Our Team

I am an environmentalist advancing sustainable food systems through agroecology, with a focus on climate resilience, livelihoods, and social equity. I have been with PELUM Kenya since 2015 and previously worked with Act Change Transform and Green Africa Foundation. I hold a Master’s in Environmental Studies (Community Development) from Kenyatta University and am pursuing a PhD at the University of Vermont. I am a 2025 Big Bets Fellow and 2024 Women in Agriculture Award winner, and an alumna of leading fellowships in agroecology and climate action. I bring strong expertise in advocacy, partnerships, and inclusive agricultural development.

Simon Mureithi is an accomplished finance and business management professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, financial reporting, budgeting, grants management, compliance, risk management, and business partnering within international development and non-profit organizations.

As the Head of Finance at PELUM Kenya, Simon provides strategic financial oversight and leadership, ensuring sound financial stewardship, effective resource utilization, and compliance with donor, statutory, and organizational requirements. He plays a pivotal role in strengthening financial systems, driving organizational sustainability, and supporting strategic decision-making through insightful financial analysis and management reporting.

Prior to joining PELUM Kenya, Simon served as a Finance Analyst at GAIN, Regional Finance Manager at TechnoServe, and Finance Manager at Centre for Health Solutions–Kenya. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed complex donor-funded programs, multi-country financial operations, and organizational transformation initiatives while fostering strong financial controls and accountability frameworks.

Simon holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree. He is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and a registered member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). He also holds a Certified Securities and Investment Analyst (CSIA) qualification, demonstrating his expertise in investment analysis, financial markets, and strategic financial management.

In addition, Simon has undertaken Program Management training at Strathmore University and numerous professional development programs in budgeting, financial planning, financial analysis, donor compliance, and budget management. His strong analytical capabilities enable him to transform complex financial data into actionable insights that support organizational growth, sustainability, and impact.

Simon is passionate about strengthening financial governance, enhancing organizational performance, and supporting development initiatives that create lasting change. He is widely recognized for his strategic mindset, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence, transparency, and accountability in financial management.

Ms. Manei Naanyu is a seasoned agroecology and climate resilient expert with over 12 years of experience supporting sustainable food systems in Africa. She serves as Head of Programmes at PELUM Kenya, where she leads strategic programmes that empower smallholder farmers and pastoralists to adopt agroecology as a climate resilient practice. She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Information and Communication Management and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi.
Her work focuses on bridging practice, policy, and partnership ensuring that farmer led solutions inform national and global agendas. Manei has extensive experience in gender-responsive programming, policy and advocacy, and regional collaboration, and has contributed to shaping conversations on agroecology at local and global platforms.

Mary Irungu is a Policy and Advocacy Specialist with over 14 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, agroecology, climate resilience, and food systems transformation in Kenya and Africa. She has extensive expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, governance, community mobilization, and stakeholder engagement. Mary has played a key role in influencing, developing, and implementing agricultural and agroecology policies at both national and county levels. She is skilled in building partnerships among governments, civil society, farmer organizations, and development partners to promote inclusive policymaking. Through her work with PELUM Kenya, she champions sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems.

Is a seasoned finance professional with over two decades of experience at PELUM Kenya, currently serving as Senior Finance Officer. Specializing in financial management, accounting, and risk assessment, he leverages his extensive background to robustly support PELUM Kenya's developmental mission through financial oversight and administration.

Diana joined PELUM Kenya in January 2023. She coordinates end-to-end MERL functions across all programmes/projects by designing systems, building results frameworks, overseeing evaluations, and ensuring that evidence feeds into learning, capacity building, results-based planning, reporting, and decision-making. Diana believes that people-centred, evidence-driven MERL is what turns grassroots data into real livelihood transformation. She finds deep fulfilment when evidence directly shapes the decisions that keep smallholder farmers and pastoralists at the heart of PELUM Kenya's work. Before joining PELUM Kenya, Diana worked for HEART Africa in different capacities, including leading MERL operations. She holds a Master's in Community Psychology, and is a certified MERL specialist, author, programme management professional and trained counsellor with 12+ years of experience (8+ years leading MERL) in health, education, food security, economic strengthening, and agriculture programmes

“Building strong people systems that empower individuals, strengthen organizations, and create sustainable impact.” CHRPK Irene Nyaboke is a dedicated Human Resources professional with extensive experience in Human Resource administration and people management. She is passionate about fostering a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment while aligning human resource strategies with organizational goals and values.

Irene possesses strong expertise in various HR functions, including:
Recruitment and Onboarding: Managing end-to-end recruitment processes, coordinating staff orientation, and facilitating seamless employee integration into the organization.
Human Resource Administration: Overseeing staff contracts, maintaining employee records, managing probation and confirmation processes, and coordinating employee exit procedures.
She ensures adherence to organizational policies, labour laws, and HR best practices while promoting a culture of accountability and compliance.
Employee Relations and Workforce Support: Contributing to employee engagement initiatives and supporting the development of a motivated and high-performing workforce.

She is committed to continuous improvement, Irene strives to strengthen HR systems and practices that support PELUM Kenya's mission of promoting ecological land use, sustainable agriculture, and improved livelihoods for communities across Kenya. Through her dedication and professionalism, she contributes to building an effective workforce that advances the organization's strategic objectives.

A dedicated Community Development Profession and Agroecology Practitioner with a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development from St. Paul's University, a Diploma in Automotive Engineering, and a Certificate in Youth Ministry. Possesses extensive experience in agroecology, community development, policy engagement, communications, organizational coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving vulnerable communities through work with Kariobangi Cheshire Home for the Elderly Destitute and has over 12 years of progressive experience with PELUM Kenya in transport management and zonal coordination roles. Throughout this period, has supported the promotion of sustainable agriculture, farmer capacity building, agroecological practices, networking, and partnership development across diverse communities.

Passionate about advancing agroecology as a pathway to resilient livelihoods, environmental sustainability, food and nutrition security, and community empowerment. Committed to fostering collaboration among farmers, civil society organizations, government institutions, and development partners to strengthen sustainable food systems and contribute to PELUM Kenya’s mission of promoting ecological land use management and resilient communities.

Beth Omae is an environmentalist and an agroecology practitioner with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Pwani University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Agriculture Extension and Rural Development at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. She has over seven years’ experience as PELUM Kenya’s Zonal Coordinator for the Rift-Western Kenya Zone with strong expertise in multi-stakeholder coordination, farmer empowerment, sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience, and knowledge management. Beth is passionate about advancing farmer-led agroecology solutions that promote sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities.

Ngunjiri Kihoro is an agroecology and food systems professional with over eleven years of experience working with PELUM Kenya to promote sustainable and resilient agriculture. He has coordinated programmes that support smallholder farmers, women, and youth to adopt agroecological practices that enhance productivity, environmental sustainability, and livelihoods.

His work includes programme coordination, capacity development for member organizations, partnership building, and engagement with county and national stakeholders. Patrick brings strong expertise in translating community-driven approaches into effective programmes and policies that contribute to inclusive food system transformation

Evans Akello is the Finance Officer at PELUM Kenya bringing over five years of experience in financial management, donor compliance, grants accounting and financial reporting. A Certified Public Accountant (CPAK), he has worked across the NGO, healthcare, banking and consultancy sectors, supporting effective financial planning, budgeting, internal controls and donor-funded project management. Evans is passionate about promoting accountability, transparency and prudent resource management to drive sustainable development. At PELUM Kenya, he contributes to strengthening financial stewardship and advancing the organization’s mission of promoting agroecology, resilient livelihoods and sustainable food systems for farming and pastoralist communities.

Economist and Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) with expertise in full-cycle grants management, partnerships development, financial management, policy development & implementation, institutional compliance, resource mobilisation, administration and organizational capacity strengthening. Passionate about mentorship of early-career finance and administration professionals, strengthening organisational financial systems and supporting sustainable development. Committed to integrity, accountability and responsible stewardship of organisational resources.

She is a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) expert driving transformative change in agroecology and agrifood systems. She champions the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities in policy advocacy, governance, climate action, and natural resource governance including land rights.

Working at the intersection of social justice, sustainable food systems, and community empowerment, Monica integrates gender-responsive and rights-based approaches to strengthen inclusive leadership and equitable resource access across agrifood systems.

She is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices within PELUM kenya Network and influencing systems change ensuring agroecology is not only environmentally sustainable, but socially just and transformative for women, youth, childremn, PWDs & Marginalized groups.

GESI Expert · Agroecology & Agrifood Systems

I am an agribusiness professional passionate about sustainable agriculture and community development. My experience includes working with farmers through training, field assessments and the promotion agroecological farming practices. I have also supported data collection and community engagement initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening food systems. I enjoy working closely with communities to identify practical solutions that enhance productivity while protecting the environment. Through PELUM Kenya’s mission I hope to contribute to farmer-led innovations, knowledge sharing and the advancement of sustainable food systems that create lasting positive change for farming communities.

An environmental scientist and agroecology programme specialist with over six years of experience in programme coordination, knowledge management, stakeholder engagement and communications within multi-donor development environments. Experienced in supporting agroecology and climate resilience initiatives, coordinating partnerships with governments, NGOs and international organizations, and leading development of knowledge products that strengthen learning and visibility. Passionate about advancing agroecology through knowledge sharing, farmer empowerment and collaborative action that contributes to sustainable, resilient and equitable food systems in Kenya.

He is an early career professional specializing in environmental governance, dryland resource management, and agroecology. At PELUM Kenya, he supports the programes team in planning and implementing projects advancing inclusive environmental and food systems transformation at county and National levels. He is passionate about agroecology as a transformative pathway to food sovereignty, nature restoration, and resilient food systems.

I hold a Diploma in Secretarial duties and Administration in Jodan College of Technology. Through my studies, l gained skills in office administration, record management, communication, customer service, computer applications and organizational management. This training as equipped me to effectively support administrative operation and provide provide professional customer service in a dynamic work environment delivering quality results and supporting organizational goal professionally and efficiently

Have committed to work for PELUM Kenya to learn more about Agroecology to improve my livehood.

I promise to work hard to make PELUM better and enquirer more knowledge about Agroecology and sustainable agriculture