Management
Dr Elsie K. Onsongo
Dr Onsongo is the Director of NCIR. Her research interests relate to innovation for inclusive development in sub-Saharan Africa, with a current focus on frugality, inclusion and sustainability in energy access, health care, and urban development.
Dr Bethuel Kinyanjui Kinuthia
Dr Kinyanjui is an economist by training. His research focuses mainly on trade and finance in developing countries. He has a PhD in Economics from Leiden University in the Netherlands. He’s a lecturer at the School of Economics, University of Nairobi.
Millicent Ochieng
Millicent specializes in developing accounting & finance management systems. She has a bachelor’s degree (finance option) & a diploma in business administration from the University of Nairobi. She also has an ACCA from KCA University.
Edward Kariuki
Edward has experience in office administration functions. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Eldoret and has worked as a research assistant in previous engagements.
Researchers
Alice Menya
Alice Menya is the Urban Programme Coordinator at Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research. She is an urban development specialist, with research interests in urban governance, resilience, informality, and sustainability. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, focusing on planning and governance of resilient cities in East Africa.
Beatrice Hati Gitundu
Beatrice is the Urban Hub Coordinator. She has an MSc in Urban Development and Management from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is currently pursuing her doctoral research at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands.
Dr Abigael Okoko
Dr Okoko is a Research Fellow, and currently coordinates the research project on “Sustainability, Inclusivity and Governance of Mini grids in Africa (SIGMA)”. She holds a PhD in Environmental Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi.
Kevin Nayema
Kevin Achola Nayema is a research consultant currently working in the energy domain under the MECS project. He is a trained economist and a PhD (Economics) candidate at the University of Nairobi. Nayema is also a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA) and adjunct Lecturer at the University of Embu.
Judy Kaaria
Judy Kaaria is a research associate currently working under the “African start-up industry mapping: Status quo and emerging trends in agriculture and digitalization” project by GIZ. Her interests cut across agriculture, trade, gender and finance economics. She holds a M.A in Economics from the University of Nairobi as well as an undergraduate degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University.
Rosebella Nyumba
Rosebella is a researcher working on Frugal Innovation, Energy and Urban Resilience Projects at NCIR. She currently pursues her doctoral studies at Bergische Universität Wuppertal, focusing on Business Model Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ann Njuguna
Ann is a Research Assistant with experience in the fields of environment, transport and urban development. Her research works in NCIR have revolved around community and urban resilience and frugal products & processes employed in urban spaces.
Mourice Wambua Kausya
Mourice Kausya is a Research Assistant, currently working on the “Sustainability, Inclusivity and Governance of Mini grids in Africa (SIGMA)” project.
He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi.
Stephen Nyagaya
Stephen is an Urban Planner with interests in urban resilience, participatory planning, and environmental management. He is undertaking a Master of Arts in Environmental Policy at the University of Nairobi.
Former Staff
Beryl Onjala
Beryl is a former researcher at NCIR. Her research interests while at NCIR focused primarily on modern cooking services, along with the “Sustainability, Inclusivity and Governance of Mini grids in Africa (SIGMA)” project.
Harrison Kioko
Harrison is a Research Assistant whose research interests centre on urban informality & mobility, smart cities, innovation & sustainability and urban agriculture. Harrison has an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Nairobi.