Peter Abande

Chairperson

Mr. Peter Abande is an outstanding volunteer and professional with a distinguished career spanning over 15 years, marked by excellence in governance, compliance, and strategic leadership. He has served on the pension scheme board and chaired an investment SACCO Board, demonstrating his experience in governing organizations.

Professionally, Mr. Abande is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a seasoned Governance and Compliance practitioner with over 13 years of experience. He is interested in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and has significantly contributed to advancing social justice, particularly in championing women’s rights in the workplace. He is also a Governance and Leadership trainer and an expert in Board Evaluation.

Mr. Abande joined ActionAid in 2018 as a General Assembly member and later joined the board in 2019, where he also chaired the Audit, Finance, Risk, and Compliance Committee. Globally, his leadership was recognized when he was elected as the ActionAid International General Assembly Convener for the 2024 Assembly, where he successfully managed the global assembly with exceptional success.

As Chairman, Mr. Abande is deeply committed to empowering people living in poverty and exclusion. He believes in eradicating poverty and injustice through effective oversight by the board and the General Assembly through effective governance and impactful oversight.

Peter Abande

Dolphine Opembe

Dolphine Opembe

Vice Chairperson

Dolphine Opembe Wemali is an accomplished program manager and governance expert with over 20 years of experience spanning the development and private sectors. She has led impactful programs that promote gender equality, social justice, and inclusive governance, working with organizations such as Compassion International Kenya and the Coalition for Peace and Gender Champions Kenya. Beyond the nonprofit space, she has served as a director at a real estate firm since 2016, bringing a strong blend of strategic leadership and private sector insight to her work.

Dolphine has held prominent governance roles, including serving on the Board of ActionAid International Kenya (2019–2023), where she chaired the Governance and Board Development Committee and was elected Vice Chairperson in 2025. She also served on the Board of ActionAid International Uganda and contributed to global governance as a member of the 2022 ActionAid International Assembly Organising Committee. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi and is certified in Sustainable Finance (University of Cambridge) and Corporate Governance. Dolphine is known for her strategic vision, commitment to equity, and principled, value-driven leadership.

Peter Abande

Samson Orao

Samson Orao

Interim Executive Director/Secretary

Samson Okech Orao is a seasoned development professional with over seventeen years of extensive experience, particularly focusing on women and young people. His expertise spans across various domains including program management, advocacy and policy influencing, governance, women’s rights, livelihoods, humanitarian support, education, climate justice, economic justice, HIV/AIDS, and sexual reproductive health. Currently serving as the Head of Programs at ActionAid International Kenya, Samson has held diverse positions within the development sector.

He has a profound understanding of gender and women’s empowerment, actively engaging in advocacy and campaign-building initiatives. Samson possesses exceptional program and people management skills, collaborating with communities to foster resilient livelihoods and uphold their rights for a humane, just, and equitable society. He demonstrates extensive technical proficiency in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), encompassing system design and strengthening, performance measurement, report writing, data collection and analysis, financial reporting, grant management, grant writing, and capacity building of partners.

Moreover, Samson has a proven track record of establishing networks and cultivating partnerships, showcasing excellent stakeholder management skills. He adopts a Human Rights Based Approach in his programming, reflecting his deep-rooted passion for fostering a just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity for growth.

Dolphine Opembe

Everlyne Goro

Everlyne Goro

Treasurer

Ms. Everlyne Owuor Goro is a highly qualified audit professional currently serving as the Head of the Internal Audit Division at the Universities Fund. She holds a Master of Science in Commerce with a specialization in Finance and Accounting from KCA University, along with a Bachelor of Economics degree from Kenyatta University.

Ms. Goro is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and is affiliated with prestigious professional organizations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). With seven years of experience in both internal and external audits, Ms. Goro has demonstrated her expertise and leadership skills.

She began her career as an Audit Assistant at MGK Consulting before spending three years at Mbaya and Associates in a similar role. Through her dedication and hard work, she advanced to the position of Audit Manager at Mbaya and Associates for two years before assuming her current role at the Universities Fund.

Samson Orao

Dr. Jackson W. Ngure

Dr. Jackson W. Ngure

Member

Dr. Wanjau possesses an impressive array of academic and professional qualifications. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from Kenyatta University, a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management from the University of Nairobi, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Strategic Management, also from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Studies and Economics from Kenyatta University, along with a Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Human Resources Management in Kenya.

Recently, Dr. Wanjau completed a Bachelor of Laws degree specializing in Environmental and Energy law from the University of Nairobi, set to graduate in December 2023. He has also undergone training in various areas including Strategic Management in Inclusive Finance, Cooperative Movement, Project Management, Total Quality Management, Financial Management, Marketing of Services, Customer Care, Delinquency Management, Business Appraisal, Credit Management, Research Methods, Public Relations, and Liaison.

With 23 years of experience, Dr. Wanjau has developed expertise in university teaching, human capital management, institutional dynamics, credit operations, cooperative movement, marketing of services, communication, Total Quality Management, and consultancy in strategic, governance, and human capital management.

Everlyne Goro

Abraham Kisang

Abraham Kisang

Member

Abraham is a seasoned policy and governance expert with over 15 years of experience across various sectors including public, NGO, and private. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Sun Yat-Sen University, China, a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Management from Kenyatta University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Sociology from the University of Nairobi. Additionally, he possesses a diploma in Social Work, Project Planning, and Community Development.

Abraham’s career journey includes roles at Demarg Africa, Kerio Development Assistance, and the Media Council of Kenya, where he currently oversees Research and Media Monitoring. He has also served on boards and committees such as St Peter’s Kapkata High School, the Public Relations Society of Kenya, and ActionAid International, Kenya. Abraham is dedicated to fostering developer communities to create innovative solutions for government collaboration.

He is an active contributor to local newspapers and magazines and has published research in international journals. Abraham is a member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya and an Associate Member of the Kenya Institute of Management.

Dr. Jackson W. Ngure

Hannah Warutere

Hannah Warutere

Member

Hannah Warutere is a development professional with over a decade of experience in economic inclusion, youth empowerment, and strategic partnerships. She specializes in disability-inclusive and gender-equity programming, with a strong track record in designing and implementing market-driven vocational training and livelihood initiatives. Her work spans project management, monitoring and evaluation, and advocacy, with proven success in creating employment opportunities for marginalized groups, including women and persons with disabilities.

Hannah has led impactful programs with organizations such as Integration Consulting Group, DanChurchAid, Danish Refugee Council, and StreetChild. She excels in aligning development initiatives with labor market needs, driving post-training employment outcomes, and enhancing inclusive participation. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts) and is currently pursuing master’s degrees in development studies and educational leadership. Known for combining grassroots mobilization with strategic leadership, Hannah is committed to delivering sustainable, inclusive change.

Abraham Kisang

Mary Mungai

Mary Mungai

Member

Mary Mungai is an experienced finance professional with over 14 years of experience in financial management, grant administration, and oversight, particularly within donor-funded programs. She currently serves as the Senior Finance Manager at Shujaaz Inc where she leads on financial operations, budgeting, compliance, and internal controls for globally funded initiatives.

Mary brings extensive expertise in managing high-impact programs funded by major donors ,ensuring financial accountability and strategic resource allocation. Her strong background in financial reporting, and risk management makes her an asset in governance roles.

In the board, she leverages her financial acumen to strengthen governance, promote transparency, and drive sustainable impact in the organization’s mission to advance social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication.

Mary is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nairobi. She is currently pursuing a managerial finance certification from The London School of Economics. She is passionate about financial stewardship, capacity building, and fostering inclusive development.

Hannah Warutere

Zak Syengo

Zak Syengo

Member

Zak Syengo is an accomplished professional with over 16 years of extensive experience in marketing and communication, strategy, and business development, primarily within the microfinance industry. He has demonstrated a strong commitment to driving socio-economic development through his work in diverse international markets, particularly in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Syengo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from Maseno University, an MBA from Strathmore Business School, and a Pan African Executive MBA from IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, he has earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Agribusiness from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and the MASHAV Carmel Training Centre, Israel. He is currently a PhD finalist in Entrepreneurship at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), focusing on innovative business models in microfinance.

In his consulting capacity, Syengo partners with HOPE International, where he provides expert advice on marketing strategy for microfinance institutions across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe. His passion lies in creating sustainable opportunities for youth and women, fostering socio-economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.

With a unique blend of academic credentials, international consulting experience, and a deep commitment to social impact, Zacchaeus Syengo continues to be a leading advocate for inclusive economic development.

Mary Mungai

Dr Odhiambo James Oduke

Dr Odhiambo James Oduke

Member

Dr. Odhiambo James Oduke is a board member of ActionAid International Kenya (AAIK). He was appointed to the AAIK General Assembly in 2016. Currently, he is a lecturer at Maseno University. He is a lecturer of French as a foreign language and performing arts. He is also a simultaneous French-English interpreter. He has the following academic qualifications: A doctorate in Language Education, two master’s degrees in French majoring in general linguistic research and francophone studies, Bachelor of Arts in language sciences majoring in French as a foreign language from the University of Rouen, France. He also has a Diploma in Education from the now-defunct Siriba Teachers College and a master’s in international policy and diplomacy (Staffordshire University, Great Britain). He is also an alumnus of the Salzburg Global Seminar on Youth Issues (session 366 Urban Youth). His major academic writings on Education and Diplomacy have been published by Anchor Academic Publishing in Germany. He has also co-authored fourteen French teaching course books for secondary schools. These course books have been approved and are being used to teach French as a foreign language in Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. He is a national adjudicator in the Schools Drama and Film Festival in Kenya. He is also a rapporteur for the Kenya Music Festival. Apart from being a linguist and an educationist, he is also an avid creative artist.

Zak Syengo

Dr Odhiambo James Oduke