Overview

My Safari through Life: Extracts tracks the author's humble beginnings in rural Kenya to the career of an international civil servant and diplomat. He recalls the problems of his formative years in a large family with scant resources, amidst optimism and social expectations. He singles out parental guidance and discipline as invaluable ingredients of success in those circumstances. A university education and a civil service job expose him to a new world and international opportunities and outlook. Dr. Kakonge, as an international civil servant, learns that success depends not just on qualifications, but also on informal networks and trust that one nurtures. He demonstrates that the UN system is like any other large organization with its own flaws and distinctions, and that programmes which work in one place may not necessarily work in another. In the end, he concludes that life is a zigzag safari (Kiswahili word for 'journey') punctuated by point-to-point non-linear travels that lead to places that one may not have anticipated or intended. In the process, one may experience mystery, excitement, satisfaction, frustration, grief and/or happiness and which, he hopes, benefits those whose paths one crosses.

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9789914760378

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Reviews

""This is a compelling read, full of adventures and practical lessons. Truly, Dr. Kakonge's life safari is remarkable."" - H.E. Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. ""I found the stories in the book clear, succinct, interesting, practical, inspiring, and full of humour."" - Dr. Shekou M. Sesay, Former Minister of Presidential Affairs, Republic of Sierra Leone. ""John Kakonge has spent his whole career on the front lines of the effort to promote sustainable development. He was one of the first people to really explain to me how a lot of things worked ...and didn't work. There's a lot to learn from this book."" - Edward Norton, Filmmaker and UN Ambassador for Biodiversity. ""Dr. Kakonge takes us on a personal journey that is rich and significant. The narrative of his movement from Kenya to educational institutions of high standing abroad and to senior management in the UN system is inspiring, passionate, and enjoyable. A great read."" - Professor Mbye Cham, Chairman, Department of African Studies, Howard University. ""John Kakonge's perspective on the developing African continent is up close and extremely personal. As a United Nations development officer for many years, working in the small villages and large cities of post-colonial Africa, he writes of his safari (journey in Swahili) with insight, grace, and considerable optimism."" - Professor Lonnie Isabel, Director of the International Reporting Program, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. Dr. John O. Kakonge's book, My Safari through Life: Extracts, is not only a candid revelation of a distinguished career but a frank exposé into the complexities that surround the trails of success. I commend Dr. Kakonge, not only for an outstanding career that has left him inerasable ""footprints in the sand,"" but also for the inspiration his book provides for our young people who could otherwise be derailed from their pursuit of excellence and relevance."" - Dr. Emmet Denis, President of the University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia.

Author Information

Ambassador Dr. John O. Kakonge, Ph.D., is a seasoned diplomat, scholar, and international civil servant with more than four decades of distinguished service in diplomacy, sustainable development, and international affairs. He has served as Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, as well as being UN Resident Coordinator in many countries, including The Gambia, Liberia, Lesotho, and Rwanda. Before that, he was an Associate Director of the South-South Cooperation Unit at the UNDP in New York.Presently, Amb. Kakonge is a member of the University of Nairobi Council, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping governance and policy direction and advancing the university's strategic vision as a leading institution of higher learning. In addition, Dr. Kakonge serves as a member of the Panel of Eminent Persons for the County Peer Review Mechanism in Kenya, is a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders, and is the Honorary Consul of The Gambia in Kenya. As well, he is the President of the Association of Former International Civil Servants in Kenya.Amb. Kakonge is a prolific author who has published widely on subjects of sustainable development, climatechange, governance, environmental impact assessment, and South-South cooperation. He has contributed opinion pieces to leading Kenyan newspapers, bringing global insights to local and regional issues.Dr. Kakonge is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia Medal and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Howard University.Dr. Kakonge holds a Ph.D. in African Studies from Howard University, an M.Phil. in Land Economy from CambridgeUniversity, and a B.Ed. in Geography from the University of Nairobi. He was a fellow at Oxford University and a research scholar and fellow at Yale University in the USA.Through his leadership, scholarship, and diplomacy, Amb. Kakonge continues to champion sustainable development, peace, and international cooperation.

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