INUKA Mombasa

Maham Hussein is a Communications and Public Affairs professional working at the intersection of strategic communication, international relations and social impact. Her experience spans institutional storytelling, executive communications, public engagement and navigating diverse stakeholder spaces across Kenya and Africa. She is particularly interested in how African institutions tell their own stories, how young people participate in shaping the continent’s future, and how meaningful conversations can become meaningful action. When she is not behind the communications strategy, Maham enjoys bringing people, ideas and energy together (both on and off the stage).

Dr Swalhah Yusuf, OGW is an electoral management professional with over 14 years of experience in election operations. She currently serves as the Deputy Director, Election Operations in Mombasa County, where she oversees the planning and implementation of electoral activities. She holds a PhD in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration (Finance), a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K). Her expertise spans strategic leadership, financial management, governance, electoral administration and institutional service delivery. Through her leadership, IEBC has consistently been ranked as the best Independent Commission at international exhibitions in Mombasa. Dr Yusuf is committed to professional excellence, institutional integrity, effective service delivery and credible electoral processes. Her contribution to public service has been recognised through the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) award.

Melvine Tabitha Opondo is a Computer Science student, technologist and CSA Africa alumna whose journey is defined by resilience, courage and learning to create opportunities from where she is. She began university with almost no prior exposure to computers and initially struggled with feelings of being behind and not belonging in technology. Through persistence, mentorship and her experience with CSA Africa, she developed skills in software development while gaining the confidence to approach challenges as things she could learn rather than limitations on what she could become. Today, Melvine builds software, works collaboratively on projects and uses her skills to identify problems and create practical solutions. Her story reflects a belief that lack of exposure is not lack of ability, and that young people can begin building meaningful opportunities with what they already have.

Fatuma Ali is an award-winning social entrepreneur, petroleum and natural gas engineer, and the Founder & CEO of Sulha Afrika, a regenerative materials company developing mangrove-based biomaterials to transform the leather industry through Indigenous African knowledge and circular innovation. She founded Sulha Afrika with just USD 300, growing it from a sustainable leather brand into a pioneering venture advancing nature-based alternatives to chromium tanning. Her work focuses on developing mangrove-derived bio-tannins, while creating economic opportunities for women and youth and supporting ecosystem restoration through regenerative value chains. Fatuma’s work has received international recognition, including the African Development Bank Fashionomics Africa Award, the African Union Commission and UNDP Blue Economy Innovation Award, and the EU BlueInvest Africa Award. She has also presented research on Indigenous African leather practices at the 126th Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists Annual Conference in the United Kingdom. Her vision is to position Africa as a global leader in regenerative material innovation, transforming Indigenous knowledge into scalable climate technologies that restore biodiversity, strengthen local economies and redefine sustainable manufacturing.

Haytam Isse Abdullahi is a youth leader and social-impact practitioner focused on leadership development, community empowerment and good governance. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Future Pillars Organization, a Mombasa-based youth-led organisation, and the Founder of the Guiding the Lights Leadership Academy, which develops young leaders through values-based leadership, civic responsibility, integrity and personal development. His work spans youth mentorship, education, community initiatives and leadership development, creating platforms that enable young people to lead and contribute meaningfully to society.

Kauthar Mohamed is a youth leadership and education practitioner with over a decade of experience empowering young people to discover their potential, develop their voice and turn ideas into meaningful action. As Student Leadership Development Manager at Aga Khan Academy Mombasa, she leads programmes spanning Service Learning and Community-Based Service Learning, youth leadership, internships and experiential learning, creating opportunities for young people to connect learning with purpose, possibility and impact. An International Baccalaureate alumna herself, Kauthar brings both personal and professional insight into the transformative power of education and the importance of creating spaces where young people can see possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances. Passionate about holistic youth empowerment, authentic leadership and creating pathways to opportunity, Kauthar is particularly interested in helping young people recognise their value, communicate their strengths and have the confidence to take up space. Born and raised in Mombasa, she remains deeply committed to creating opportunities for young people in her community and beyond. Her personal philosophy, “Inspire to Empower,” reflects her belief that when people are given the confidence, tools and opportunities to see what is possible, they can begin to build it.

Edwin Njuga is a development professional with over 20 years of experience across the NGO and public sectors, including World Vision Kenya, the Department of Children Services, and the Coast Water Works Development Agency. He has 15 years of experience in youth empowerment, monitoring and evaluation, enterprise development, and programme coordination. He has worked with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) in various capacities, including Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Regional Coordinator, and County Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has supported youth-focused programmes, coordinated field operations, monitored programme performance, facilitated enterprise development initiatives, and provided technical support to young people and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Edwin holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology (Rural Sociology and Community Development), a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and a Diploma in Project Planning and Management. He is passionate about youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and creating sustainable opportunities for young people.

Abdulkadir Aweis, also known as Dadir, is a creative entrepreneur and the Founder of Siewa Media Agency and Siewa Network. Through Siewa Media, he works across digital storytelling, creative media, marketing and strategic communication, helping brands and organisations strengthen their digital presence, engage relevant audiences and communicate their value clearly. Siewa Network brings together changemakers, ideas and opportunities across the creative, business and community sectors, creating a platform for collaboration around youth empowerment, education, community development and social impact. With over six years of experience in digital communication and creative work, Dadir has worked with organisations, businesses, creators and community-led initiatives to build partnerships, amplify humanitarian campaigns, empower communities and mobilise people and resources around shared objectives. He is driven by a belief in the power of people, ideas and meaningful connections to open doors and create new possibilities.

Dr Hafidha Ahmed is a Mental Health Specialist and Community Developer who supports individuals in realising their full potential through accessible mental health support and comprehensive personal development programmes. With extensive experience in the contact centre industry, she has developed strong skills in leadership, communication and training, which continue to shape her impact-driven work. She is deeply committed to community service, public speaking and creating safe spaces that encourage growth, healing and empowerment. Through CSR and community-centred initiatives, including work around GBV, SRHR and HIV/AIDS, Hafidha works to make mental health tools, wellness conversations and personal development resources more accessible to everyday communities.

Hon. Patrick Mbelle is the Member of County Assembly for Bamburi Ward and a community leader focused on youth development, skills-building and grassroots empowerment. He is the Founder and Patron of The Mbelle Initiative, as well as the Bamburi Skills Development Center, Mjini Shamba Community Enterprise, and Mentors of the Seas Centre. Through these initiatives, he supports young people and communities through practical skills development, enterprise, mentorship and locally driven opportunities for growth.

Gheida Abdala Omar is a Kenyan STEM education advocate, innovator, and the Founder of Girls I Save Africa (GiSave), a youth-led organisation empowering young people, especially girls, through STEM education, digital skills and innovation. She is a recipient of the Presidential Innovation Award 2025, Young Scientists Kenya Winner 2021, the Innovation for Social Change Award, and the Pwani Women Golden Awards Rising Star 2023. In 2025, she was a Microsoft Imagine Cup Finalist and received the Global Internet Award at the World Internet Conference in China. In 2026, Gheida was recognised with the Women in STEM Award Kenya and completed the U.S. State Department-supported Community Engagement Exchange Program at Arizona State University. She also serves as an ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoy, Ban Ki-moon Foundation Scholar, Mastercard Foundation Alumni Committee Lead, and IFRC Global Innovation Lead. Her work is driven by a commitment to helping young people use technology, creativity and innovation to solve real community challenges and create meaningful impact.

Fiona Nuwamanya is a finance and management professional who believes that most great ideas do not fail for lack of ambition, but rather for lack of structure. Over the last 15+ years, she has founded TWAM Synergies, a consultancy firm supporting SMEs, co-founded Rocket Health, the first telemedicine company in Uganda, which scaled to over 1 million patients and raised a $5 million Series A, and was recognised as Africa’s SME CFO of the Year. She is now co-founder of the Africa Centre for Applied Digital Health (CADH), where she is helping drive AI-powered digital health solutions and research across the continent. Her mission is to help young founders build strong, sustainable businesses that last.

Kanga Rasi knew by age ten that she wanted to work protecting girls and women. She trained as a lawyer in Kenya believing the law alone could protect children, before learning that laws only change when people organise. That shift took her from courtrooms into campaigns and, eventually, into some of the world’s most influential policy spaces. She is the Director of Campaigns and Advocacy at Brave Movement, in partnership with Together for Girls. Her work has included briefing G20 sherpas and negotiators, contributing to G20 and G7 commitments on child online safety, and supporting a global coalition of more than 150 organisations. Kanga has participated in WHO and UN sessions across Geneva, Vienna and New York, as well as African Union negotiations in Addis Ababa. Closer to home, she has worked with provincial government officials in Kenya to help translate global commitments into practical priorities and budget lines. Her belief is simple and unwavering: those closest to the pain should be closest to the power. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Jackline Waweru Wanjiru is a youth advocate and changemaker with over a decade of experience in SRHR, gender equality, youth leadership and policy advocacy. She is the Founder and Team Lead of Leadership4Impact, a Kilifi-based organisation mentoring young leaders, and currently serves as Program Manager for the Student Education Fund at the Community Health Promotion Fund. Her work has included national and county-level youth advocacy through initiatives such as K-CAT, Y-ACT, Kenya Ni Mimi, and various Kilifi County technical working groups, where she has contributed to youth, gender, SRHR, HIV and anti-GBV policy development. Jackline is a YALI Cohort 11 alumna and was among the Top 12 finalists in Kenya’s Ms President political leadership reality show. Her work is driven by a commitment to creating spaces where young people can lead, thrive and shape the future.

Nancy Moraa Okemwa is a strategic communicator, storyteller and creative industry enthusiast working across communications, media, digital storytelling, community engagement and creative programming. As Communications Lead at Swahilipot Hub Foundation, she leads communications across youth-focused programmes and media platforms, using storytelling and creative expression to amplify voices and bring ideas to life. Nancy believes creativity is more than talent. It is a tool for expression, influence, enterprise and social change. Through her work, she supports young creatives to find their voice, understand their audiences, build meaningful brands and transform creative ideas into sustainable opportunities.