About KIPRE

Appointed: 26/07/2023

Professor Josephat Mulimba is a renowned Orthopedic Surgeon who retired from the University of Nairobi after 46 years of service. He has played a major role in the development of Orthopedic surgery in Kenya, East and Central Africa for which he has won numerous awards.

Prof. Mulimba served as the chairman of Department of Orthopedic Surgery for 12 years during which time he was a member of senate at the University of Nairobi. He played a major role in starting the College of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), a major trainer of personnel within the region.

Appointed: 13/09/2023

Head of the Research Board Committee.

Prof. Johnson Kang’ethe Kinyua holds a doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi and is the Dean, School of Biomedical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He is an accomplished researcher whose work has positively impacted livelihoods, including fertilizer reformulation to improve crop yields and a malaria research patent.

He previously served in the Directorate of Gender and Mentoring Center as a Director and Deputy Director prior to his appointment as Chairperson of the Department of Biochemistry.

Appointed: 22/11/2023

Head of Finance & Staff Establishment Board Committee.

Prof. Isaac Ogango Jumba holds BSc (Chemistry and Biochemistry), MSc and PhD (Chemistry) from the University of Nairobi. He has 46 years of public service experience and a long career as a university lecturer, becoming a professor in 2006. He has held senior leadership roles including Chairman of Chemistry Department, Dean of Faculty of Education, Deputy Principal (Kenya Science Campus), and Principal (College of Education and External Studies). He served on the University of Nairobi Senate for 21 years and has published extensively on ecosystem health, environmental pollution, occupational toxicology, and mineral metabolic profiles in herbivores.

Appointed: 22/11/2023

Head of Audit Committee.

Dr. Gaynor Noreh Lumbasio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology Genetics from the University of Nairobi. He is currently an Embryologist at The Nairobi IVF Centre Ltd and a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the University of Nairobi Microbiology and Biotechnology Student Association.

Director General, National Museums of Kenya.

Prof. Mary Gikungu holds a PhD in Natural Science and Mathematics (University of Bonn, Germany), M.Sc. in Conservation Biology (University of Nairobi) and B.Sc. in Botany and Zoology (University of Nairobi). She has published over 40 papers in peer‑reviewed journals. She is a renowned Bee Specialist and Conservation Biologist with extensive experience in ecosystem services, climate change, environmental health and food security. She has served as a Council Member of Kibabii University, Associate Professor at JKUAT (Zoology) and supervises the Directors Executive Team (DET).

Appointed: 12/09/2025

Salome Owuonda is a seasoned Climate, Gender, and Social Inclusion Expert with extensive experience at the intersection of climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. She holds a Master of Arts in Gender and Development Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Women and Development Studies, and is currently pursuing a Certificate in Financing and Deploying Clean Energy at Yale University. As the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Sustainable and Inclusive Development (Africa CSID), Salome leads initiatives that advance inclusive food systems, climate-resilient agriculture, and community-driven adaptation. Her work emphasizes biodiversity conservation, land restoration through afforestation and reforestation, and the integration of gender-responsive approaches in natural resource management At the global stage, Salome serves as a negotiator for Kenya under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), representing the country in the Food and Agriculture, and Gender and Climate tracks. She is also a United Nations Climate Change Expert Technical Reviewer under the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and REDD+ assessments, supporting countries in analyzing and enhancing their climate results. Her consultancy and advisory work span partnerships with organizations such as GIZ, UNESCO, the World Bank, Conservation International, and Community Forests International. Through these roles, she has contributed to integrating gender in Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), advancing climate finance in fragile contexts, and strengthening women’s leadership in climate adaptation and peacebuilding. A strong advocate of the One Health approach, Salome actively promotes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in her biodiversity and land restoration work. Her efforts align closely with KIPRE’s mission to advance integrated, science-based solutions for sustainable development. Salome’s leadership and scholarship are complemented by her published works and thought leadership on climate justice, sustainable food systems, peacebuilding, and agrobiodiversity. She continues to shape national, regional, and global dialogues on climate, biodiversity concervation, health, and inclusive development, bringing a wealth of expertise and commitment to the KIPRE Board.

Appointed: 02/12/2024

PS Representative, National Treasury.

Mr. Charles Kissingu is a seasoned Human Resource professional with over three decades of public service experience. He holds an MSc in Human Resource Management from Moi University, where he also earned his BSc in HRM.

Appointed: 01/09/2024 — Board Member (Ex‑Officio)

Dr. Mwethera is an experienced Biomedical Scientist with a demonstrated history in reproductive health and the health care industry. He graduated from Bristol University (UK), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA) and University of Leuven, Gasthuisberg Hospital (Belgium).

His innovations include Smugel and Smuscan medical gels, including applications in safe delivery for women affected by FGM. Awards include Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Award (2015), AU Innovation Award (2013), Kenya Public Service Innovation Award (2012), and National Council for Science and Technology Award (2012). In 2019 he received the Head of State Commendation — Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS). He has supervised and mentored several PhD and MSc students and served as external examiner at the University of Nairobi.

Before appointment as Director General of KIPRE, Dr. Mwethera served as Head of Reproductive Health Biology Department.

Corporate Communication, Institute of Primate Research.

Ms. Lucyline Mbogori holds an MSc (Entrepreneurship) from JKUAT and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a diploma in Computer Science and over 15 years’ experience in Administration. She has completed courses at KSG including Conducting Meetings and Taking Minutes, Senior Management, Report Writing and Corporate Governance. She serves as KIPRE Board Secretariat carrying out duties of Corporation Secretary since December 2023. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya and the Marketing Society of Kenya.