BOMA field officers in Samburu County, Kenya
OUR TEAM
Our Team in Kenya
Nanyuki Office
Ahmed “Kura” Omar
Co-Founder and Special Advisor
Kura's BIO
Co-Founder and Special Advisor.
Kura has ten years of experience in sustainable development in the arid lands, with a Diploma in Community Development and Project Management and an ongoing Bachelors of Development Studies at the Management University of Africa. He served as a representative of Honorable Joseph Lekuton at Kenya’s National Assembly. Until September 2018, in his role as Country Director, Kura was responsible for developing and implementing all elements of the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) and overseeing the work of the field team. He currently serves as Special Advisor to our Field and Management teams.
Mbithi Munyoki
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Mbithi conducts in-depth analysis of program data to identify trends or areas for potential course corrections, and presents findings to our team and partners. He comes to us from Innovations for Poverty Action, Kenya where he was Senior Field Officer. He holds a Diploma in Human Resource Management from Kenya Institute of Management and a BA in Social Sciences from Makerere University.
Paul Bolo
Data Analyst
Paul joins BOMA as a Data Analyst based in the Nanyuki office. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Statistics with Computing from the University of Eldoret and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Applied Statistics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Prior to joining BOMA, Paul worked for Kantar Millward Brown as a Data Analyst and as Research Associate where he was in charge of planning, implementing and analyzing research studies across Sub-Sahara Africa. He was also a support lead for data visualization partners including Infotools Limited and a key contact on analytics tasks. Paul is happy to apply his research experience, analytics and software skills to optimize BOMAs data acquisition, analytics and reporting needs.
Noreen Gitonga
Administrative Assistant
Noreen's BIO
Administrative Assistant
Noreen joins BOMA as a proactive and highly skilled Administrative Assistant with 5 years of hands-on experience working in diverse office environments. She is a demonstrated team player who works collaboratively and communicates effectively with all levels of staff. Noreen holds a diploma in Human Resource Management from the Kenya Institute of Professional Studies.
Dorcas Ekelale
Program Officer
Dorcas's Bio
Program Officer
Dorcas is our new Program Officer based in our Nanyuki headquarters. She comes to us from Mercy Corps and has extensive experience in the humanitarian space.
Urvi Kalra
2018-2019 Princeton in Africa Communications Fellow
Urvi's Bio
2018-2019 Princeton in Africa Communications Fellow
Helena Dalton
East Africa Regional Director
Helena's BIO
East Africa Regional Director
Helena has worked in international development for over 25 years, holding positions in various organizations, including AMREF, Oxfam, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Mercy Corps, AED, the Commonwealth Foundation, CRS, in Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Thailand, Iraq, the Republic of Georgia and the UK. As the Country Director for IRC in Thailand, Ms. Dalton led the closure of IRC resettlement and repatriation programs; she was also instrumental in setting up the IRC Office in London. In the Republic of Georgia and Iraq, Ms. Dalton held senior technical positions in two innovative democracy and governance programs. In Kenya, Helena was a senior manager with the Capable Partners Program, helping national CSOs to respond effectively to the impact of HIV on women and children. Most recently Helena was Chief of Party for a USAID-funded program in Uganda designed to improve the overall health and wellbeing of vulnerable children. Ms. Dalton is a citizen of Kenya and holds an MPhil from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex UK.
Gabriel “Chacha” Mogaya
Finance Manager
Gabriel's BIO
Finance Manager
Gabriel joins us in our Nanyuki headquarters as Finance Manager responsible for financial management, budgeting and tracking program activities and expenditures. Previously he had held the same position at the Norwegian Refugee Council for South Sudan and Yemen. Gabriel holds an MBA in Finance from Africa Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Catholic University of East Africa. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Monica Kundu
System Administrator
System Administrator
Monica joins BOMA as an IT officer in the Nanyuki headquarters. Monica graduated from Egerton University with a B.S. in Computer Science. Prior to joining BOMA, she worked as a project manager and technical support lead for Impax Business Solutions. She has also worked for Techbiz Limited as a technical support lead, and as lead technical consultant for the SAP HANA and distributor management systems. Monica has extensive experience in the deployment, training and support of computer systems.
Kendi Fridah
Financial Officer
Financial Officer
Kendi graduated in 2010 from Catholic University of Eastern Africa with a Bachelor of Commerce. After a year with Catholic Hospital Wamba, she joined Northern Rangelands Trust in 2011, working first as an accounts assistant and then as a finance assistant. She joined BOMA in October 2013 as a finance and administrative assistant, based in our Nanyuki headquarters. She’s a native of Samburu County in Northern Kenya.
Erin Lewis
Regional Technical Advisor
Erin's Bio
Regional Technical Advisor
Megan Angulo
2018-2019 Princeton in Africa Monitoring & Evaluation Fellow
Megan's Bio
2018-2019 Princeton in Africa Monitoring & Evaluation Fellow
Jectone Oyugi
Human Resources & Administration Manager
Jectone's BIO
Human Resources & Administration Manager
Jectone is an accountant who has worked in the non-governmental environment for the last 13 years. Prior to joining BOMA, Jectone worked as a Finance Officer with the ICCO Cooperation Regional Office for Central and East Africa in Kampala, Uganda, where he was in charge of development portfolios in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. He previously worked as Finance and Administration Officer at the Institute for Education in Democracy (IED-Africa), a non-governmental organization based in Nairobi, Kenya. Jectone studied accountancy at Strathmore University, Nairobi, while practicing as an Audit Associate for four years prior to joining IED.
Fridah Gacheri Lawrence
Livelihoods and Markets Technical Manager
Fridah's BIO
Livelihoods and Markets Technical Manager
Fridah is a Program Management, Market Access, Value Chain & Agri-business Specialist with over 9 years’ experience implementing projects with INGOs., Prior to joining BOMA she served with the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, ACDI/VOCA, Terra Nuova East Africa (TNEA) and Ideal Business Links Limited (IBL). She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Egerton University, Kenya & University of Pretoria, South Africa and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness Management, from Egerton University, Kenya.
Duncan Kimani
I.T. Associate
Duncan's BIO
I.T. Associate
As I.T. Associate, Duncan provides support to our teams on our Salesforce and TaroWorks platforms, and helps diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve a range of software, hardware and connectivity issues for our office staff. Duncan holds a Degree in Business Information Technology from Mt. Kenya University (Thika).
Bill Clinton Owiti
Assistant System Administrator
Bill's BIO
Assistant System Administrator
Bill joins BOMA from The Information and Communication Technology Authority of Kenya (ICTA) where he served as an ICT assistant. Bill graduated with honors from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology with a degree in Computer Science. After his graduation in 2015, Bill joined the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) serving as an IT intern and Volunteer in the Technology Unit. Bill is a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Certified Cyber-Security Associate (CSA) and Certified Linux Professional (NDG). Bill has developed and deployed mobile apps and stand-alone and web-based computer systems including a Point of Sale (POS) system, Text Encoder Android App on Google Play store and Gobi-Crypt encryption algorithm for information security. Since joining BOMA, Bill has served in the capacity of an IT Associate and helped in Salesforce Administration.
Christine Muuthia
Training Manager
Training Manager
Christine comes to BOMA after working for ten years in Northern Kenya with Practical Action and Rural Focus. Skilled in community training, using participatory methodologies as well as presentations, report writing and project planning and monitoring, Christine has a BS from Egerton University and a Masters in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi.
Isiolo Field Office
Boru Hussein
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Boru's BIO
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Boru is BOMA’s new Monitoring & Evaluation Officer in Isiolo, responsible for day-to-day-management of BOMA’s rigorous field-based monitoring and evaluation activities. He holds a degree in Accounting from Kenya College of Accountancy University (KCAU) and is currently studying for a Degree in Governance, Leadership & Election at Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA). Previously, he was a Project Assistant on the Feed the Future project with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and was involved in implementation of the Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) program in Isiolo County. He has also worked as a Research Assistant for Johns Hopkins University, conducting interviews on pastoral conflicts, pasture scarcity and climate change in Isiolo County.
Musa Jillo Shande
Livelihoods Officer
Livelihoods Officer
Musa tracks and recommends economically viable arid-land livelihood activities in the communities where we work and helps build diverse business opportunities for our participants. He holds a degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi. Before joining BOMA he was a Program Officer and Research Coordinator with the Merti Integrated Development Program in Kenya.
Sam Owilly
Program Manager
Sam's BIO
Program Manager
Sam works in all aspects of program management and development, including livelihoods and livestock market systems, capacity building, and partnership management in our Isiolo office. One of his biggest priorities and responsibilities at BOMA is managing our role in the USAID-funded Kenya Livestock Market Systems project, under an award from ACDI/VOCA. He holds a Masters in Climate Change and Adaptation and a Masters of Arts in Project Planning and Management, both from the University of Nairobi, and a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation and a Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine, also from University of Nairobi.
Aziza Isaack Godana
Field Officer
Livelihoods Officer
Aziza brings her passion for good health and nutrition for vulnerable populations to her role at BOMA. She will be working to build capacity in one of our new regions and help participants achieve self-sufficiency through livelihood opportunities. She holds a diploma in Community Development and Social Work from the Technical Institute of Kenya and has a certificate in pharmaceutical technology. Most recently she was a Community Mobilizer with BRICS (Building Resilience in Civil Society).
Maralal Field Office (Samburu Office)
Samiti Gabriel Leiroya
Regional Manager
Samiti's BIO
Regional Manager
Samiti joins BOMA as the Regional Manager for the Samburu Office. He comes to this position with seven years of teaching business and mathematics in South Horr and two years working for the Pastoral Governors (PGT). He has received a Degree in Education from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Mount Kenya University.
Bety Lesiamito
Market Linkages Officer
Bety's Bio
Market Linkages Officer
Bety is BOMA’s Markets Linkages Officer in Samburu. She is a graduate of Laikipia University and holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce with majors in Finance and Banking. She joined the BOMA team in September 2017, and is responsible for markets analysis and assessments, capacity building for BOMA participants and staff, markets linkages, livestock value chain and promotes financial access and inclusion. Prior to joining BOMA, she worked with various organizations including, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (K.N.B.S) and Afya Timiza – Amref.
Thomas Lmetingas Lenaruti
Field Coordinator
Thomas's BIO
Field Coordinator
Thomas joins the BOMA Project after eight years of serving as a program officer with World Vision Kenya (4 years) and Child Fund Kenya (4 years). He also worked with the International Labor Organization to combat child labor in Kenya. Thomas earned his diploma in Community Development from Kenya Institute of Social Work and his undergraduate in Development Studies at Mount Kenya University. Clearly dedicated to improving his country, he now serves as the senior field officers in Samburu county.
Stephen Leshorono
Field Officer
Stephen's Bio
Field Officer
Stephen Leshorono joins BOMA after having worked as a program officer at Childfund, Kenya and later as a county resident monitor at Water Sector Trust Fund in Turkana, Samburu and West Pokot Counties. Stephen holds Diploma in Business Management and a Diploma in Project Management from Kenya Institute of Management and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Arts degree in Project management Kenyatta University.
Saruna Susan Lenaitorono
Office Administrator
Office Administrator
Saruna is the Office Administrator for the Samburu office. Born in the Samburu consitutency, Saruna holds a diploma in accountancy from the Technical University of Kenya. She has previously worked with Defense Forces Canteen Organization as a shop assistant and accounts clerk in the finance department as well as with Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation.
Sarah Sein Lanyasunya
Field Officer
Field Officer
Sarah grew up in Maralal, and now works as the first female Field Officer in the new Samburu office. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Education from Laikipia University, as well as a diploma in Computer Studies from Eldoret Polytechnic. Additionally, Sarah has been able to take a variety of short courses and receive on-job trainings. Most recently, Sarah worked as a Project Officer for Anglican Overseas Aid, where, for four years, she managed the partnership in Samburu County, aiding maternal child health. Sarah also has an additional four years of work experience with Compassion Kenya, as the Director of a Child Sponsorship Program.
Isabella Lengopito
Field Officer
Isabella's Bio
Field Officer
Isabella Lengopito is an accomplished, compassionate, and results driven professional with over three years of progressive experience working with children in various capacities, including working as a project officer with KIBA CDO, and as an untrained teacher with Kisima Mixed Day School and Karai Mixed Secondary School. Isabella graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelors in Education Arts.
Marsabit Field Office
Meshack Omarre
Regional Manager
Meshack's BIO
Regional Manager
Meshack is based in BOMA’s field office in Marsabit. He is originally from Ngurunit, and aside from his time spent at university, he has lived throughout Northern Kenya. Meshack has a certificate in public relations and a diploma in human resources, both from the University of Nairobi. He is currently pursuing his degree in business administration from Kenya Methodist University.
Jeremiah Lengure
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Jeremiah's BIO
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Jeremiah has worked with BOMA for three years as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Marsabit office. Jeremiah earned his Bachelors degree in Social Work from Nairobi University in 2013 and is currently earning his Masters degree in Monitoring and Evaluation at Maseno University. Before joining BOMA, Jeremiah worked for the county governments Ministry of Education in Marsabit as a facilitator. Jeremiah has also worked with a variety of NGOs including ILRI, World Vision, and IPSO SYNOVATE, where he worked as a research assistant. Jeremiah is from Ngurunit and currently lives in Marsabit.
David Ltapwa
Field Officer
David's BIO
Field Officer
David joined BOMA in 2012 after working for the Kenya Red Cross, CARE International, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRE). He was promoted from Village Mentor to Field Officer in 2015.
Mariana Turolo
Office Administrator
Mariana's BIO
Office Administrator
Mariana joined BOMA in December 2013 as office administrator in BOMA’s field office in Marsabit Town. She attended secondary school in Laisamis, attended the Imenti Secretarial and Computer College in Meru, and earned a diploma in computer studies from Digital Computer College. She has worked as an assistant at Marsabit Boys Secondary School, Laisamis CDF, Cyber Com Marsabit and Meru National Park.
Celestine Heibor
Field Officer
Field Officer
Celestine joins the BOMA team as our second female Field Officer. Celestine has both a certificate and degree in Community Development from St. Paul’s University, and she has previously worked with the Red Cross Society, Radio Jangwani 106.3, and Kargi and Chalbi Primary Schools. Celestine will be based in BOMA’s field office in Marsabit.
Julieta Lekerpse
BOMA Village Mentor
Julieta's Bio
BOMA Village Mentor
Julieta was born and raised in Wamba, in Marsabit County, where she now mentors 55 business groups and 7 savings groups. She heard about the BOMA Project from a friend and saw the good that BOMA was doing in her community and wanted to be a part of this team. Prior to joining BOMA, she interned with the District Commissioners office in Meru.
Semeji Lekuton
Field Support & Security
Field Support & Security
Semeji is BOMA’s part-time staff in Laisamis District, providing field support and securities for all of our training programs and grant disbursements. He is referred to as the “entertainment mentor” for his gift of making everyone laugh and for his soulful warrior songs.
Sabdio Doti
Senior Field Officer
Sabdio's BIO
Senior Field Officer
Sabdio received a certificate in sustainable agriculture and rural development from Baraka Agricultural College in Molo. She first worked with CARE International as a registration clerk and then with Solidarity International as a food security promoter. Sabdio has served as a community-based monitor with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and more recently with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as a clerk and deputy presiding officer. She also brings monitoring and evaluation experience from Research Guide Africa as an enumerator.
Turkana Field Office
Francis Elim Ngikito
Graduation Advisor
Francis's BIO
Graduation Advisor
As Graduation Adviser in our fast-growing Turkana location, Francis works on all aspects of program implementation. He holds a Master of Science (MSC) in Development Studies from Jomo Kenyatta University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies from Mt. Kenya University (ElDoret Campus).
Wajir Field Office
Abdi Ibrahim Mohamed
Graduation Advisor
Abdi's BIO
Graduation Advisor
Abdi joined BOMA as a Graduation Advisor in Wajir County in January 2018. He holds a B.A in development studies from Mt. Kenya University, and a Diploma in community development from the Kenya institute of social work and community development, (KISWCD) Nairobi. Abdi comes to us after having worked as the SCOPE registration Officer at Danish Refugee Council (Dadaab) for Somali returnees funded by WFP. Prior to that he was Cash and Market Officer at ICRC, an unconditional cash transfer programme in Somalia based in Nairobi.
Our Team in the U.S.
Kathleen Colson
Co-Founder and Special Advisor
Kathleen's BIO
Co-Founder and Special Advisor
Kathleen has more than 20 years in nonprofit fundraising for African causes. After 12 years as BOMA’s CEO, Kathleen is stepping back from that role, while continuing to champion BOMA on all fronts including public awareness, fundraising and donor cultivation. Kathleen graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.A. in government; as a SLU student, she participated in the Kenya Semester program.
John Stephens
Executive Director
John's BIO
Executive Director
John joins the BOMA team after serving on our Board of Directors for more than a year. He is a seasoned humanitarian professional committed to bringing transformational solutions to the world’s most urgent problems. As Senior Director of Program & Partnerships at The Vibrant Village Foundation, based in Portland, Oregon, he oversaw 26 grant partners as well as three field teams based in Ecuador, Ghana and Kenya. Previously, John held a number of positions over twelve years at Mercy Corps, supporting staff and programs in the field with technical operational and program support, security management and proposal-writing. John was also deployed as part of Mercy Corps’ emergency response team to natural disasters such as the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake, and the Lushan earthquake in China. John’s last few years at Mercy Corps were spent supporting programs in the West & Central Africa portfolio. John is based in Portland, Oregon, is married and has two children
Susan Bornstein
Deputy Director
Susan's BIO
Deputy Director
Susan has over 20 years experience in economic development programs, particularly in Africa. Before joining Boma she served as director of technical services and strategic partnerships at Land O Lakes International Development, a non-profit organization affiliated with the agricultural cooperative. Susan also worked for 17 years with the international development non-profit TechnoServe, in roles including senior director for program development, interim country director for Kenya, and deputy director of Africa operations. There she developed and managed innovative public-private partnerships between agribusinesses and emerging market farmers and small and growing businesses. Susan also supported agriculture development programs in Asia and Africa at VOCA. Susan was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal. She holds a MA in International Transactions from George Mason University and a BA in International Studies from Michigan State University.
Email: susan.bornstein@bomaproject.org
Stephen J. Kelly
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Steve has 30 years of financial experience in international banking, real estate development and social services. After working in London, Chicago and New York as an investment banker with expertise in capital markets and commodity finances, Steve turned to real estate development to enable him to stay closer to home and be active in his local community in the Hudson Valley. Serving on the boards of several nonprofits, includes years as Vice Chairman of Nyack Hospital, Steve most recently worked as CFO for Rockland County’s largest senior services agency. Steve spent his childhood years in Aden, Yemen and the rolling downs of Sussex, England before moving to the U.S. in 1986. He has a B.A. (Hons), M.A. in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University.
Jaya Tiwari
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jaya's BIO
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jaya has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising. Prior of joining the BOMA Project, Jaya served as the Executive Director of South Africa-Washington International Program in Washington, D.C., the Executive Director of Suffolk Partnership for Healthy Community in Suffolk, VA, Director of Global Health Programs at Physicians for Peace in Norfolk, VA, and the Director of Research for Physicians for Social Responsibility in Washington, D.C. As an experienced nonprofit leader and manager, Jaya has worked and travelled extensively in Africa. In addition to her management and fundraising expertise, Jaya has published numerous articles, issue briefs, reports and books chapters on issues ranging from global and community health, international security, nuclear nonproliferation and arms control, nuclear energy, and military budget and spending. She has provided briefings on these topics to members of the House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the United Nations. She has been interviewed and quoted by many news sources including Reuters TV, CNN Money, the Associated Press, the Times of India, the Times News Service, National Public Radio, and the Voice of America. Jaya holds master’s degrees in International Studies from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA and in Political Science & Public Administration from Benares Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Jaya completed her Ph.D. course work in International Studies at Old Dominion University in 2000.
Email: jaya.tiwari@bomaproject.org
Nicole Mills
Director of Marketing and Communications
Nicole's BIO
Director of Marketing and Communications
Nicole made the move to Vermont after a twenty-year career in media in New York City, most recently as the Associate Publisher, Marketing, for Cosmopolitan Magazine and Cosmopolitan for Latinas. The daughter of two Peace Corps volunteers, Nicole had long been interested in redirecting her career to the non-profit sector. She joined the BOMA team in January 2017, and is responsible for guiding the strategy for all communications, website, public relations, donor messaging and collateral to consistently articulate BOMA’s mission, vision and impact. Her previous roles also include marketing, events and communications at PEOPLE and ELLE magazines. She is a graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, and holds a BA in Art History from Smith College.
Deborah Kendall
Financial Manager
Deborah's BIO
Financial Manager
Deborah has over 25 years of financial management and administration experience with for-profit and nonprofit organizations throughout New England. In her career, Deborah has consistently decreased costs and maximized resources utilizing her fluency in software integration and proficiency in numerous accounting and finance systems. Prior to joining BOMA, Deborah served as the financial manager for two regional social services and community health agencies in Maine. Deborah is passionate about mission driven organizations and is an active member in local community organizations.
Taryn Cocheo
Finance Associate
Taryn's Bio
Finance Associate
Taryn started working in the non profit field in 2001. After doing case management work for several years in New York City she left to open a restaurant, catering and events company with her husband. Throughout that time she stayed active in the non profit world, was on the board of a local community center and has volunteered for Girls on the Run as well as doing various volunteering for a local cancer center. Taryn is passionate about showing her 3 daughters that we can make a difference in the world and was inspired when she heard about the BOMA project. She is excited to be a part of the BOMA team as the Finance Associate.