Dr. Kamau Gachigi is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, where he has been since 1999. He teaches materials science to both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering students. His current areas of research include activated carbon from agricultural wastes for use in affordable potable-water filtration, and investigation into value addition of titanium and iron bearing ores. He recently won a grant to establish a Fab Lab at the University of Nairobi (the Fab Labs are a rapid prototyping unit started at MIT), which he will coordinate as a teaching, R&D and business incubation unit at the University of Nairobi, and will serve as the seed of a Science and Technology Park at the University. He has published 6 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, and was awarded a U.S. patent during his doctoral studies. He has a deep interest in innovation within the sciences and engineering, and has recently founded the WAZA PLATFORM, an innovation club.

Dr. Kamau obtained his PhD (1996) in Solid State Science at the Pennsylvania State University, USA where he specialized in electronic ceramics for capacitor applications. After his doctoral studies he spent 2.5 years in Japan as a researcher for the electronic, and component manufacturer TDK.

He is also a lay Christian preacher, with a particular interest in the linkages between science and spirituality. Prior to becoming a Christian he spent 10 years as a practicing Hindu, during which time he performed a pilgrimage to India. He is married to Warigia Razia.

Gender Coordinator, Gender Enterprise Markets, IFC
ZanaA Senior Advisor

Makena Mwiti currently works with IFC – World Bank Group, with the GEM (Gender Enterprise Markets) team as the Gender Coordinator for Africa, based in Nairobi. She is responsible for identifying and managing opportunities for gender work across the various business lines in Africa that GEM works in. She is also involved in developing and managing strategic initiatives that expand women's productive participation in the private sector.

Prior to joining GEM, Makena was the Program Manager for the Africa Credit Bureau Program, where she provided operational support for the development of the regulatory and institutional framework for credit reporting in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda and Mozambique. The program is also involved in outreach and awareness building, as well as providing direct support to credit registries and bureaus.

Makena has over 10 years senior management experience in banking. Her most recent assignment in the banking sector was at FINA bank where she worked as the Head of the SME Department. She was also instrumental in setting up the Development Finance Department at the bank. Prior to that she worked in various international banks including Standard Chartered Bank and ABN AMRO where she gained a wealth of experience in Business Development, Strategy Formulation, Fund Management, Institutional, Retail and SME banking.

She has an undergraduate degree in Economics and Business Economics from the University of Hull (UK), and a Masters degree in Development Finance from the University of Manchester (UK).

She is passionate about empowering people to help them reach their full potential, and enjoys networking, travel and reading. She identifies closely with the mission and vision of ZanaA, particularly how it addresses specific avenues to unleash the power of female potential in Africa.

Muriithi Wanjau currently serves as the senior pastor of Mavuno Church, an urban congregation that meets at the former Bellevue Drive-In Cinema off Mombasa Road. His main responsibilities include setting overall vision and strategic direction for this growing congregation.

Muriithi also serves on the board of trustees for Greening Kenya Foundation, a locally registered NGO that is involved in economic empowerment through environmental change. He also is a member of the advisory board for the Logos Christian Schools. He has a BSc (Biochemistry) from the University of Nairobi and a Masters degree in divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, USA.

Muriithi is the author of a popular primer on the Christian faith entitled ‘Mizizi’. His greatest passion is equipping congregation members to become passionate leaders of social and spiritual transformation in all sectors of society across the continent of Africa. ‘ZanaA is a great example of the kind of initiative I would love to see every single member of Mavuno church initiate or get involved in!’