Amb. Martin Kimani

Martin Kimani, PhD, EBS, is Kenya’s Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. He leads Kenya's team to the Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. He also serves as President’s Special Envoy for Countering Violent Extremism, and is the immediate past Director of Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Centre. Previously, Martin served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UN in Nairobi, and as Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat). In the past 20 years, he has worked to a senior level in the global currency and bond markets, political risk advisory for underwriters and other corporates, and peace and security in the Horn of Africa and East Africa. Martin was honoured for his service by the President of Kenya with the award of the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear, which is one of the highest commendations a citizen can receive. He is a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, and was Distinguished African Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in 2013. Martin is married to June Arunga Kimani and they have two children. He holds a PhD in War Studies from King’s College London, University of London.