Graduated from Makerere University, Kampala, in 1971 with a BA (First Class Honours) in Political Science and Philosophy before proceeding to the University of Chicago where he received his MA (1974) and PhD (1977) in Political Science. Taught at the University of Nairobi (1977-81), El Colegio de Mexico (1971-84) and Addis Ababa University (1984-86) then joined the African Academy of Sciences as Head of Programs from 1987 to 1992. Having been involved in the struggle against authoritarian rule in Kenya throughout his academic career, he was among the leaders who made a break through into multiple party politics in 1992. He was then elected to Parliament in that year and has served in various capacities since then. He was Minister for Planning and National Development (2003-05) and Minister for Medical Services (2008-2013), and currently Governor of Kisumu County. He has published several books and articles on democracy, democratisation, the state and the political economy of development in Africa. Among the publications are "Popular Struggles for Democracy in Africa", (London: Zed Books, 1987); "The Study of African Politics: A Critical Appreciation of A Heritage" (Nairobi: Ball Foundation, 2002); "A Leap Into the Future" (Nairobi: Word Alive Publishers, 2095). In 1995 he was awarded the German-African Award for his contribution to democracy and democratisation in Africa. He was recently Gro Harlem Brundland Senior Leadership Fellow in the Division of Policy Translation and Leadership Development, the Harvard School of Public Health, from Dec. 2013 to March 2014.