Prof. Mabel Opanda Imbuga Ph.D., EBS is a renowned professor and scientist who has made great strides in the education sector in Kenya. She is the widow of the renowned Prof. Francis Imbuga, a well-known writer, literature scholar, teacher, and professor at the Kenyatta University. She is the mother of five children and a proud grandmother.
Appointed as the Chief Executive Officer on 30th May, 2018, Mr. Okioma has worked as a Senior Officer at the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government having risen to the rank of Secretary, in charge of Rehabilitation and Integration. He has a Master’s Degree in International Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Government. He was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(l) of the NACADA Act, 2012 and is the Secretary to the Board in his capacity as the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
Appointed on 9th August 2018, He is currently the Director Administration in the State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education in the Ministry of Education. He is the Alternate Director to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and represents the ministry at the Board. He was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(e) of the NACADA Act, 2012.
Appointed on 16th December 2013, Dr. Ombacho is the current Director, Public Health at the Ministry of Health as well as the Alternate to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health. He was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(d) of the NACADA Act, 2012.
Appointed on 6th March 2013, Dr. Hamisi holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nairobi and has attended several police and leadership development trainings both locally and abroad. He is the current Officer In-Charge at the Anti-Narcotics Unit. Has previously served as Commandant, Kenya Police Dog Unit and has over 20 years’ experience in the Civil Service. He was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(g) of the NACADA Act, 2012 and represents the Anti-Narcotics Police Unit at the Board.
Appointed on 6th June 2018, Mr. Muasya is an Artist with passion for community outreach programs targeting the youth in and out of learning institutions to inculcate behavior change and mentorship. He is an Independent Member and was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(h) of the NACADA Act, 2012.
Appointed on 6th June 2018, Mr. Ogalo is currently the National Coordinator of Fellowship of Christian Unions (Focus-Kenya). He holds a Bachelor of Education (Arts), Masters of Divinity, Biblical Studies and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the same field. He is a Teaching Fellow at Africa International University teaching undergraduate students and offering tutorials to students (Hebrew language). Mr. Ogalo is also a Board Member in many institutions and has a wealth of experience in leadership and strategic management. He is a Religious Representative and was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(i) of the NACADA Act, 2012
Appointed on 4th November 2016, Ms. Rashid is a renowned Coast Anti-Drugs Activist for the last two decades. She is also the Chairlady of Kenya Muslim Women Alliance and has previously served as a Treasurer of Maendeleo ya Wanawake (Coast region). Currently, she heads the Coast Community Anti-Drug Coalition. She is a Religious Representative and was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(i) of the NACADA Act, 2012.
Appointed on 4th November 2016, Ms. Moitallel holds a Diploma in Nursing and has previously worked with the Ministry of Health. Currently, she is a Health Director at My Chosen Vessels Organization. She is an Independent Director at the Board and was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(h) of the NACADA Act, 2012.
Priscilla Thairu Gathiga holds an Executive MBA, BA, Hon (Sociology) University of Nairobi and alumni of Harvard University Executive Leadership Program. She is an accomplished professional with over 25 YEARS of experience garnered from five (5) countries in East and Southern African. Currently serving as the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER of the Kenya Girl Guides Association, the largest and oldest girl’s only organisation in Kenya supporting girls and young women social & economic empowerment. She previously served as the CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER of the Micro-Enterprise Support Program Trust (MESPT); a premier development institution that focuses on value chain development, enterprise development, Financing and Green Growth with special interest in Youth and Women. She is touted for having developed MESPT’s award-winning business model that has transformed the lives of thousands of small holder farmers across Kenya while creating jobs to spur economic growth in the country. Ms. Gathiga spearheaded acquisition of US$ 10+ million from DANIDA and GIZ/SNV Netherlands. These are multi-year grants that necessitated high levels of program conceptualization. She initiated and managed multi partner relationships locally and internationally and in both private & public sector.
Prior to this, Ms. Gathiga was the Regional Manager for Eastern and Coast at MESPT in which capacity she initiated various interventions including the renowned National Green Growth Conference that brings together diverse stakeholders to advance the country’s green agenda, pioneered the Green Enterprise Challenge that identifies and promotes innovative green solutions by youth and women. Ms. Gathiga has also held other senior local and international assignments like Operations Manager for Small and Micro-enterprise Programme (SMEP-Microfinance Bank), Management and Business Development Advisor for Skill share International in Lesotho and Botswana; Women’s Program Co-Ordinator for International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Volunteer (UNV), among others.
Aspects of Ms. Gathiga’s wealth of expertise and rich experience include strategy formulation and execution, project management, capacity building, Microfinance operations, agribusiness development, Organization development, resource mobilisation, networking and negotiation.
Head of Division -Youth Innovation, Talent and Enterprise Development
State Department for Youth
Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs
MBA-Finance Option (University of Nairobi)
Bachelor of Education- Business Studies and Economics Option (University of Nairobi)
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration, Finance option at JKUAT
Over 26 years of progressive experience in Civil Service mainly dealing with youth Has held various positions in the Civil Service including teaching in Kenya High School, Mombasa National Polytechnic, St. Paul’s University as a Part-Time Lecturer among others, Ministry of Trade (Kenya Institute of Business Training), Ministry of Education (State Department for Vocational and Technical Training) in various Departments (Directorate of Technical Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Directorate of Research, Management and Development, TVET- Curriculum development, assessment and certification council CDACC, Directorate of Technical Education) and currently in the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs (State Department for Youth Affairs) Involved preparation of various policy documents in Government (Handbook for Accreditation TVET Institutions, February 2011; Guidelines for Development of Competency-Based Curriculum for TVET, 2015; among others
Appointed on 6th December, 2019, Dr. Owiti is a seasoned Psychiatrist, Mental Health Advocate and writer. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBchB) both from the University of Nairobi. A professional member of Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, (KMPDU) He is a WHO Technical Consultant in the Guidelines for the Psychosocially Assisted Pharmacological Treatment of Opioid Dependence; a Sub-Saharan expert in Injectable Drug Use (IDU) and a Medical Consultant in IDU HIV drug-users in outreach programmes in Nairobi and Mombasa. He was appointed vide Section 6 (1)(j) of the NACADA Act, 2012 and represents the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.
Hon. Esther Nyambura Gathogo was appointed vide a Gazette Notice dated 10th December 2020 (No.
10464) by Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National
Government. She is an accomplished and creative Businesswoman and leader possessing multifaceted
experience and proven ability to re-energize and restructure organizations, develop strategic initiatives and
capture emerging opportunities. She is a results-oriented, decisive leader adept at forging lucrative
relationships with key partners to achieve sustained growth.