The life and times of Bethuel Kiplagat

Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat died on Friday, July 14, 2017 at the Nairobi Hospital after a long illness.

He was born on November 28, 1936 in Kenya and was the former chairman of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation commission (TJRC).

He founded the Africa Peace Forum, where he served as the Executive Director until his death.

He was also an independent consultant on peace and conflict resolution, Kenya’s special Envoy in the Somali Peace Process and the Chairman of the IGAD Technical Committee on Somali National Reconciliation Conference.

Until his death, he was engaged in activities aimed at encouraging community-based peace process in Eastern Africa.

Bethuel Kiplagat Education Background

He studied Physical Science at Makerere University

He also did Sociology of Religion at Sorbomme University.

Bethuel Kiplagat Job History

2009-2010: Chairman of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation commission (TJRC)

Director of Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Programme of the Sudan Council of Churches in Southern Sudan

He also served on a panel established by the International Peace Academy and the OAU to examine the institutional relationship between the OAU and the civil society.

1997: Member of Election Monitoring Committee of the National Council of Churches of Kenya

1991-2003: Chairman African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF)

1988-1992: Engaged warring parties in Ethiopia

1988-1992: Facilitated peace talks in Mozambique

Since 1985: He was a resource person to the IGAD Peace process for Sudan and was advising Sudanese civil society on conflict resolution.

1985-1986: Facilitated peace talks in Uganda

1983 -1991: Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

1981-1983: Kenya’s Ambassador to United Kingdom

1978-1981: Kenya’s Ambassador to France

1971-1978: Deputy Secretary with the National Christian Council of Churches of Kenya

Bethuel Kiplagat Membership

Chairman Kenya Rural Enterprise Programme and Operation Save Innocent Lives

Member of the Nairobi Stock Exchange

Executive Director of the Universal Bank of Kenya

Courtesy: Softkenya