Rosalind Macharia

Biography

I hold a PhD in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law from the University of South Africa (UNISA), having previously acquired a Master of Laws from UNISA and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi.    

I am a senior lecturer at the National Intelligence and Research University, Kenya where I lecture on Strategic Intelligence & Policy, Law & Intelligence, & Countering Violent Extremism.  I have been a counter terrorism and PCVE practitioner for over 20 years, excelled in counter terrorism theory and practice and served as the immediate former Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Kenya. 

Areas of expertise

Law and security  

Research interests

1. Interplay between security, the law and new technology  
2. Prevention and countering violent extremism theory and practice 

Project Information

Project title: New Pan-Africanist and Anti-Imperialism Wave in Africa: The Role of Digital Media 

During my fellowship at LAHRI, I will be exploring the renewed wave of anti-imperialist and Pan-African thought, fuelled by digitalisation, youth activism, and an erosion of faith in democratic systems signalling a growing resistance and a reclaiming of agency.  The research will analyse the emergent media culture brought about by digitalisation, and how this culture is fuelling resistance.  Digital media is leading a Pan-African narrative, bringing to the fore a messianic fever glorifying leaders who came to power through military coups.  Artificial intelligence has been co-opted to fuel this growing cult of personality. These digital artifacts saturate search results, reinforcing a carefully curated messianic image.  An interesting fact of these narratives is the possibility of foreign influence curated as anti-imperialism.  This research will therefore seek to understand how digital tools are being used to resist domination narratives and construct alternative futures rooted in Pan-African ideals, and whether indeed there is a new form of imperialism in the shifting geopolitical alliances disguised as support for African sovereignty.  

Publications

Book Chapters

1. Macharia, R. et al (eds), 2017, Countering Violent Extremism in Kenya, Vol 1., The Strategic Implications of the Shift from Counter Terrorism to Countering Violent Extremism and Counter Insurgency, (Nairobi: Thirty-Three Consortium, 2017) 

Journal Articles

1. Macharia, R. “Democracy and the Current Global Wave of Terror:  Who Will Blink First?”  Law Society Journal, Vol. 14(2), 2018, pp. 19-38. 
2. Macharia, R. “The Extant European Jihadist: A Generational Revolt” NIA Journal of Peace & Security Studies Vol. 1(1), 2018, pp. 1-10. 
3. Macharia, R. “The ‘Best interests of the Child’ Principle: A Towering Silhouette Begging for Back-up” CUEA Journal of Contemporary Law Vol. 2(1), 2021, pp. 18-39 
4. Macharia R. “Shackled Body, Free Spirit: Imprisonment of Terrorist Offenders” CUEA Journal of Contemporary Law Vol. 2(2), 2021, pp. 58-75. 
5. Macharia R. “Kenya’s Model for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism: The Quintessential Embodiment of the Concept of Human Security NDU Journal Vol.1(1) 2023, pp. 116-138. 
6. Macharia R. (2024, September) A view from the CT Foxhole: Interview Kristina Hummel & Samuel Bowles CTCSentinel Vol. 17(8)  

Conferences

1. Macharia, R. (2022, February 12-15). Violent Extremism and Terrorism Threat Analysis and Trends and Dynamics of the changing nature of violent extremism and terror groups in the regional. In IGAD Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (Conference) Enhancing and Deepening the Capacity of Regional Criminal Justice System in PCVE, Entebbe, Uganda.  
2. Macharia, R. (2022, March 10). Disengagement, deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration. UNOCT Workshop on Mobilizing South-South Cooperation in Support of Countering Terrorism and Preventing Violent Extremism in Eastern and Southern Africa. Nairobi, Kenya 
3. Macharia, R. (2023, May 1). Terrorism: Emergent threat in Africa. European Union Workshop on Protection of Public Spaces against Terrorists, Dakar, Senegal. 
4. Macharia, R. (2023, July12-13). Regional perspectives on terrorism: Assessing Kenya’s success and challenges. Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Da’esh Conference, Washington DC, USA. 
5. Macharia, R. (2023, December 2). Lessons learnt from Kenya’s model of Countering Violent Extremism. Political Directors Small Group Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Da’esh, Rome, Italy