We have been deeply saddened to learn of the death on 31 May 2023 of Dr. Agnes Abuom.

Dr. Abuom was a member of Interpeace’s global Governing Board since December 2019. Prior to that, from 2014 to 2019, she was a member of Interpeace’s affiliated Board for Eastern and Central Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Born in Nandi Hills, northwest Kenya, in 1949, with family members who were Protestant, Catholic, Anglican, and Pentecostal, Agnes was committed throughout her life to ecumenism, economic justice, peace and reconciliation. She was President and subsequently the first woman Moderator of the World Council of Church’s Central Committee.

During the 1970s, Dr. Abuom studied in Sweden and was awarded a doctorate for her studies on the role of NGOs in development before she began working on refugee issues in Sudan. From 1989, after having been imprisoned for criticising the government, Dr. Abuom ran programmes on development and civic governance for the Anglican Church of Kenya. In 1997, she founded TAABCO, a research and development consultancy.

In Kenya and internationally, she championed cooperation and unity across religions, economic and gender justice for women, and peace.

“Agnes inspired a generation of peacebuilding by Interpeace, through her enthusiastic encouragement of our work and her wisdom and insightful advice,” said Simon Gimson, Acting President of Interpeace. “Her commitment to peacebuilding values, in word and deed, was always thoughtful and inclusive. Agnes was a powerful advocate for the voices of the voiceless in communities, and an enthusiastic supporter of practical peacebuilding action. Agnes is deeply missed and will always be remembered with warmth, affection and enduring appreciation by Interpeace.”

From everyone at Interpeace, we send our condolences to Agnes’ family, friends and colleagues across her many walks of life.