Stony Brook Alumnus Elected as Member of Parliament in Kenya

STONY BROOK , NY - Kabando wa Kabando, a Stony Brook University alumnus from the Political Science Department, has recently been elected a Member of Parliament (MP) in Kenya. He becomes one of 210 elected MPs to participate in the National Assembly.

A 2001 graduate of Stony Brook, Kabando received a Masters in Pubic Policy and Management. He praised Stony Brook for providing him with "unequalled opportunity to excel in public policy study management," and "international exposure of political institutions." While in the US , Kabando was exposed to American politics through working with the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC), and Stony Brook's government relations program, and Office of the President.

President Shirley Strum Kenny, was " thrilled" at Kabando's new role as MP. "To have an alumnus as a Member of Parliament is great, and we are extremely proud of him. He is an extraordinary person; a true leader."

Kabando was elected as MP of Mukurwe-ini constituency under a minority opposition party, Safina (Swahili word for biblical Noah's Ark ). Safina was created in 1997, sponsored by Stony Brook visiting faculty Dr. Richard Leakey, to eliminate ethnic-based politics and present a unified front against the then president Daniel T. arap Moi.

The 2007 elections was Kabando's third time back in the race after a commendable second place in the Safina nomination in 1997, and close race in the 2002 General Election. Despite his previous loss, Kabando maintained his presence in the constituency. In 2007, he declined to renew his contract as the chairman of Nairobi Water Company to mount an aggressive campaign.

As the new MP of Mukurwe-ini, Kabando's vision is to give residents "equal opportunities to self determination and prosperity" through a leadership that is "fair, caring and abhors discrimination." Kabando's vision comes as a ray of hope within the political crisis in Kenya .

More than 1,000 people have been killed and 300,000 displaced six weeks after the announcement of presidential election results that sparked violent protests across the country. Kabando has since lead several efforts to promote peace, national healing and reconciliation including: holding prayer meetings, making public appeals and carrying out messages of peace in the media, and mobilizing fellow MPs and legislators to jointly host a leaders' forum and make contributions to victims of violence and displaced persons.

"We are people who are very optimistic and very resilient," stated Kabando when questioned about the potential for resolving the crisis. "Kenyans are going to emerge as a stronger people appreciating their diversity, understanding our mistakes, and in the spirit of our national anthem, [we] will live in peace, liberty and unity, with justice being our shield and defender."

The 39 year old MP has continually been committed to civic education and mobilization exemplified in his work with the Citizen's Coalition for Constitutional Change, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission. He also participated in a voluntary group during the 2002 General Elections to organize a coalition of major political parties, known as the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). The NARC government was created with a reformist agenda aimed at revitalizing the economy, with current President Mwai Kibaki as the leader.

Kabando also served as the Chairman for Nairobi Water Company, CEO of the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers, Trustee for Rafiki Development Trust and Democratic Vision Trust (DVT), Member of the National Convention Assembly in Kenya, Chairman of the University of Nairobi Student Union, and Finance secretary of the East African Youth Council.

Kabando studied at Stony Brook under a Leakey Fellowship, which was established by Dr. Leakey to encourage graduate students from Kenya to study at Stony Brook University with the hope that they will use the skills acquired to contribute to the development of their home country. Kabando obtained his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Nairobi in Kenya and has extensive international training in Corporate Governance and Leadership.

To add onto his numerous accomplishments, the newly elected MP has been selected as Stony Brook's Political Science Department's Distinguished Alumnus award winner for 2008. The award was established to honor outstanding graduates who have excelled professionally in their chosen profession and achieved a notable level of success.

"I truly appreciate the honor of the award as an individual, but also a representative of my country," stated Kabando. "I look forward to this award as a challenge to my leadership so that the connectivity between Long Island and East Africa, and more in particular between Stony Brook and Kenya as a Republic grows."

Kabando will be honored at the Stony Brook graduation ceremony this spring, at which time he will be giving a talk prior to the hooding ceremony on May 22.