To catalyze the Kenyan tech community’s growth.

TEAM

Advisors
Nekesa Were
iHub : Director of Operations

Were is iHub’s Director of Operations a role to which she brings more than 10 years experience in leadership, management, operations and logistics. Nekesa is passionate about developing and executing the strategy that will provide the foundation and stability for the iHub to lead the agenda and drive the conversation in the Kenya and Africa technology sector. She manages the operations for the all the different departments of the iHub so they can work effectively and efficiently complementing each other. 

Jimmy Gitonga
iHub : Lead

Jimmy took the scenic road to getting here. Having studied physics and applied maths in campus, he furthered in electronics at the Kenya Polytechnic.  He then veered into graphic design, web design, Flash development and motion graphics. He then went into animation, being involved in the pilot project of the now famous "Tingatinga Tales". Jimmy is a founding member of the ARK, a design house that developed the Zuku brand for Wananchi and designed the iHub space. He came to the iHub as a Green Member and lead in the iHub Cluster Initiative. He is a member id the Planet Rackus crew, who warn the Pivot East 2012 Entertainment and Overall Prize with their Ma3Racer mobile game and http://www.essentialafrica.com/. At iHub he now has the title, "Hype Master".

Rachel Gichinga
iHub : Community Manager

Rachel is passionate about the intersection of tech, development, advocacy and creativity. Projects that she’s worked on mostly include using the internet and artistic expression to get young Kenyans actively and consciously engaged in political development. At some point in her life she co-founded an online advocacy startup, Kuweni Serious, and she is an alumna of the Acumen Fund East Africa Fellows Program. She is also solely responsible for any and all Beyonce tracks that play at the iHub.  

Jeff Maina
iHub : Web Master

Jeff's passion lies in creativity. He has bachelors degree in Information systems and a masters in multimedia design . His sole responsibility is to ensure everything looks and feels great. Jeff’s core background is in graphic design and web development, with vast experiece both locally and internationally.

Lillian Nduati
iHub : Communications & Media

Brings on board her background in media and journalism merging this experience with her knowledge of the technology industry in the country. Her passion in media, entrepreneurship and technology communication will be invaluable in coordinating media activities at the iHub. 

Rosemary Njeri
iHub : Financial Manager

Rosemary Njeri is Financial Manager at iHub. She has experience as a finance manager for 10 years in different Non-Governmental Organizations in the Kenyan finance sector. Prior to moving to iHub in May 2012, Rosemary worked for Resources Oriented Development Initiatives as a Finance Manager on different projects funded by Tudor Trust UK, Action Aid Kenya, DFID, GLS German and Oxfam GB. She also worked as a Finance Manager for Foods and Trade Networks for East Africa where she was responsible for setting up finance systems and directing accounting departments, managing human resource, system reviews and financial reporting and analysis for the organization. Rosemary holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Accounting and Finance Option from Kenya Methodist University.

James Orengo
iHub : Security Manager

James joined iHub in 2010 as a Security Manager, having over a decade of experience working with various security firms, including G4S and KK Security Group of Companies. His work at iHub involves ensuring safety and security of iHub  Staff and all iHub Members within the iHub space.  James enjoys singing, composing and recording gospel songs in various choirs such as the Methodist Church of Kenya and Pentecostal Church of Kenya. He is also a guitarist.

Jessica Colaço
iHub Research : Lead

Jessica Colaço is passionate about Innovation, Research, Visualization, Mobile Technology, Robotics and Entrepreneurship in Kenya. Jessica mentors the team in research activities, leading the team in their day-to-day activities at the research firm. She studied Computer Science at the University of Nairobi before joining Strathmore Research and Consultancy Centre as the Research Lead where she worked for 3 years. Jessica has additional training in applied research, proposal writing, and management consultancy. She is a TED Global Fellow in 2009, is Founder of Mobile Boot Camp Kenya, and Co-founder of AkiraChix. Jessica has organized several Mobile Boot Camps in Kenya as well as the first Facebook Developer Garage in Kenya in 2008 and was named Kenya’s Top 40 women under 40 in the business scence in 2012.

Angela Crandall
iHub Research : Research Manager

Angela Crandall specializes on the use of mobile phones in the East African agricultural sector, having conducted research for a Raines fellowship (2009) and a ten-month Fulbright fellowship on the topic (2010-2011). Prior to moving to Kenya in 2010, Angela was involved in corporate outreach to engage businesses in dialogue on sustainability at the World Wildlife Fund (Washington, DC, USA). She has experience working with infoDev, a global development financing program, housed by the World Bank; the US State Department; and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI). Angela studied international environmental issues at Georgetown University (USA) and completed a Fulbright research fellowship looking at the use of SMS by rural farmers. She is the co-founder of Waza Experience, a weekly club to teach entrepreneurship for rehabilitated street children in Kawangware, Nairobi.

Leonida Mutuku
iHub Research : Research Manager

Leonida Mutuku is a research manager at iHub Research. She is the lead on Governance projects focusing on Open Data, Design Thinking Methodologies and Market Research at the iHub Research. An Actuary by training, Leo has a background conducting both academic and financial quantitative research. Leo has worked in various capacities at Family Bank and Barclays Bank and i is experienced in data audit, research analysis, and creative visualization using SPSS, Excel, R and IDEA software. She has worked closely with tech start-ups, profiled several upcoming and established entrepreneurs, and published academic papers. She also blogs occasionally.

Hilda Moraa
iHub Research : Senior ICT Researcher

Hilda Moraa spearheads iHub Research innovation and entrepreneurship studies, and is currently working on leading an in-house study on African ICT Hubs. Hilda received her bachelor’s degree in “Business in Information Technology” at Strathmore University and is currently enrolled as a master’s student at Jomo Kenyatta University studying entrepreneurship. Hilda’s experience in quantitative research, market research, management consulting, operations research in a fast-paced high-exposure environment has been invaluable in designing and managing research projects. She is the co-founder of My_Order, which won the Mobile Boot Camp Competition 2010.

Anne Salim
iHub Research : Junior Researcher

Anne is a junior researcher at iHub Research.She is currently working on the mGovernance study, researching on the role of mobile in enhancing transparency in the water governance sector. With a Diploma and Bachelors Degree in Business Information from Strathmore University, Anne also coordinates all events at the iHub Research. Her research interests include design thinking, education & ICT research related projects as well as participating and facilitating in Hackathon events.

Rhoda Omenya
iHub Research : Junior Researcher

Rhoda brings to the team extensive research experience in the field of community development. Her focus now on spurring citizen participation in the tech scene, specifically, local tech solutions that empower communities. She is merging these two fields as part of the monitoring and evaluation of Uchaguzi and Open Data - citizen centered projects.

Albert Otieno
iHub Research : Statistician

As a statistician, Albert's main role at iHub Research entails entry, visualization of graphics and analysis of various projects. He explains complex ideas and findings in a way that can easily be understood. Albert holds a BSc. In Applied Statistics with Computing and is currently working on his masters in social statistics. He is passionate about research.

Gladys Kitony
iHub Research : Junior Researcher

Gladys graduated from Strathmore University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology. At iHub Research, she is involved with outreach and is also a researcher on the African Tech Innovation Index project – A project that perfectly intersects her areas of interest: Technology, Innovation and Africa. Her passion in technology leads her to inspire other girls to develop interests in tech and to become top leaders in the male dominated field, hence her involvement in Akirachix.

Mel Mbugua
iHub Consulting : Lead

Mel Mbugua holds a Bachelors in Business Information Technology from Strathmore University. She has since worked in project management for 3 years based in Nairobi.  Other than project management, she has worked to develop leadership and entrepreneurship programs for young people which have been implemented in Kenya and Poland. Mel enjoys travel, craft and is an avid reader.

Mark Kamau
iHub UX Lab : Lead

Mark Kamau is a designer at heart and is passionate about design. He has been teaching design for over a decade and has international experience both in the continent and in Europe. He is passionate and excited about Africa and believes Africa should engage intelligently to solve her own socio-economic problems. He believes smart design truly has power to change Africa!

Kagonya Awori
iHub UX Lab : UX Researcher

Kagonya holds a Masters in Human-Computer Interaction from Carnegie Mellon University, making her the first African with an MHCI from Carnegie Mellon.
Kagonya is passionate about catalyzing the knowledge and application of user experience research in the burgeoning tech community in Kenya. Her interests include local content generation, mobile user experience design, public spaces, social networks and designing for rural communities. She loves swimming, swimming and swimming.

Phares Kariuki
iHub Cluster : Lead

With an interest in finance, I am a technologist who is both passionate and curious about the role both have to play in the development of the emerging markets.
I have previously worked for Africa's largest umbrella association for media owners and operators, the AMI, as digital projects coordinator. This includeded helping to run the $1m African News Innovation Challenge (ANIC), and spearheading the rollout of HacksHackers.com chapters across the continent.
I have also worked as the lead Solution Architect in sub-Saharan Africa for VMware at Westcon Africa, where I was the technical half of a team that was able to maintain 200% year-on-year growth, winning an award for the best performing VMware distributor globally.
I currently work as the primary lead for the iHub Cluster initiative, that targets to increase the use of analytics in decision making for both corporates and government entities.

Josiah Mugambi
iHub : Advisor

Josiah Mugambi has had several years’ experience in ICT, including software solutions development and networking, and is currently working in the telecommunications space for a leading provider of telecommunications solutions.
Josiah is one of the co-founders of Skunkworks an informal gathering of Kenyan technology enthusiasts, have participated in organizing numerous meetings and talks bringing together mostly software & web developers, designers, engineers and bloggers to share their knowledge and network. Kenya’s first Barcamp was a result of this networking, and has been regularly held since then. The mailing list now has over 1000 subscribers. One of the main aims behind the forming of this group is networking of common techies with the aim of spurring innovation amongst them.
He is also an advisor at the Nairobi iHub (ihub.co.ke), an open space for technologists, investors, tech companies and hackers (developers) in Nairobi.
Additionally, he is involved in a number of startups in the web and content fields.

Erik Hersman
iHub : Advisor

Erik Hersman is an international technology influencer with a keen eye on the impact of web and mobile technology innovation across Africa. Raised in Sudan and Kenya, Erik brings unique energy and insight to the world of technology and innovation – bridging the gap between Africa and Silicon Valley. He has a B.S. in Business Management from Florida State University. As part of the Ushahidi strategy he has been building the iHub (Nairobi's innovation hub) since early 2010, a place that has grown to 3000+ Kenyan developers, designers, and entrepreneurs with connections in the corporate, academic and investor sectors.

An avid blogger, Erik writes two different technology-related blogs - AfriGadget and WhiteAfrican. He is frequently a speaker at meetings and conferences dealing with technology in Africa, mapping, blogging and web application development, including; TED, PopTech, DEMO, Picnic, SXSW, Where 2.0 and Web 2.0. He is a TED Senior Fellow, a PopTech Faculty Fellow, sits on the Safaricom Innovation Board and is a founding organizer of Maker Faire Africa.

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