Dr. Thomas Kibua, Economist & Public Policy Expert

Dr. Thomas Kibua is a renowned expert in development economics, governance and management (including public finance management and institution building). He has consulted for and worked with government, private sector, non-governmental organizations and international organizations working in economic management. Dr. Kibua was the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya from 1993– 2001 and Executive Director of the Institute for Policy Analysis and Research 2003-2008.

Dr. Kibua has published extensively on public policy and public finance issues and lectures both at University of Nairobi and Strathmore University. Dr. Kibua has a PhD in Economics (University of Nairobi), M.A. in Economics (Yale University), M.A Economics (University of Nairobi) and a B.A. Economics (University of Nairobi). Currently he serves as a member of the Kenya Markets Authority (KMA). He is the Director in charge of Academic Programmes in the Institute of Public Policy and Governance (SIPPG).

Dr. Mumbi Maria Wachira, Sustainability Expert

Dr. Mumbi Maria Wachira is a full-time accounting lecturer at Strathmore University Business School.Her research focuses on the intersections between accounting practice, society, and the environment. Her work has been presented in several accounting conferences, such as; the American Accounting Association (AAA), European Accounting Association (EAA), and the African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) forums.

She has also published articles in internationally recognized and peer-reviewed journals on the status quo of sustainability and environmental reporting among select countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Degree from Strathmore University, a Master of Commerce (MCom) Degree, also from the same University, and a Ph.D. from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Dr. Alice N. Karuri, Sustainability Expert

Dr. Karuri is a Development Researcher and Practitioner. She is a Research Fellow in the Strathmore Institute of Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) and a lecturer in Development Studies at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Strathmore University, Kenya.

She is a 2020 AfOx (Africa-Oxford) Trade Fellow and a researcher on ‘Sustainable Food’ with the Interdisciplinary Center for Conservation Science (ICCS), University of Oxford. She has a PhD in Development Studies from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya, MA in International Affairs with a concentration in Development from George Washington University, USA, and a BA in Economics with a minor in Political Science from Morgan State University, USA.

She is an expert on public policy and governance with a focus on Africa and has acted as the  Stakeholder Engagement Lead in policy development. Her research focus is on the political economy of sustainable agricultural production and trade,  farmer empowerment and integration into global commodity chains.

Research collaborations include a project with the University of Oxford on ‘Enabling Farmers in Kenya Reduce their Environmental Impacts.’ Her most recent publication is a book chapter, ‘Adaptation of Small-Scale Tea and Coffee Farmers in Kenya to Climate Change’ in the African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation.

Dr. Caroline Saroni, Trade  Expert

Dr Caroline is an Advocate, Commissioner for Oaths, and Notary Public. She has worked in various positions at Kenyatta University School of Law – Lecturer, Executive Chairperson – Advocates Complaints Commission, Board Member Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Tobacco Control Technical Legal Expert WHO-Regional Office for Africa.

She has done individual consultancies and research work: Africa Alliance of YMCAs, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Forum for African Women Educationists (FAWE). Dr Caroline has done various publications, cementing her as an authentic leader and legal expert.

She holds a PhD in International Trade and Investment Law in Africa – University of Cologne, Germany (2017-2023), Masters of Laws (LL.M) in International Trade and Investment Law in Africa – University of Western Cape, South Africa (2008-2009).

Abdirizak Musa, Trade Expert

Mr. Musa holds a Master’s Degree in Development Finance from the University of London, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi and certificate in international economic law from the University of Geneva.

He has been consulting for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) since March 2022 on the introduction of the UNCTAD Productive Capacities Index (PCI) Methodology in diagnosing Kenya’s development trajectory typified by reverse structural transformation.

Under this UNCTAD consultancy, he coordinated the launching of the Kenya Holistic Productive Capacities Development program through an inclusive multi-stakeholder consultative process.

As Minister Counselor in charge of Trade and Investment at the Kenya Embassy in Washington D.C. between January 2016 and December 2020, Mr. Musa provided advisory services to the US-Kenya Trade & Investment Working Group (TWIG) established by HE President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Donald Trump at the US-Kenya August 2018 Summit with services being a major subject of engagement; As Counsellor at the African Union Mission in Geneva between 2002 and 2005 coordinated the African Group in the WTO. These included preparations of the African Group position papers in the WTO Services negotiations.

John Kinuthia, Public Finance Expert

John is a Senior Programme Officer at Bajeti Hub where he leads the programmes work. Central to his role is to lead Bajeti hub’s public finance research and analytical work at the national and county level in Kenya. Therefore, he is part of the team that works to promote budget transparency and improve public engagement on how the government raises and spends public resources. John Kinuthia is a Public Finance and Decentralization specialist, with experience working in the NGO and public services sectors.

He has expertise in local governance, fiscal decentralization, public policy analysis, leadership, monitoring and evaluation, revenue allocation, capacity building, and public debt management. Has an ability to provide advice on strategies and plans affecting public finance policies, equitable development, and review of guidelines pertaining to national and sub-national governments with a focus on planning, financial management and reporting.

He has a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management, Kenya Methodist University, Bachelor of Science in Control and Instrumentation (Physics), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Certificate in Decentralization and Local Governance, SOAS University of London.

Dr. Job Mwaura, Adjunct Research Fellow, Strathmore University

Dr. Job Mwaura is an Adjunct Research Fellow at Strathmore University, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, and Affiliate Faculty at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Studies at George Mason University. He is currently engaged in the European Research Council (ERC)-funded SMALLPLATFORMS project, which examines digital platforms and civic engagement in Africa.

Dr. Mwaura holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and an MSc in Communication and Journalism from Moi University (Kenya). His interdisciplinary research focuses on digital media in Africa, AI ethics, data justice, media and politics, and technology-driven activism. He is especially interested in how emerging technologies shape public discourse, social movements, and political participation on the continent.

He has previously held research and teaching positions at the University of Cape Town’s Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA), Stellenbosch University’s Department of Journalism, and the Wits Centre for Journalism. He was also a researcher on the ERC-funded DIRTPOL project at the University of Sussex.

Dr. Mwaura is a recipient of several prestigious fellowships and grants, including the Social Science Research Council’s (SSRC) APN Individual Research Fellowship, the Mellon-SAR Fellowship at New York University, the Africa No Filter–Meta Immersive Technology Fellowship, and support from the Omidyar Network and British Institute in Eastern Africa.

His scholarly work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and policy briefs. He also contributes to international academic networks, serving two terms on the Executive Committee of the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR). He is affiliated with the African Studies Centre at Leiden University and the Center for Critical Race and Digital Studies (CR+DS) at New York University.

Dr. Maureen Syallow, Researcher and Expert in Media, Migration, Security, and Gender Studies

Dr. Anne Maureen Syallow is a distinguished academic researcher and lecturer at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Strathmore University. Her areas of expertise encompass the intersection between media and migration, media and security, and gender issues.

With extensive experience in teaching, research, and training, Dr. Syallow has made significant contributions to the fields of migration, security, and gender inclusion. She has worked on numerous impactful projects, including collaborations with GIZ on media and conflict, Strathmore Business School (SBS) on gender equity, and Strathmore Law School on refugee law.

Dr. Syallow has published extensively on the intersection of media, migration, security, and gender issues. She has presented her research at several conferences both locally and internationally, including the annual conferences held by the International Relations Society of Kenya.She has been instrumental in curriculum development, including the Master of International Relations program at the school, and various specialized training curricula.

Dr. Syallow holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Literature) from Maseno University, a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, and a PhD in Media and Conflict from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.