Our Team

Movine Omondi

Founder – CSSR-A

Movine Omondi, our founder, is a dynamic Research Specialist specialising in International and African Affairs. With five years of prolific experience and engagement in pan-African issues, Movine has demonstrated expertise in Human Rights, Social Development and Innovation Research, Geopolitical and Investment Consulting and Business Development and Analysis within the African business landscape.

Movine’s diverse professional background includes key research roles at Hekima University College, Ashantene Consulting, KAC-Afrika GmbH, and Co-creation Hub/iHub Nairobi, showcasing adaptability and excellence. Movine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons) in Political Science and Armed Conflicts and Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi, where he concentrated on Political Theory, Political Economy, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Armed Conflict Resolution. His proven track record reflects a commitment to libertarianism, social justice, human rights advocacy, and informed decision-making for Africa’s development.

Linus Kawuondi

Co-Founder – CSSR-A

Get to meet our co-founder, Mr. Linus Kawuondi. Linus is a seasoned research practitioner with seven years of cumulative experience in Monitoring & Evaluation, Policy Analysis and Strategic Research. His demonstrated leadership spans diverse domains, contributing impactful results in M&E processes and issue-based research. Linus’s well-rounded skill set includes international relations, political economy, religious studies and philosophy, peace and conflict studies, human rights, data science, and business development. His extensive experience, diverse skills, and strong educational background make him a reliable and impactful leader in our team.

Linus has previously served in various research consulting capacities including at Wasafiri Consulting, Hekima University College and IPHRD-Africa. Linus holds a Masters of Arts degree in Peace Studies and International Relations from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy (Uganda Martyrs University) and a Diploma in Theology (Tangaza University College) as well as Data Science Certification from the African Leadership Academy. Linus’ extensive experience, understanding of Africa-focused issues, and strong educational background make him a reliable and impactful member of the team.

Joyce Raichenah

Research Consultant

Joyce Raichenah is a distinguished research specialist with cumulative 8 years of experience, and is deeply committed to fostering peace and development in Africa. Her expertise spans international development, gender studies, business, politics, and security, focusing on innovative solutions to Africa’s challenges.

Through impactful work in Peace and Security Research, Education, and Business Management Consulting, Joyce drives tangible impact across African communities through notable projects including the development of a conflict monitoring tool (CMT) at Hekima University College currently deployed for informing peacebuilding efforts in Eastern  Africa and the Great Lakes Regions. Joyce also  Serves as a distinguished Course Facilitator at the Jesuit World Wide Learning. Joyce holds a Masters of Arts in International Relations from Hekima University College and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology from Kenyatta University.

Mariel Kenderi Musera

Research & Programmes Specialist, East Africa

Mariel Kenderi is a versatile researcher specialising on African Affairs. She demonstrates proficiency in Diplomacy, National Security, Foreign Policy, Environmental Advocacy, Extractive Industries, and aspiring expert in crisis response and disaster management. Her professional background includes extensive research on conflicts in Africa, participation in diplomatic affairs, disaster risk reduction as well as recovery and response to humanitarian crises.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing her Masters in Crisis Response and Disaster Management at the National Defense University-Kenya. With a knack for capacity building, leadership development, risk management and program management, she is committed to making a positive impact in her field as well as in other diverse sectors.

Boyani Momanyi

Communications Specialist

As a communication specialist, Boyani’s competencies include leveraging communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement. Her notable  achievements include running successful events, implementing scalable and sustainable structures, and effecting transformational change. “Everything I undertake is with the mindset to build for lasting impact because sustainability is at the heart of my work. I am driven by a desire to leverage communication not just for immediate results but for long-term success, ensuring that every effort contributes meaningfully to the organisation’s goals.” She brings a blend of strategic thinking, creative flair focused on leveraging communication strategies to enhance brand visibility and engagement. Boyani holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology  from the University of Nairobi.

Saturnin Modeste Agramako

Research Specialist, Central & West Africa

Saturnin Modeste AGRAMAKO is a dynamic independent researcher in peacebuilding and conflict analysis. He serves as an editorial assistant for Critical Investigations into Humanitarianism in Africa (CIHA) and as an assistant lecturer for the Humanitarianism and Conflict in Africa course with CIHA at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on post-conflict reconstruction, state fragility, religious extremism and violence, state-building, community peacebuilding, diplomacy, and policy analysis. He has conducted numerous research projects on topics such as gender, the proliferation of small arms, state fragility, democracy, and conflict in Africa, among others. Additionally, Modeste has participated in various public conferences across Africa.

Modeste previously worked as a research assistant at the Centre for Research Training and Publications (CRTP) at Hekima University College. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Peace Studies and International Relations from Hekima University College, a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Saint Augustin University of Kinshasa (USAKIN), and a Diploma in Moral Theology from Tangaza University College in Nairobi, Kenya.

Johannes Hilling

Research and Partnership Specialist

Johannes Hilling is currently pursuing a Masters programme in Global Studies with a Special focus  on Peace and Security in Africa at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), and the Global and European Studies Institute at Leipzig University (Germany). Johannes also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the University of Nairobi. He is currently engaged with the  European Commission in the areas of Cybersecurity and Capacity Building. Johannes is particularly passionate about Internet Governance in Peace and  Security, and  aspires to make the Internet a better place for everyone through informed policymaking.

Kefa Simiyu

Research Editor

Kefa Simiyu is a co-founder of the Economics Scholar Panel, an economics and public policy student-based think-tank at the University of Nairobi. He chairs the Advisory Board to the Economics Students Association of Kenya. He enjoys membership in the American Political Science Association, the Econometrics Society, Young Scholars Initiative under the Institute for New Economic Thinking (i-NET), and the Pan-African Young Economists Network (YEN) under the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. He is an early career researcher and mentee at the Gender, Growth, and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries (G2LM| LIC) initiative. His research interests lie at the intersection of gender, industrial organisation, development economics, and applied microeconomics.

Keffa holds a Masters of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Economics and Statistics from the University of Nairobi. He is a passionate scholar and a published author in key development and economics papers including at the Oxford University Press as well as the African Feminism and Development Journal.  He is also a regular presenter at academic and research conferences and workshops  including a recent presentation at the London School of Economics and the KIPPRA Annual Regional Conference among others. Keffa is the distinguished winner of the Central Bank of Kenya Inaugural Financial Inclusion Prize 2022, CGIAR Food Security Simulator Kenya Blog Competition 2nd Runners Up 2023, Lee Schipper Memorial Scholarship on Sustainable Transport Global Finalist 2022 and a Nominee  to the UNECA-Pan African Young Economists Network.