Prof. James Ole Kiyiapi was born on 17th, May, 1961 at Osupuko Location Transmara District, Kenya. His was a humble background. His father, Daudi ole Kapur belonged to the Ilnyangusi age set and had two wives with Kiyiapi’s mother, Naomi being the second. Kiyiapi is the last born of Naomi’s six children. As a boy, he grew up herding his fathers flock and lived a typical village life. “Life was fun, playing in the extensive fields herding cattle. I also helped my mother to roof our hut well by spreading cow dug.

Prof James ole Kiyiapi

Prof. James Ole Kiyapi Professional details

Current Position(s) : Presidential Aspirant on Restore and Build Kenya Party – RBK

Other positions Held:

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education 2008 – 2012

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Medical Services –  2008 – 2010

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources — 2006 – 2008
Associate Professor Moi University Eldoret — 2004 – 2006
Lecturer and Associate Professor Moi University Eldoret — 1994 – 2006
Senior Research Fellow Faculty of Environmental Studies in Canada York University — 1988 – 1994
Director US/Boston University – Prof. James Ole Kiyapi directed the US/Boston University Affiliated Study a broad program – the school for Field Studies – Centre for Wildlife Management Studies. He worked in the School for Field Studies and focused on conservation and sustainable land use in Kajiado, Narok, Machakos and Transmara Districts.

Country Program Director  African Wildlife Foundation –  African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) – An International NGO, focusing on conservation of Africa’s Wildlife protection areas and adjacent community areas.

Portfolios Held by Prof. James Ole Kiyapi

Managing Research Grants and Projects

Managed research grants and projects funded by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through African Forestry Research Network (AFORNET), British Council, Department for International Development (DFID, UK)

Journals written by Prof. James Ole Kiyapi

Prof. James Ole Kiyapi has published over 30 papers in refereed journals and as technical report alongside being engaged in broad range of consultancies related to: Forestry, environmental conservation, biodiversity conservation, land use planning, institutions in natural resource management, forest resources assessment, wildlife resources, participatory natural resource management processes, and environmental sustainability.

Educational history of Prof. James Ole Kiyapi

Secondary: Alliance Boys High School, Kikuyu, Kenya (1987)
University: Moi University Eldoret, Kenya — Completed 1988 and attained a First Class Honours  in BSc Degree in Forestry
Postgraduate:
Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Forestry Moi University Eldoret, Kenya — 1988 – 1989
University of Toronto Toronto, Canada — 1989 – 1993

MSc in Forestry

A twist to glory came his way in 1989 when due to his exemplary performance, his lecturers on recommendation of Academic Committee recommended him to be transferred straight from MSc in Forestry to PhD programme, University of Toronto, and he obtained Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Forestry at University of Toronto Canada in 1993 at the age of 32!

Achievements

School Captain – Alliance Boys High School

Testimonials

School Captain at Alliance Boys High School

“His Principle then, Mr. Maneno says he appointed him School Captain because of his high level of maturity. “He was there always when needed, had good rapport with both students and teachers. He was trusted by both students and teachers and all other staff. He was not pushy, or bully and he got along with others working round him. I felt he was the ideal leader in a school like Alliance with students from different backgrounds and who were in need of a mentor. He matched the expectation of the Alliance leadership. He performed his duties very well as school captain.”” -

Njenga Karume

NJENGA KARUME  (BORN 1929  – DIED 24 FEBRUARY 2012)

Njenga Karume held a diploma in business management from Jeans School (KIA). While Kenya was still under colonial rule, he formed a wholesale shop on Grogan Road (now Kirinyaga Road) in Nairobi. It was one of the few shops in Kenya operated by indigenous people.

Later he operated the Nararashi Distributors, who distributed the products of the Kenya Breweries Limites (KBL). Later the Castle Brewing Kenya Limited, a Kenyan subsidiary of South African Breweries (SAB) was formed, with Karume appointed its director. Karume himself sought to distribute the products of both companies, but KBL was afraid of the competition and cancelled the distribution contract with Karume to harm his business.

Karume took the case to the court stating the cancellation of the contract was unfounded. The High Court first ordered KBL to KSh 231 million in damages (about US$ 2.9 million), but upon appeal the decision was overturned and Karume was told to pay KBL for the suit. As a result Karume suffered severe financial hurt. He continued to distribute Castle Beer for a while until SAB left Kenya, finally ending his transport business.

Between 1974 and 1979 Njenga Karume  served a nominated MP.  In 1979 he was elected as the Kiambaa Constituency MP and was re-elected in 1983 and 1988. Since 1979 he held various assistant ministerial positions.  He represented KANU, then the only legal political party in Kenya.

At the National Delegates Conference in Kasarani in mid-1991 Karume moved a motion to repeal Section 2A of the Kenyan Constitution – that is, restoration of the multi-party system. President Moi had no options but to accept the motion.

Karume was reluctant to join the leading opposition force Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), foreseeing its split. Instead, he formed the Democratic Party (DP) with Mwai Kibaki and John Keen on December 31, 1991. At the 1992 elections Karume stood for DP ticket, but lost his seat to Kamau Icharia of FORD–Asili, whose presidential candidate Kenneth Matiba enjoyed higher popularity in his constituency.

He regained the parliamentary seat at the 1997 elections standing again on DP ticket.  For the 2002 Election he won the seat again, but now on KANU ticket, supporting their presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, despite the long-standing friendship with Karume and presidential candidate Kibaki.

He won the seat also at the 2002 elections . In December 2006, when he was appointed the Minister of Defence.  At the 2007 election he represented the PNU coalition led by President Kibaki, but lost the seat to Stanley Munga Githunguri of KANU.

In 2009 he released an autobiography titled ‘Beyond Expectations: From Charcoal to Gold’.

His wife Maryanne Wariara Karume died in 2003.

Suzanna Owiyo (centre) with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

Suzanna Owiyo of Kisumu 100 fame tops the list of musicians who honed their skills in Kisumu.

Isaac Kiprono Ruto is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Chepalungu Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.

He is also one of the rebels in the Orange Demecratic Movement Party allied to Eldoret North Member of Parliament, William Ruto.

Noah Mahalang’ang’a Wekesa (born August 21, 1936) is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to the Party of National Unity and was elected to represent the Kwanza Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.He is the Minister for Forestry and Wildlife and formerly the Minister for Science and Technology.

He was educated at Kakamega High School and graduated from University of Edinburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.

He was elected to the parliament first time in 1988. These were the last one-party-system elections in Kenya. He used to be a rally driver and he has featured in Safari Rally. He has been a chairman of the Kenya Lawn Tennis Association. His son Paul Wekesa is a retired prominent tennis player.

He holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) from Edinburgh University in Scotland, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine and is a Member of Royal College of Veterinary and Surgeon, (H.SC) in Makerere University College.

Wekesa has been a Divisional Veterinary Officer (DVO) in Ol Kalou, South Nyanza and Kisii Districts and served as the Provincial Veterinary Officer (PVO) in Nyanza Province.

He has also been a Private Practitioner (large and small animal practice) in Kitale District, Small Animal Practice in Mombasa and Nairobi.

In the political arena, Wekesa was elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwanza Constituency in 1988. Prior to that, he was elected Treasurer of (Kenya African National Union (KANU) for Trans Nzoia Branch.

Has been a KANU Chairman for Trans Nzoia and in 1997 he was the Presidential Campaign Manager of the Late Vice President Hon. Michael Wamalwa. He was part of the Parliamentary/Civil Society Team of 12 who founded the National Alliance for Change (NAC).

Wekesa was elected Chairman of the Coordinating Committee of NAC, acted as Chairman of the Council of National Alliance Party of Kenya and appointed to one of 10 elders to create a mechanism of uniting Rainbow Alliance and National Party of Kenya. He was elected Co-Chairman of a combined Coordinating Committee representing NAK and Co-Chairman of NARC summit.

He has been a consultant for assessing the capacity of Movement for Change (MDC) structures and personnel while preparing for the 2005 General Elections, part of a 3-man delegation to the House of Commons to meet British Party and Parliamentary Leaders to discuss matters regarding Coalition and Democracy in developing countries, resource person on Coalition Building in Malawi and visiting lecturer for Political Parties in Jakarta in Indonesia.

Dr. Wekesa’s hobbies include Motor Rallying where he participated in three Safari Rallies including the East African and the Zambian National Safari Rallies.

He is an accomplished club player in lawn tennis and became the Chairman of Kenya Lawn Tennis Association as well as coaching his son Paul Wekesa who became the first Kenyan to win as Association of Tennis Professionals ranking list in 1998.

Fred Gumo is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Westlands Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.

He is the Regional development Minister in the current government.

Cecily Mutitu Mbarire, born on December 26, 1972, is a Kenyan politician. She belongs to the Party of National Unity and was elected to represent the Runyenjes Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.

Current Commitee Membership
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2002 To Date: Kenya Women Parliamentary Association, Secretary

Employment History
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2008 To Date : Assistant Minister Tourism
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Dec 2005 To Date : Assistant Minister, Ministry Of Transport
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2002 – 2007: Nominated Member Of Parliament
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1996 – 2002: Programme Coordinator – Youth Agenda
Education

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Post-Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development Studies
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Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Social)

Personal Details

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Date of Birth: 22nd December 1961
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Religion: Christian

Margaret Wanjiru is a Kenyan politician. She belongs to Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Starehe Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the Kenyan parliamentary election, 2007.

She risked losing her parliamentary seat after a vote recount carried out in 2010 indicated that her opponent Maina Kamanda (PNU) won the election with a clear margin.As a result a by-election was held on September 20, 2010, but Wanjiru retained the seat beating Kamanda.

Current Commitee Membership

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2008 to Date: Kenya Women Parliamentary Association – Member

Employment History

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2008 to Date: Assistant Minister, Ministry of Housing
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2007 to Date: Member of Parliament, Starehe Constituency
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2002 to Date: Presiding Bishop – Jesus Is Alive Ministries
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1994 to 2002: Founder & Director Jesus Is Alive Ministries.
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1989 to 1993: Evangelist.
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1987 Self employed (Business Lady)
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1985 Business Manager
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1984 Sales Executive
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1983 Sales Girl
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1982 Office Cleaner & store keeper
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1981 Toilet Cleaner (Janitor) & Car cleaner
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1980 Hawker

Education

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2009: Completed Executive Leadership course in Governance, Harvard University U.S.A
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2003: Honorary Degree in Divinity, U.S.A
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2002: Ordained as an Apostolic Bishop
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1997: Ordained as a Reverend
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1979: Secondary School “O Level”
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1975: Primary School

Gladys Boss Shollei

Gladys Boss Shollei is currently the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary.

Mrs. Shollei, holds a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from University of Cape Town; a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from Jomo Kenyatta University; a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, is an Advocate of 17 years standing and a Certified Public Secretary (CPS).Mrs. Gladys Boss Shollei is a career advocate.

Prior to joining IIEC, she served as  Deputy Chief Electoral Officer at Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) and was an advocate of the High Court for 15 years standing. She is credited with having established the National Council of Law to a fully functional state corporation. She also set up the infrastructure for online publications of all laws in Kenya.

Agnes Odhiambo

Mrs Odhiambo has been the chief executive at the Constituency Development Fund Board since February 2009. She is also a  women’s rights researcher.