Ronald Elly Wanda is a transdisciplinary scholar and Africa analyst, widely recognized for his deep, cross-sectoral engagement in politics, development, culture, and environmental sustainability across the continent. With an expansive portfolio of national and international experience, Wanda brings a holistic perspective to the complex interplay between climate change, fragile ecosystems, indigenous  knowledge systems, and socio-political transformation in Africa.

Over the past two decades, Wanda has led and contributed to numerous research initiatives that bridge academic inquiry with real-world impact. His work particularly emphasizes restorative cultural practices and the central role of indigenous epistemologies in justice administration, governance, and environmental stewardship. As climate challenges and ecosystem vulnerabilities increasingly affect socio-political structures, Wanda’s scholarship highlights how Africa’s ancestral wisdom can inform sustainable and equitable solutions.

A prolific writer and thought leader, Wanda is a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the United Kingdom, as well as the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) in Nairobi. These affiliations enable him to seamlessly connect research, journalism, and advocacy giving voice to marginalized perspectives and foregrounding cultural heritage in global discourses.

Wanda’s academic journey began in Kakamega, Kenya, and later continued in Stanmore, England. He holds a degree in Politics and International Development Studies from Middlesex University, and a postgraduate qualification in Political Justice and Human Rights from Birkbeck College, University of London. 

His academic credentials also include master’s degrees in Governance and Ethics, and in Political Science and Public Administration from institutions in Nairobi. He is currently completing his PhD in Political Science in South Africa, where his research explores themes of restorative justice in Eastern Africa, Afrikology, climate resilience,
indigenous governance systems, ethics, and cultural regeneration.
Presently, Wanda serves as Senior Research Fellow and Head of Research and Innovation at the Prospect Peace Institute – Africa (PPI), based in Nairobi. 

He is also the founder and Executive Director of Grundtvig Africa House, a community-based research hub dedicated to nurturing cultural heritage, social justice, and inclusive development. His leadership has extended to numerous academic and policy platforms across East Africa, including significant collaborations with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), where he has played a key role in mobilizing resources and coordinating multidisciplinary research
programs.

With his unique integration of political insight, environmental consciousness, and cultural advocacy, Ronald Elly Wanda offers a deeply informed and forward-thinking perspective on Africa’s current challenges and future pathways.  

His voice brings critical value to global media platforms, including BBC commentary on African affairs.