth-led protests — often dubbed the Gen Z or Gen Zote movement. He places this moment within a historical continuum of resistance,…
In this compelling reflection, linguist and Director of Twaweza Communications, Prof Kimani Njogu, explores the centrality of language in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s political and literary work. He explains why Ngũgĩ turned to African languages to reach people across the…
A powerful tribute to Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o – renowned writer, academic and political thinker. This event brings together influential voices to reflect on his legacy and impact on African literature, identity and resistance. Speakers: Sitawa Namwalie – Poet,…
On 5 July 2025, the Rift Valley Forum—in collaboration with the British Institute in Eastern Africa, IFRA, Cheche Books and Twaweza Communications— brought together scholars, authors, activists and politicians to celebrate Ngugi’s literary brilliance, political courage and enduring influence:…
On Monday, 27 May 2024, the South Sudan Women’s Research Network (SSWRN), supported by the European Union, held a forum to launch and discuss research conducted by early career researchers involved in the project. This two-part podcast series captures…
Over the past two decades, the Horn and Eastern Africa Region have witnessed a proliferation of peace-making and peace-building processes as a means of democratisation. A wealth and power sharing governance arrangements designed and upheld by regional and international…
Over the past year, countries across the East Africa region have held elections to elect leaders at various levels. These polls have been accompanied by complaints over irregularities, violence and a general lack of credibility. In Uganda and Tanzania,…
Over the past year, countries across the East Africa region have held elections to elect leaders at various levels. These polls have been accompanied by complaints over irregularities, violence and a general lack of credibility. In Uganda and Tanzania,…
On 22 February 2013, the Rift Valley Institute’s Nairobi Forum hosted an event entitled ‘Somalia’s Jubaland: Past, present and potential futures’. Jubaland has been one of the most heavily fought over regions of Somalia—but with its perennial river, fertile…
Recent Publications
The Political Economy of Coffee in the Sidama–Gedeo–Guji Belt, Southern Ethiopia
September 4, 2026
This report is part of a wider research project on the political economy of coffee in Ethiopia in the context of the political transition since 2018. It focuses on the Sidama–Gedeo–Guji coffee belt in southern Ethiopia, aiming to understand the
SHECONF 2026: International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
July 9, 2026
Event report On 26 March 2026, researchers, practitioners and academics gathered in Addis Ababa for SHECONF 2026, an International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities in Ethiopia, the first of its kind convened by the Ethiopian Women Researchers Network (EWNET).
State Capture in Africa: How elite networks undermine democracy, development and security
June 24, 2026
Key points State capture has been increasingly recognized as a major governance challenge due to the way it helps to drive many of the most pressing problems facing contemporary states, including democratic erosion, corruption, economic exclusion, insecurity and declining trust