Clifford Collins Okwany

Clifford Collins Okwany is a political scientist and security scholar specializing in international security, conflict and political violence, with particular expertise in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.

His research examines counterterrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism, radicalization and deradicalization, community-based and non-state armed groups, territoriality and foreign policy. He has conducted research and taught at the University of Nairobi and has contributed research through the RESOLVE Network, housed at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Trained in political science and international relations in Kenya and Norway, Clifford was selected as the 2023 Åland Peace Fellow at the Åland Islands Peace Institute in Finland.

At SPI, Clifford leads the Peace, Security & Governance program, developing research and policy engagement on violent extremism, conflict prevention, regional security, governance and institutional responses to insecurity in Africa.