Board of Directors

Academic Qualification

• MBA in Accounting, Lincoln University, Missouri
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, International Islamic University Malaysia

Professional Qualifications

• NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Leadership Programme, Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education
• Economic Development Finance Professional and Microsoft Certified Professional

Profile Description

Nasibu Sareva is a business, finance and economic development leader with more than 20 years of experience in organisational leadership, community development and enterprise support, including more than 19 years with the African Development Center. As Chief Executive Officer of the African Development Center of Minnesota and Nevada, he leads a Community Development Financial Institution that expands access to capital, enterprise support and economic opportunity for African immigrants and refugees.

His experience spans strategic leadership, lending, financial management, budgeting, business development and partnership building. He has cultivated relationships with banks, government agencies, professional-service firms, community organisations and entrepreneurs, giving him practical insight into how capital, technical assistance and trusted networks can be combined to produce sustainable economic and social outcomes.

For KCA University Foundation, he brings a valuable United States and diaspora perspective to advancement. His networks can support access to philanthropic institutions, development-finance actors, corporations, African diaspora communities and prospective partners. His background also strengthens the Board’s capacity to assess funding models, structure credible investment propositions and connect donor intent with measurable impact in education, enterprise development and community transformation.

Board Contribution

United States and diaspora engagement; development finance; access-to-capital models; donor and investor confidence; enterprise growth; financial stewardship; and cultivation of philanthropic, corporate, government and community partnerships across North America and Africa.

Academic Qualification

• Joint Master’s in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Lund University, University of Manchester, Central European University and University of the Aegean
• Bachelor of Environmental Science, Kenyatta University
• MicroMasters in Digital Leadership, Boston University
• Senior Management Leadership Programme, Strathmore Business School
• Social impact executive education, Harvard University

Profile Description

Karen K Basiye is a sustainable business, philanthropy and social impact leader with more than 20 years of experience across the corporate and public sectors. As Director of Sustainable Business, Social Impact and Foundations at Safaricom PLC, she works at the intersection of corporate strategy, responsible business, foundation leadership and investment in communities.

Her technical and leadership expertise covers environmental, social and governance practice; Global Reporting Initiative and United Nations Global Compact reporting; corporate philanthropy and social investment; environmental management systems and ISO certification; climate and environmental risk; social policy; and integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into institutional strategy. Her earlier service at the National Environment Management Authority adds regulatory and public-policy perspective to her corporate experience.

She has contributed to university councils, strategic advisory boards and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance’s environment and youth-sector platforms. Her recognition as a Global Compact Kenya SDG Pioneer and as the Schwab Foundation Corporate Social Innovator of the Year in 2026 reflects her commitment to connecting people, purpose, planet and profit. For the Foundation, she strengthens corporate engagement, social-investment partnerships and sustainability-linked funding while reinforcing credible measurement, reporting and stewardship of donor-supported programmes.

Board Contribution

Corporate philanthropy and foundation leadership; sustainability and ESG; social-impact strategy; private-sector partnerships; climate and environmental funding; impact measurement and reporting; and alignment of donor investment with measurable educational and community outcomes.

Academic Qualification

• MBA in Strategic Management from USIU-Africa.
• Bachelor of Commerce, Finance Option

Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

• Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)
• Institute of Certified Secretaries and Institute of Internal Auditors

Profile Description

CPA Noah Ndakala is a finance, audit and governance professional with more than 20 years of advisory and consulting experience. As Managing Partner and a member of the Advisory Board of Ronalds LLP, he provides leadership in financial reporting and analysis, business restructuring, performance improvement, risk management, governance, forensic review and investigation.

His consulting experience spans financial services, real estate, manufacturing, oil and gas, the public sector and public-benefit organisations. He previously worked with Grant Thornton and also contributes as a consultant, trainer and mentor in business incubation. This breadth enables him to examine institutional sustainability, donor assurance and financial risk from both an enterprise and public-interest perspective.

As Chair of the KCA University Alumni Association from 2019 to 2022, he spearheaded its master plan and constitution, strengthened alumni engagement and supported the establishment of Nairobi, Western and Kitengela chapters, with attention to diaspora outreach. His industry networks helped create internship, innovation and employment opportunities, including recruitment of more than 20 KCA University alumni by 2022. He therefore brings the Foundation an important bridge between financial stewardship, alumni advancement, industry partnerships and resource mobilisation.

Board Contribution

Financial stewardship and donor assurance; audit, risk and governance; alumni advancement and chapter development; industry access; enterprise partnerships; diaspora engagement; and conversion of professional networks into funding, internships, innovation and employment opportunities.

Academic Qualification

• MA in Marketing Management – Kingston University, London
• BA in Economics – University of Nairobi (UoN)

Professional Qualifications

• Accredited Business Coach – Alumnus of the Coaching Academy, London

Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

• Vice President – International Women’s Council (IWC) in The Hague, Netherlands (though not explicitly stated as a membership, this role suggests involvement with a professional body)
• National Caucus Chair – Involved with the Council of Governors in Kenya, representing Tourism and Wildlife County Ministers

Profile Description

Hon Achie Ojany Alai is a marketing, public-sector and international engagement leader whose career spans Kenya, Europe and the Middle East. She is the immediate former County Executive responsible for Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture in Kisumu County and currently serves as Senior Director in the Government Delivery Unit, Office of the President, Republic of Kenya.

Her international corporate career culminated in senior leadership, including service as Vice President of the International Women’s Council in The Hague. In marketing and advertising, she served as an EMEA Account Director at McCann Erickson London and Leo Burnett London, managing relationships involving global brands such as Delta Air Lines, Max Factor, Toyota and Gillette. This experience gives her a strong command of brand positioning, audience engagement, reputation and relationship management across markets and cultures.

In public service, she chaired the national caucus bringing together tourism and wildlife county executives under the Council of Governors, contributed to the planning of the Africities Global Summit hosted in Kisumu in 2022 and supported resource mobilisation for the event. She championed youth, film, sport and talent initiatives, including Kisumu All Stars, the I AM Kisumu Talent Search and annual film training with the Kenya Film Commission. She also strengthened KCA University’s visibility and partnerships through its Western Campus. As an accredited business coach, she brings an ability to influence, convene and develop leaders around a shared institutional cause.

Board Contribution

Institutional brand and campaign positioning; high-level stakeholder influence; government and county relations; public-private partnerships; international corporate networks; event-based resource mobilisation; strategic communications; and engagement of youth, culture, tourism and creative-economy partners.

Academic Qualification

• PhD in Soil Science, Egerton University
• MSc in Soil Science, University of Nairobi
• BSc in Agriculture Honours, University of Nairobi
• Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education and Training, University of Fort Hare

Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

• South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and Soil Science Society of South Africa
• Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Institutions Leaders (KNEIL).

Profile Description

Professor  Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki, PhD, EBS, is the VC & CEO  KCA University and a Professor of Soil Science. In December 2025, he was conferred the prestigious national honour of Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear by the President of the Republic of Kenya, recognising his distinguished contribution and service. He provides institutional leadership for the University’s academic mission, strategy and growth, and serves on the Foundation Board as the principal link between the University’s priorities and the KCA University Foundation’s advancement mandate.

He is an accomplished scholar with more than 85 publications in refereed journals, over 43 conference and book-chapter contributions, and extensive postgraduate supervision at master’s and doctoral levels. He has secured or contributed to more than 49 funded projects, consultancies and grants involving USAID, the International Foundation for Science in Stockholm, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and South Africa’s National Research Foundation. This record gives him first-hand understanding of competitive funding, international research partnerships and accountable delivery of externally supported programmes.

Professor Wakindiki serves as Vice President of the Association of African Universities for Eastern Africa for the 2025-2029 term, following his election during the Association’s 16th Quadrennial General Conference in Rabat, Morocco. The continental role complements his leadership across higher education, research and international collaboration and strengthens his engagement with university leaders, policymakers and development partners across Africa and beyond.

His earlier appointments include Research Professor at the University of Venda, Research Team Manager for Natural Resources at the Agricultural Research Council, and Professor and Head of Agronomy at the University of Fort Hare, alongside teaching appointments in Kenya. He received Vice Chancellor’s Senior Researcher awards at the University of Fort Hare in 2012 and the University of Venda in 2017. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Israel’s Agricultural Research Organization and undertook an IGAD and USAID consultancy on institutional capacity to deploy drought-tolerant, high-yielding crop varieties. He is a Professor Extraordinaire at the University of South Africa and previously chaired the Council of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

Board Contribution

Executive sponsorship of advancement; alignment of philanthropic investment with University strategy; high-level donor and government engagement; continental higher-education leadership through the Association of African Universities; research grants and international academic partnerships; institutional credibility; governance; and articulation of the University’s long-term case for support.

Academic Qualification

• PhD. in Tourism Management, Moi University
• MSc. In Services Management, Christelijke Hogeschool Noord (CHN)- Netherlands
• Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management, Moi University

Membership of Professional Bodies/Associations

• ATLAS Africa
• Ecotourism Kenya
• Tourism Professional Association (TPA), Kenya

Profile Description

Professor Damiannah M Kieti Manono is an Associate Professor, tourism scholar and university executive with more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research, consultancy and academic leadership. As Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategy, Finance and Operations at KCA University, she provides executive leadership across institutional planning, financial stewardship, resource allocation and operational performance.

Her previous leadership roles include Head of the Department of Tourism and Tour Operations Management and Dean of the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Events Management at Moi University. She received the Chancellor’s Excellence in Service Award in 2017 for leadership and enterprise and was appointed to the leadership council of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Kenya in 2020. She has supervised more than 13 doctoral and 36 master’s candidates to completion, published journal articles and book chapters, and served as an external examiner and peer reviewer across numerous institutions.

Her research and consultancy cover tourism product development, wildlife-based and community tourism, small and medium tourism enterprises, tourism planning, curriculum development, training, sustainable and pro-poor tourism, heritage and digitisation. She has authored more than 20 journal articles, ten book chapters and several conference papers; served as an external examiner for 14 universities and two colleges; and contributed as a peer reviewer and to the Commission for University Education. She has attracted donor funding for institutional initiatives and leads European Union-funded work on heritage entrepreneurship and digitisation.

Board Contribution

Strategy, finance and operational alignment; donor-funded programme design and oversight; budget credibility and resource accountability; research and European partnerships; sustainability; enterprise development; and integration of Foundation priorities into University planning and implementation.

Academic Qualification

• PhD in Information Technology Security and Audit, in progress, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
• MSc in Data Communications, KCA University
• BSc in Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
• African University Leaders Training, University of Iowa Institute for International Business

Profile Description

Roggers Abong’o is the founding Executive Director and Chief Advancement Officer of KCA University Foundation. He serves as an ex officio member and Secretary to the Foundation Board, supporting the Foundation’s resource-mobilisation, partnership, scholarship and stakeholder-engagement agenda.

In this role, he connects Board direction with institutional implementation, coordinates engagement with University leadership and stakeholders, and supports the cultivation of networks and partnerships that advance the Foundation’s mandate.

He brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in higher education. His previous KCA University roles include Principal of the Western Campus in Kisumu from 2019 to 2021 and Dean of Students from 2011 to 2018, together with service in the University Senate and University Management Board. At the Western Campus, he strengthened performance, regional and county engagement, training partnerships and education-support mobilisation. He also contributed to scholarship fundraising and to the development of the national Career Services Office initiative later rolled out by the Ministry of Education.

As a founder member and Secretary General of the Kenya Universities Deans of Students Association from 2015 to 2019, he supported student-affairs standards, developed leadership-training programmes and workshops, engaged stakeholders through the 2018 National Prayer Breakfast and National Dialogue, and led fundraising for the Association. He has also served as a curriculum expert for the Kenya School of Government.

His international and regional exposure includes leadership development at the University of Iowa; service on the International Youth Fellowship Global Advisory Committee; participation in the 2015 World Camp in South Korea; and student and youth summits in Rwanda and Morocco. He has served as Kenya Convener and Chief Adviser for the All-Africa Students Union and as a member of the KUZA Initiative Board, supporting mentorship, financial assistance and resource mobilisation for young people. His experience as a moderator and corporate master of ceremonies, including the 2022 Company of the Year Awards, complements his stakeholder-engagement and institutional-representation responsibilities.

Board Contribution

Resource-mobilisation leadership; Board and executive coordination; stakeholder and partner engagement; scholarship support; institutional positioning; youth and alumni networks; and cultivation of regional and international relationships in support of the Foundation’s mandate.