Journalist, Pan-Africanist, and refugee advocate working at the intersection of policy, governance, media, and humanitarianism — building with communities across East Africa, with a broader commitment to the African continent.
I'm a journalist, Pan-Africanist, and refugee advocate with over seven years of experience in the humanitarian sector — advocating for refugee leadership and inclusive governance across East Africa.
My work is rooted in my own experience as a refugee in Kenya. I currently serve as East Africa Regional Lead for R-SEAT, working to institutionalise meaningful refugee participation at the state level.
Africa's collective consciousness — seeing refugees as brothers and sisters — offers one of the strongest pathways to genuine inclusion.
Ishimwe Jean Marie
Selected work across advocacy, media, speaking, and community leadership — a snapshot of what I've built and the spaces I've shaped.
Thinking out loud with communities.
Pan-Africanism was never just a political project. It was always also a moral one. At its heart was a question about what it means to be African not in the narrow, nationalist sense of belonging to a particular state
I became a journalist because I believed in the power of stories to change things. What I did not fully understand at the time what took years of work in the humanitarian sector to teach me
Being invited to a conversation is not the same as having a voice in it. I've been thinking about this distinction a great deal — sitting in rooms that were designed to discuss communities I come from, watching people who have never lived what we live make decisions about how we should live it.
Quick answers to what people most often ask about my work, collaborations, and how to connect.
I work at the intersection of journalism, refugee advocacy, and media strategy. As East Africa Regional Lead for R-SEAT, I work to institutionalise meaningful refugee participation in state-level policy. I also write, moderate, facilitate, and advise organisations on people-centred communication.
Yes. I speak at conferences, summits, and panels on refugee leadership, humanitarian reform, media and advocacy, and inclusive governance. I am based in Nairobi and available both in-person across East Africa and virtually. Get in touch to discuss availability.
Yes — facilitation is one of my core areas of practice. I design and lead spaces that bring together diverse stakeholders, centring the voices of those most affected rather than those with the most institutional power. I specialise in forced displacement, governance, and community-led advocacy.
Work in progress — it will be announced here and across social channels when ready.
Yes, selectively. I work with organisations genuinely committed to shifting power toward communities. I currently advise Inkomoko Kenya and Nawezaa alongside my role at R-SEAT, and I'm open to further advisory relationships where there is alignment on values.
I currently hold a full-time role. I'm open to part-time engagements outside of those hours, provided there is no conflict of interest.
Yes — selectively. I can also connect projects to a trusted network of creatives including videographers, photographers, designers, and media practitioners. Where there is a potential conflict of interest, I'm happy to support through referrals and introductions instead.
Via the Connect page or directly at letstalk@ishimweconnect.com. You can also book a 30-minute conversation on Calendly. I typically respond within 2–3 business days.
