Chairman & Co-Founder
As a co-founder of U-TENA Youth Organization, Jonathan Nzuki brings over 12 years of foundational leadership experience, having previously served as the organization’s Executive Director before transitioning to his current role as Chairman of the Board. He holds a degree in Leadership and Management from St. Paul’s University and is an expert in community mobilization, HIV testing and counseling, and sexual reproductive health training. Deeply passionate about community empowerment, peer counseling, and youth behavior change, Jonathan guides the organization with a steadfast commitment to humanity, accountability, and integrity.
Patron & Co-Founder
As a co-founder and Patron of U-Tena, Anthony Mutuku has spent more than two decades championing youth empowerment and community well-being. His extensive background as a counselor and trainer of trainers has allowed him to lead vital initiatives in HIV counseling, life skills education, and youth-focused community development. Anthony’s notable career includes impactful project work with Hope Worldwide Kenya and Emory University (IHP). Driven by a passion for mentorship, he guides U-Tena’s mission by helping young people discover their unique abilities, explore new avenues for growth, and thrive within supportive communities.
Executive Director
Paul Odumbe has led transformative projects, collaborating with local, national, and international development organizations in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, youth development, governance, livelihoods and economic inclusion (including skills and enterprise development), climate change adaptation, psychosocial support, research, advocacy, gender equality and social inclusion, education, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building.
He has played a pivotal role in youth employment initiatives, supported the management of USAID’s Basic Education program, and led the Kenya Secretariat for the TVET Technical Working Group and the Joint Sub-Sector Working Group on TVET and youth employment.
Paul brings over a decade of rich technical experience in participatory development approaches, program design and management, team coordination, community engagement, and positive youth development. He is the team lead and Executive Director for U-Tena Youth Organization. Paul holds a Master’s Degree in Project Planning and Management, in addition to other professional and specialized skills training.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Samuel Mugandah Shiyayo is a results-driven Health Information Management and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) professional with extensive experience in strengthening health information systems, programme monitoring, data quality assurance and evidence-based decision-making across healthcare and community-based programmes.
Sam has professional experience in hospital-based information management and donor-funded programmes, particularly in HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP). Demonstrates expertise in developing monitoring tools, strengthening data collection and reporting systems, conducting data quality assessments and supporting programme teams to translate data into actionable insights.
He’s currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and holds a Diploma in Health Information Management and various recognized certifications in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Data Protection. He’s passionate about leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to strengthen data systems, automate routine processes, improve data quality and enhance the efficiency of monitoring, reporting and decision-making.
Head of Strategy & Resource Mobilization
He is a seasoned health economist and community development specialist with over 16 years of experience across the academic, NGO, and research sectors in Kenya. Currently a PhD candidate in Health Sciences at the University of Pécs, he holds an MSc in Health Economics from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s in Social Work from St. Elizabeth University. Peter has successfully driven programs for prominent organizations, including Jhpiego and the African Population and Health Research Center. At U-Tena, he leverages his deep expertise in strategic planning, youth development, and health policy to scale organizational impact.
Health Programs & HTS Lead
Catherine Ndinda is a dedicated public health professional with a strong background in HIV prevention, program coordination, and community health service delivery. She is passionate about bridging the gap between community needs and health system capacity to ensure accessible, effective, and sustainable HIV prevention services.
Throughout her career, Catherine has coordinated and supported the implementation of key HIV prevention interventions, including rapid HIV testing, index testing, condom distribution initiatives, and Stay Negative campaigns across community and health facility settings. Her work focuses on strengthening service delivery, expanding access to HIV prevention services, and promoting positive health-seeking behaviors within communities.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, a BSc in Nutrition Science and currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Catherine brings strong expertise in translating program work plans and budgets into practical implementation strategies while maintaining effective working relationships with Partners, non-governmental organizations, public health facilities, and other key stakeholders. She is committed to fostering collaboration and ensuring that program activities are implemented efficiently and in line with established objectives.
Health Records & Information Officer
Driven by a passion for data integrity, Vincent Chumba serves as U-Tena’s Health Records and Information Officer, where he oversees the vital systems that track and measure organizational success. Vincent is an alumnus of Kenyatta University, holding a degree in Health Records and Information Management and a certification in Leadership and Mentorship. His robust background in community and healthcare programs enables him to transform raw health data into actionable insights. At U-Tena, Vincent’s commitment to high-quality data management ensures that the organization’s health initiatives are measurable, accountable, and continuously improving.
Advocate for Holistic Youth Development & Community Empowerment
She is an accomplished advocate for youth development and community empowerment, equipped with professional training in Leadership and Management alongside a certification in Psychological Counseling. Her career is dedicated to uplifting adolescents and vulnerable groups, particularly teen mothers, through structured mentorship, psychosocial support, and economic independence initiatives. An expert in community-led education, Lilian utilizes the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodology to successfully rebuild foundational literacy and numeracy skills in primary school learners. At U-Tena, she blends educational equity, counseling principles, and creative expression to foster inclusive spaces, helping young people overcome socio-economic barriers and build self-reliant futures.
Finance Officer
Susan Nyamasi is a qualified finance professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification, with nine years of progressive experience in financial management within charitable non-governmental organizations and donor-funded programs.
Her experience covers the full financial management cycle, including budgeting and budget monitoring, financial reporting, cash-flow management, expenditure control, financial analysis, account reconciliation, audit coordination, and ensuring proper documentation and accountability for funds. I have strong experience in managing donor funds in accordance with grant agreements, donor requirements, organizational policies, and applicable financial regulations.
Susan is involved in the development, implementation, review, and enforcement of finance policies and procedures, strengthening internal controls, ensuring compliance, and supporting program teams to adhere to sound financial management practices. Her work mainly involves monitoring program expenditure against approved budgets, preparing donor financial reports, tracking grant utilization, supporting financial planning and forecasting, and ensuring that donor resources are used efficiently, transparently, and for their intended purposes.
Office Administrator & Projects Officer
Driven by a profound commitment to youth empowerment, Emma Ochieng combines administrative excellence with passionate community social work. Emma holds a Diploma in Social Work and Community Development from KIPS Technical College and recently sharpened her leadership capabilities through the GRiC Africa youth leadership training program. Having risen through the ranks from a dedicated volunteer to a core officer at U-Tena, she possesses a rich background in supporting and mentoring vulnerable adolescents through the organization’s Angaza program. Emma’s deep empathy, coupled with her strong communication and observational skills, allows her to effectively navigate complex community needs and beautifully advocate for the young people she serves.
