Board of Directors

Mr Zachary Mwangi, EBS is the Alternate Director to the Principal Secretary, State Department for Planning in the KIPPRA Board. He is an Economist and Head of Macro Economic Planning Division, State Department of Planning.

He holds a M.A. in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University, Uganda and has over 25 years of experience in his field. He has been involved in the coordination of various publications such as Socio-Economic Atlas of Kenya- Depicting the National Population Census by County and Sub Location, 2014, 2019 Population and Housing Census Reports, Various Annual Economic Survey Reports, Various Annual Statistical abstract Reports, among others

PROF. BEN SIHANYA

Board Chairperson

Prof. Ben Sihanya, JSD (PhD) (Stanford) is an Intellectual Property (IP) and Constitutional Law Professor at the University of Nairobi Law School. He has been an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya for 27 years and mentor, being the founder CEO of Prof Ben Sihanya Advocates (PBSA) and Sihanya Mentoring. He possesses knowledge, experience and interests in constitutional democracy, electoral justice and political law spanning at least 33 years. In addition to researching in these fields, Prof. Sihanya has litigated and advised on numerous constitutional and electoral cases in Kenya and elsewhere.

Prof. Sihanya is the author of various publications and an active practitioner who has helped develop electoral justice, constitutional democracy, and the rule of law through numerous roles in litigation and (public interest) lawyering.

Prof. Sihanya’s research focus includes IP and innovation mainly on Kenyan and African Copyright; Trade Mark; Trade Secret; Technology Transfer and Licensing; Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expression (TCE); Convention on Biological Diversity; EAC/EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); IP regulation; management; interdisciplinary methodology in studying and practicing IP and innovation; and administration in Kenyan and African universities as well as research and development institutions.

Mr. Samuel Gitau has a career spanning 28 years as an economist in the Public Service sector since July 1991. He has served as an economist in the Ministry of Planning and National Development, Ministry of Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs, Office of the Attorney General and Office of President.

In 2016, he joined the National Treasury where he is currently serving as the Senior Deputy Director, Macro and Fiscal Affairs Department.

Additionally, Mr. Gitau has been awarded a MA in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University and from the University of Botswana, a Post Graduate Diploma in Population and Sustainable Development.

Dr. Rose Ngugi is the Executive Director of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) and serves as the Secretary to the Board. She is involved in providing technical guidance and capacity building on policy and strategy formulation to the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders, with the overall aim of contributing to the achievement of national development goals. Before then, she was a Senior Advisor in the Office of Executive Director, Africa Group 1, International Monetary Fund, and Washington D.C. Dr. Ngugi has been a member of Central Bank of Kenya, Monetary Policy Committee and has vast teaching experience in the University of Nairobi, School of Economics. Dr Ngugi has published widely. Her research interests are in public policy, financial sector, investments, reforms and institutional issues. She holds a PhD from Business School Birmingham University, UK specializing in Financial Markets, a Masters and Bachelors degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Fred Simiyu is a committed civil service management professional with over 26 years of experience chronicled with diversity industry experience in the field of nurturing Trade and Industrial entrepreneurship, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives at National, regional and sub-national levels for income generation, employment creation and poverty reduction in the Republic of Kenya.

He has hands on experience and abundant international entrepreneurial exposure gained through study tours of several industrial parks, shopping malls/supermarkets and international exhibitions in over 20 cities across China, India, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and East Africa to internalize their salient success strategies.

Dr Ali is an educationist with extensive experience in educational management, research and curriculum design especially for the pastoralist communities. He has significant experience in documentation (publications) and leadership, ensuring flexible responses which adapt to the needs of people in complex dynamic lifestyles or environments.

He is a PhD holder in Sociology of Education from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India. He has previously served as a member of the Agricultural Industry and Wages Council as well as the Chairman of Educational Standards and Quality Assurance Council, National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya and Community Wildlife Conservancy and Compensation Committee, Marsabit County. He has also served as a lecturer, administrator and counsellor at various teachers’ training colleges and high schools. Dr. Ali has also made various presentations at conferences and in research publications.

Ms. Nkaabu is a communications specialist with eleven (11) years’ experience in the communication sector. Her expertise includes public relations, public speaking, creative writing, media relations, print media content development, personal and organizational branding, community mobilization and advocacy. She has previously served as the Meru County First lady (2013-2017) and as a senior corporate affairs and communications expert at Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (2011- 2015). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Public Relations) and a Diploma of Communications Arts (Print Media) both from Daystar University.

Dr Phoebe Ayugi Josiah was appointed as a Director of the Board of Management of the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) on 21st October 2016. Dr Josiah is a Scientist with specialized training in Biomedical Sciences, Public Health and Epidemiology. She is also a Policy and Technical Advisor, Trainer and Mentor for Science Technology and Innovation..

Dr Josiah received her education at Makerere University Kampala Uganda, where she graduated with BSc (Hons) in Zoology, Botany and Chemistry. She later proceeded to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Imperial College, London; Durham University, UK; and University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where she obtained her MSc and PhD in Medical Parasitology, Entomology, Public Health and Epidemiology. Dr Josiah has been recognized as a Chevening Scholar, following the successful completion of her Doctorate Degree while on Chevening Scholars Fellowship from 1987 to 1991.

Between July 2002 and August 2015, Dr Josiah worked at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) as a Chief Research Officer in various capacities. Her key functions were developing policy guidelines in addressing the conduct of research, research administration including the administration and management of sponsored projects. She was further involved in promoting biomedical research innovations, capacity building, training, skills development, and mentorship of young upcoming scientists. She played a pivotal role while heading the Corporate Affairs and Partnerships Department, in enhancing the corporate image of the Institute and strengthening collaborative research initiatives with partner institutions, donor agencies, the private sector and communities..

Mr Koitamet Olekina

Board Member

Mr Koitamet Olekina (born in 1964) represents the business sector and holds an Executive Master’s in Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Literature from Kenyatta University. He is trained in Corporate Governance and Non-profit Leadership (Florida, USA) and is involved in private consultancy and contracts in the construction industry. In July 2013, he coordinated the preparation of the National Plan of Action for Floods Control and Management. From August 2009, he worked as a logistics and Liaison Consultant for the National Crisis Response Centre and was appointed Deputy Coordinator from 23 March 2010. He has represented Kenya in various IGAD-led processes resulting in production of the regional Hazard Map and Atlas and the Regional Disaster fund. He has previously served in various Boards, including Kenya Tourist Board, Organization for Intercultural Education, Maasai Education Discovery, NGO Council’s Regulatory Committee, Casafare and Pandora Construction Company. He served in various capacities and community and national level towards promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. He has also been a member of the National Pastoralist Development Network and has been involved in the rescue of Maasai girls from forced marriage, and organized sponsorship of their education. He has also worked as an advocate of Early Child Education, Cultural Studies and Rural Development volunteer projects.

Prof. Harrison M. K. Maithya

Board Member

Prof. Harrison M. K. Maithya is a Lecturer and currently a Director at South Eastern Kenya University, Wote Campus. He is also an Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Community Development, South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui with over 27 years of Professional engagement in university teaching, Research, Consultancy and Community service.

Prof. Maithya holds a PhD. in Social Anthropology from the University of London with a specialization in Medical Anthropology and Masters in Anthropology from The University of Nairobi. He has over the years provided consultancy and research services to both National and International Organizations. He is an Independent Director.

Mrs Christine Wanjala

Board Member

Mrs Christine Wanjala is a Lecturer at Kenya College of Accountancy University. She does part time lecturing at Masters Level with the main focus being Corporate Management and Human Resource Management, among others in her capacity as a part time lecturer in Undergraduate level.

She holds an MBA in Project Management and Evaluation from Kenyatta University and has over 10 years of experience in this field in addition to over 20 years of experience in her profession as a Teacher. Mrs. Wanjala is an Independent Director.

Dr. Kevin Ongeti Wangwe

Board Member

Dr. Kevin Ongeti Wangwe is a Medical Professional with over 10years of experience. He is a medical Officer at African International University, Nairobi. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon at Mother and child Hospital Nairobi as well as St Teresa Hospital.

He holds a Master of Medicine in Orthopedic surgery as well as a Master of Science in Anatomy from The University of Nairobi. He has reviewed over 80 peer publications among other presentations made in scientific conferences. Dr. Ongeti is an Independent Director.