Our Story
Kenya’s population is increasingly becoming youthful, accounting for approximately 80% of the unemployed population in Kenya, with close to 800,000 entering the job market yearly. This continues to exert pressure on the few job opportunities available in the country leading to a state of hopelessness among youth.
The journey to establish Kivuli began in 2017 against this backdrop of a growing unemployment rate among youth. The organization became legally registered as an NGO by the NGO Council in 2019. With its headquarters in Kisumu County, the organization is currently managed by a board of 5 members with different expertise in academics, technology, research, innovation, communication, marketing and project management.
Meet the Team
Board Members of Kivuli Innovation and Incubation Center
James K. Onyango-Abuje
Board Chairman
James holds a MSc in Information Systems Management from Loyola University Chicago and a BComm, Management Science, degree from the University of Nairobi. For over 20 years he has worked in various academic and research institutions in USA, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya. James has extensive experience in lecturing, supervising and mentoring college and university students in the IT and Business Management fields. Currently he is working as a project manager for a project that intends to recruit 20 research fellows in East Africa. James has an interest in youth empowerment, job creation and poverty eradication. He is also an investor in an agribusiness.
Liza A. Onyango-Abuje
Board Secretary
Liza holds a MSc in Marketing Communication from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois and a BA degree in Communication with a minor in community development from Daystar University. She has 10 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation, communication and project management, having served in a health NGO from 2007 to 2017. Currently, she manages a couple of businesses in Muhoroni Sub-county, creating employment and inspiring youth to run their own businesses. Liza is glad to be the vice-chair of the BOM of a local secondary school where they aspire to build a strong future for the youth by ensuring that they excel in their academics.
Vintolin Oguta
Treasurer
Vintolin is a seasoned Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in Financial Management. He holds an MBA from the University of Nairobi and a BComm, Management Science from the University of Nairobi. He is also a qualified Accountant – CPA (K). Vintolin is a farmer, business man and steers a couple of investment groups. He currently works as a Finance Manager in an NGO in Nyanza in the areas of health, education and community development.
Prof. Bernard Muok
Board Member
Prof Muok holds a PhD degree in Tropical Agriculture from Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. He has a post-doc in Climate Change and Renewable Energy from the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and both Master and Bachelor degrees in Forestry from Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. Besides, Prof Muok holds International Diploma in Conservation from Kew Botanical Garden, United Kingdom, and Certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit from Jomo Kenyatta University Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Prof Muok is currently the Director, Directorate of Research, Innovation and Partnerships and a Professor of Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya. Prof Muok has worked for over 30 years in natural resources management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, renewable energy, low carbon technology innovation and public policy in Africa and South-East Asia. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, book and book chapters as well as policy briefs.
Vanessa Amondi Omolo
Board Member
Vanessa holds a BSc degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Her expertise is in Telecommunication Systems, Network Monitoring and Analysis. She has worked in various organizations in Nairobi as a Network Operations Officer and is currently enrolled at the United States International University – Africa where she is pursuing a master’s in information systems and Technology.