ActionAid International Kenya
Leadership
Board of Directors
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
Roselyn Ngeny
Roselyn Ngeny
Vice Chairperson
Roselyn Ngeny is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in both the private sector and government agencies, specializing in management and administration. She is dedicated to promoting good governance, accountability, and quality service delivery, which has led to her advancement to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Additionally, she currently serves as the board chairperson of Kericho Water and Sanitation Company and actively participates in various community initiatives at the county level. Roselyn is also a member of the quality assurance and compliance committee, showcasing her commitment to ensuring high standards in her endeavors.
Peter Abande
Susan Otieno
Susan Otieno
Executive Director/Secretary
Susan Otieno is an accomplished leader with extensive experience spanning over 22 years, primarily within the development sector. Presently, she serves as the Executive Director at ActionAid International Kenya, having previously held a similar role at ActionAid Somaliland from 2017 to 2018. Susan’s professional background includes three years in the corporate sector and significant roles such as Global Assurance Lead at ActionAid International, where she ensured adherence to organizational policies.
In her prior position as Head of Fundraising at ActionAid, Susan excelled in mobilizing resources to support marginalized women, emphasizing issues like violence prevention, economic empowerment, and political participation. She is deeply committed to feminist leadership ideals, promoting values of care, inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration.
Additionally, Susan has contributed her expertise as a board member to various organizations and currently serves on the board of the Core Humanitarian Standards Alliance, advocating for accountability in humanitarian endeavors.
Roselyn Ngeny
Emmah Ndirangu
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.
Emmah Ndirangu
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
Kennedy Githinji
Kennedy Githinji
Member
Kennedy Githinji is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in commerce with a specialization in accounting from Kenya University. Additionally, Kennedy holds a Diploma in project management from the Kenya Institute of Management and a UNATRAC Business Management Diploma. He is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and a Certified Credit Professional (CCP-II).
Currently, Kennedy serves as the Finance Manager of projects at Maydam Ventures Kenya, where he applies his extensive expertise in financial management and project finance.
Abraham Kisang
Evelyne Goro
Evelyne Goro
Member
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.
Kennedy Githinji
Mary Mungai
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
Senior Management
Susan Otieno
Executive Director
Susan Otieno is an accomplished leader with extensive experience spanning over 22 years, primarily within the development sector. Presently, she serves as the Executive Director at ActionAid International Kenya, having previously held a similar role at ActionAid Somaliland from 2017 to 2018. Susan’s professional background includes three years in the corporate sector and significant roles such as Global Assurance Lead at ActionAid International, where she ensured adherence to organizational policies.
In her prior position as Head of Fundraising at ActionAid, Susan excelled in mobilizing resources to support marginalized women, emphasizing issues like violence prevention, economic empowerment, and political participation. She is deeply committed to feminist leadership ideals, promoting values of care, inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration.
Additionally, Susan has contributed her expertise as a board member to various organizations and currently serves on the board of the Core Humanitarian Standards Alliance, advocating for accountability in humanitarian endeavors.
Susan Otieno
Samson Orao
Samson Orao
Programmes and Strategy Lead
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.
Susan Otieno
Samuel Nyutu
Samuel Nyutu
Fundraising and Institutional Partnership Development Lead
Samuel is a seasoned Development Practitioner with a robust skill set in program management and fundraising. With over 10 years of experience, he has collaborated with both national and international NGOs, overseeing and fundraising for extensive projects backed by bilateral organizations like USAID, DFID, UKAID, EU, Comic Relief, and Bread for the World.
Samuel excels in establishing and nurturing partnerships for program implementation and resource mobilization. Moreover, he has been instrumental in enhancing the capacities of grassroots, local, and national-level organizations.
Samson Orao
Samuel Nyutu