Board

/Board
REV FR FIRMINUS SHIRIMA
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Rev. Fr. Firminus Shirima is a Catholic Priest from the Apostles of Jesus AIDS Missionaries (AJAM) Institute with over 26 years of experience in Community Development in Kenya and the United States of America. Fr. Shirima is the current Chairman of the KANCO Board of Governance and the Executive Director of AJAM, a Faith-Based Community Organization responding to HIV/AIDS and Poverty Reduction challenges in Kajiado County for the last fifteen (15) years. He Holds a MA in Theology, Diploma in Philosophy and Certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Community Development Studies. Fr. Shirima has a wealth of experience in offering Transformative and Participatory Leadership at different levels in the church and communities. He is currently the Chairman of Constituency AIDS Control Committee (CACC) in Kajiado North, a representative of the Faith-Based Organizations to the County HIV Committee and sits in the Board of Kajiado County Church Ministers Association (KACMA). Fr. Shirima has a proven experience and ability to motivate, mobilize, sensitize and work effectively with partners, collaborators, groups and people from diverse cultures and ethnicities.
TOM-OKELLO NGAR
VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Tom Ngar brings on board his skills and experience as a paralegal (community lawyer), project management, social worker, counselor on HIV/AIDS and trauma, mediation in courts, civic education, expertise as a trainer of trainers in election observation, devolution, business consultancy , community mobilization ,lobbying and advocacy . Tom has had Progressive experience in financial management, Projects management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social work in linkages to Gender through Para legalism and donor relations. Tom has vast knowledge in programs management and community mobilization. Tom become a paralegal through training by the international center for reproductive health on legal entities and has done social work and project management with the school of Aviation. He is also trained on Information Technology through the support of USAID program at Strathmore University, studying software platforms development and management. In the past he has handled the TOWA project in Mombasa implemented by NACC, USAID projects on good governance in Mombasa, EU project on maternal health care, family planning, Nutrition and Fistula operation and with GIZ/FIDA on SGBV and GBV on preventions, response and coordination , lobbying and advocacy on community programs by other networks. He is presently the programs director at Coast Women in Development and also the chairman of the National Council of NGOs Mombasa County[
ALLAN RAGI
BOARD SECRETARY
Allan Ragi is the board secretary, he brings on board over 35 years of experience as a public health specialist and advocate, with 26 of these serving as the KANCO Executive director. Allan has a wealth of experience in the areas of National Policy Development and Advocacy, Capacity Building and Networking Community Service Organizations including networks of People Living with HIV and AIDS. He has represented CSOs in various national structures including the Kenya Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism, the Kenya National AIDS Control Council, and other donor health related harmonization committees; He was an advisor in St. Paul’s University Institute of Long Life Learning and Leadership Development, and is presently serving as the chairman of the ACTION partnership, among other duties At the global level, Allan represents the voice and interest of CSOs from the south with RESULTS Education Partners. He is also a member of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance Policy Advisory Committee. In the recent past, he has been a member of the Global Fund to fight AIDS TB and Malaria (GFATM) developing NGO Countries Delegation, and The Finance Operation and Performance Committee (FOPC) of GFATM. Under his stewardship, KANCO has grown over the years from a small organization, to a public health advocacy power house with over 1200 member organization in Kenya and with operations regionally in the greater Eastern Africa Region
CONSOLATA KIARA
BOARD MEMBER
Consolata Kiara has over 20 years’ experience of leadership in different capacities. With an Educationist and Counseling Psychologist background, Consolata has over the years been involved in capacity building and training in both public and private institutions. Consolata is also the vice chair of Consolata Shrine self-help Group as well as the chairperson of the Education Committee for the same .. She is also a marriage counselor and facilitator of Consolata Shrine premarital couples. Over the years Consolata has served in several other boards including the board of management in three secondary schools in Nairobi since 2005 and other civil society organizations. She is also the executive director for Consolation for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (COVUC) and remains a community centered person offering counseling services to adolescents and youth.
MBOGO MUTHUI
BOARD MEMBER
Mbogo Muthui brings on board entrepreneurial skills, with years of experiences as a seasoned business man. Mbogo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Administration from the University of Nairobi. He serves in the Board of Directors as a member of the Resource Mobilization Committee. He is an entrepreneur with companies involved in diverse businesses. He is actively involved in charity and church activities. He is also the Past President of the Rotary Club of Milimani and a Board member of the Disability Ministry at PCEA St. Andrews Church. He is also a trained accredited mediator. Mr. Mbogo is currently the managing director of Elami Limited, director Prinsta Kenya Limited,Kimathi Investment Limited among others.
IRENE KAMAU
BOARD MEMBER
Irene Kamau is the Founder and currently Executive Director of Action Now Kenya (ANK), a local Non-Governmental organization working within the slums of Nairobi and Kajiado counties of Kenya. She manages the day-to-day operations of ANK, and plays a great role in program design of ANK activities. Prior to joining ANK, Irene worked as the Programs Coordinator at the Women Economic Empowerment Consort (WEEC) and as a Social Worker & trainer of former street children with the Friends in the West International. Irene has a wealth of experience around community development programs and has great expertise in micro-enterprise development, community training, program design as well as growth of community based organizations. She has recently taken a keen interest in grassroots advocacy, and is currently heading the team in ANK in establishing grassroots advocacy activities in Kajiado in partnership with several partner organizations. Irene graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home-Economics with a specialization in Foods & Nutrition and a Master of Arts program in Rural Sociology & Community Development, for which she is currently working towards completion.
Dr. Joseph Maina Kiragu
BOARD MEMBER

Dr. Joseph Maina  Kiragu ,  brings on borad a wealth of experience from the field of academia and medical practice. With two Medical Degrees from the University of Nairobi, he is presently working with the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital, as well privately as a consult Gynecologist. Dr. Kiragu also holds a degree Diploma in Project management and recently graduated with a law degree.

He serves in  different boards at different capacities including: Chair Kiahugu secondary Nyeri, Chair Rukira Technical Training Center Nyeri as well as in the Board of Management in several schools including Othaya Boys and Moi Nyeri Complex. He also sits in the Othaya HIV/AIDS constituency committee as well as the Governing Counsel, Sacred Heart University.

Dr. Kiragu has also worked with KANCO for the last 10 years as a consultant and was greatly instrumental to the establishment of the KANCO Rongai Drop in center (DIC), a pilot that has since evolved to give rise to other DICs across Kenya.

Bro. John Boniface Wafuka Sakwa
BOARD MEMBER

Bro. John Boniface Wafula Sakwa   sits in the KANCO board as the Nairobi Region representative. With a teaching and nursing background, Bro. John brings to the board a wealth of experience from these two areas as well as community engagement having worked with women youth and children over the last eight years.

He is the Kenya Regional Superior of the Catholic Religious Brothers Contemplative Evangelizers of Divine Mercy. He is also the founder and Director of Divine Mercy School and Association for Needy Children of Kenya based at Kangemi, Nairobi County. He also runs Divine Mercy Children Home based in Uthiru Kiambu County  and is   also a youth   mentor and trainer.

Kainga Misheck Mutembei
BOARD MEMBER

Mr. Kainga has a wealth of experience in community engagement, project management, monitoring and evaluation, disaster management and mitigation and working with the youth under the influence of drugs as well as vulnerable groups.

Mr Kainga holds a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology (Rural Sociology and Community Development), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology, a Diploma in Information, and Communication & Technology among other certifications and accreditations.

He has worked across different sectors including serving as the chief meteorologist in the Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in the Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Technology. He has also undertaken a number of    consultancies including:  Monitoring and evaluation, Project Cycle Management, Counselling and Psychology, Food security, Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Conflict Avoidance, Research etc.

 In the past he has served in different boards and provided leadership across different platforms  including:  the Kenya Meteorological Society, CDF committee in Igembe Central Constituency, Kasarani Division Youth delegate, Nairobi, in the Nation Youth Council (NYC) as well as helped in the formation of community organization aimed at improving the youth and women welfare