ActionAid International Kenya
Leadership
Board of Directors
Samuel Muga
Chairperson
Samuel Muga is a seasoned advocate of the High Court of Kenya, specializing in commercial litigation, legal drafting, international arbitration, and conveyance. With over 15 years of experience, he represents a wide array of clients, including Government Corporations, Multinational Companies, private firms, and high-profile individuals. Known for his leadership, teamwork, and energetic approach, Samuel efficiently addresses the legal needs of his diverse clientele.
He holds a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a Master of Law Degree from the same university. Samuel is associated with Muga & Muga Associates Advocates, his law firm.
Samuel Muga
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.
Samuel Muga
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
Birthe Pedersen
AAI Representative
As a Danish citizen residing in France for over 30 years, Birthe is a seasoned journalist currently serving as the French correspondent and international reporter for Kristeligt Dagblad, a Danish daily. She holds a degree in journalism from The Danish School of Journalism and in international politics from SciencesPo Lyon.
In addition to her journalistic endeavors, she has been actively involved in advocating for global social justice for several decades. Notably, she chaired ActionAid France from 2017 to 2019, demonstrating her commitment to advancing causes such as gender equality and climate justice. She believes that these issues are vital in ensuring a sustainable and equitable world for both present and future generations.
Emmah Ndirangu
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.
Birthe Pedersen
Paul Kurgat
Dr. Dan Adino
Member
Dr. Adino is a dedicated researcher with a focus on social safeguards and gender issues. He has been extensively involved in various aspects of social safeguards implementation, gender mainstreaming, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluation across more than 50 large infrastructure development projects in Kenya and the wider African region, particularly in the Water, Roads, and housing sectors.
His recent research endeavors include evaluating frameworks such as the Indigenous People Planning Framework and Indigenous People Plan for the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Improvement Project, conducting gender assessments for UNICEF/WFP in the social protection sector in Kenya, and developing gender-sensitive strategies for food and nutrition security in coastal counties for FAO.
Dr. Adino holds a Ph.D. in Development Anthropology from the University of Nairobi and has pursued further studies in project management and public participation, obtaining certificates from institutions such as the Kenya Institute of Management and Hokkaido University of Japan. He also holds an international certificate in Improved Land Management and Rehabilitation from The Administrative Staff College of India.
With over 15 years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Adino currently teaches and conducts research at Pwani University in Kenya while also supporting research efforts at the Center for Land Acquisition and Resettlement Studies (CELARS) of the University of Nairobi in collaboration with the World Bank.
Paul Kurgat
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. Dan Adino
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.
Abraham Kisang
Feddis Mbura
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.
Feddis Mbura
Kennedy Githinji
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
Lonah Chepkwony
Lonah Chepkwony
Finance and Operations Lead
Lonah Chepkwony is a seasoned leader in finance and operations, bringing over a decade of expertise to her role as ActionAid Kenya’s Finance and Operations Lead. With a strong foundation in Finance & Accounting, Lonah has cultivated a passion for product development, risk management, and sustainability initiatives within organizations.
As a staunch advocate of feminist leadership principles, Lonah actively champions diversity, inclusion, and the protection of women and children. She holds a Bachelor of Business and Management with a specialization in Accounting from Kenya, as well as an MSc in Finance, Accounting, and Management from the University of Bristol, UK. Additionally, Lonah is a Certified Public Accountant in Kenya (CPA(K)) and a proud member of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE).
Susan Otieno
Joshua Ndunda
Joshua Ndunda
Human Resource and Organization Development Lead
With over 21 years of extensive experience, Joshua is a seasoned Human Resource Generalist, specializing in the humanitarian sector for 13 years. Throughout his career, he has held senior management roles for 6 years, leading the HR function within diverse environments. His expertise spans various industries including humanitarian, manufacturing, and the service sector, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of workforce dynamics.
As a strategic leader, he has successfully managed large and diverse teams, including remotely overseeing HR staff across different locations.
Lonah Chepkwony
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.
Joshua Ndunda
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