About – Angaza Vijiji

ABOUT US

Lighting the Path
for a Sustainable Future

Who We Are

Founded in 2016, Angaza Vijiji is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering Kenya’s rural communities. We work hand-in-hand with local people to strengthen capacity, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable use of natural resources.

Through community-driven initiatives in conservation, ecotourism, renewable energy, and food security, we create lasting social and environmental impact. Guided by strategic partnerships and a commitment to inclusive, innovative approaches, we strive to foster resilient, thriving communities across Kenya.

Our Vision

To be a catalyst for sustainable development in marginalized rural Kenya, transforming communities through innovative and inclusive solutions.

Our Mission

To empower marginalized communities by promoting sustainable enterprises, enhancing food security, fostering renewable energy, and supporting community-led conservation.

Our Approach

To advance long-term, community-led environmental stewardship, social well-being, and economic resilience through inclusive, innovative, and collaborative strategies.

“Angaza Vijiji was born out of a deep realization that true sustainable development must include those who are often left behind.”

EVARASTUS OBURA

Founder and CEO of Angaza Vijiji

OUR HISTORY

The vision for Angaza Vijiji emerged from our founder Evarastus Obura’s extensive experience in environmental outreach and education across Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the United States — revealing the need to make sustainability education accessible to rural communities.

A simple kitchen conversation between our founder and his fiancée sparked the beginning of Angaza Vijiji: while preparing an indigenous beef stew, they reflected on the loss of traditional practices and knowledge that once guided people’s relationship with nature, and how reviving it could help shape a more sustainable path forward.

This personal insight evolved into a larger vision, refined through global dialogues, conferences, and fellowships. It eventually led to the creation of Angaza Vijiji — meaning “Lighting up villages” in Swahili — an organization dedicated to illuminating the path toward inclusive, community-led sustainability.

The Advisory Board Members

Prof. Paul W. Webala

Advisory Board Member

Paul Webala (PhD) is a National Geographic Explorer, published author (Paul Webala – Google Scholar), and a Senior Lecturer of Wildlife Biology at Maasai Mara University, Kenya.

Paul Webala (Professor) is a National Geographic Explorer, published author (‪Paul Webala – ‪Google Scholar), and a senior lecturer of wildlife biology at Maasai Mara University, Kenya. He is an award-winning regional expert on small mammals, especially bats, with extensive fieldwork experience in Kenya, Rwanda and Australia, including baseline bat surveys and impact assessment over 60 months for potential multiple turbine projects. Collaborating with scientists from around the world, one of his principal interests are the processes that drive rarity and abundance of mammals in natural and human-dominated environments. This research involves behavioural, ecological, and systematic/taxonomic questions and is central to his work of promoting bat conservation in Africa. Prof. Paul has published extensively in reputable international peer-reviewed journals; He is co-chair of Bat Conservation Africa and a science advisor to Bat Conservation International (USA); and together with colleagues he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for science, capacity building, and biodiversity conservation projects in Africa. He is also a member of the Bat Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.

At Angaza Vijiji, Prof. Paul is the advisory board member on conservation, projects development and partnership building. Prof. Paul has a solid reputation as a mentor of students and upcoming conservation leaders with several of his students currently practicing conservation research, education and development inspired by his mentorship. Paul is also passionate about nature photography.

Dr Milton Omondi

Chairman, Advisory Board

Dr. Milton Omondi (MBCHB, MSc,) is a distinguished public health specialist and medical professional with extensive expertise in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other tropical diseases such as malaria.

Dr. Milton Omondi (MBCHB, MSc,) is a distinguished public health specialist and medical professional with extensive expertise in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other tropical diseases such as malaria. His career spans roles as an investigator in regulated clinical trials and public health evaluations. Currently, Dr. Milton serves as a Senior Programme Manager at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). Dr. Milton, previously worked with the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) as the Director of the Kenya AIDS Response Programme (KARP), and as the Director of the Henry Jackson Foundation (HJFMRI) HIV care and treatment programme in Kisumu West, Kenya.

Dr. Milton received a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB.) degree from the University of Nairobi and an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

At Angaza Vijiji, Dr. Milton is an Advisory Board Member focusing on the integration of mental and physical health activities into conservation, land use, and development programmes. In this capacity, he contributes to incorporating play and nature-based therapy into sustainable initiatives. He leverages community platforms to enhance public health awareness in his areas of expertise and mentors’ youth in career choices and involvement in sustainable development activities.

An avid footballer, Dr. Omondi advocates for the use of football in community outreach, particularly to promote mental and physical health within his areas of mandate.

Ms. Evelyne A. Kaumba

Advisory Board Member

Ms. Evelyn Kaumba has extensive experience in sustainable natural resource management, agroecology, and food security. Ms. currently working with International Rescue Committee (IRC) as the regional coordinator. Ms. Kaumba previously worked with Economic and Social Rights Centre as the Manager in charge of Research and Programmes Development as well as the Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM Kenya) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as a Programme Officer. She holds a bachelor degree in Agriculture, a MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nairobi and a Masters in Monitoring and Evaluation from the same University.

At Angaza Vijiji, Ms. Evelyn serves as the Advisory Board Member, focusing on promoting grassroots sustainability, particularly in agriculture, water, food security, and nutrition, as well as advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples. She also advises and offers her expertise on monitoring, evaluation and learning services when needed. Ms. Evelyne has an outstanding record of working with grassroots communities, community associations, and civil society organizations to promote extension learning in sustainable agriculture through systematic capacity development initiatives. She is passionate about programs that integrate human rights-based approaches, promoting inclusion and participation of grassroots communities in decision-making.

MEET OUR STAFF MEMBERS

''Where the rubber meets the road,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,''

Dr David Wechuli Barasa

Researcher

David’s research focuses on small mammals, a group that remains under-studied in Kenya and other parts of Africa. Concentrating on bats as his primary species

David’s research focuses on small mammals, a group that remains under-studied in Kenya and other parts of Africa. Concentrating on bats as his primary species, he explores patterns of bat distribution and conservation strategies in modified habitats.

Onyosi Newton Harrison

Staff

Onyosi Newton Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Natural Resources Management with IT from Maseno University.

Josephine Linet Ambaisi

Staff

Josephine Linet Ambaisi serves as the Project Coordinator and Gender Liaison Officer at Angaza Vijiji and is a successful outcome of the AV student and intern mentorship initiative.

Josephine earned a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife management from Maasai Mara University (MaMU) and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in wildlife management at the University of Eldoret (UOE).

Her current focus is on engaging communities in conservation efforts. Josephine possesses several years of experience working as a field assistant on wildlife-related projects, including community outreach initiatives.

She is a proud alumnus of the Rufford Small Grants and the prestigious Conservation Leadership Programme.

At Angaza Vijiji, Josephine has crucial responsibilities, such as collecting, analyzing, and reporting data on conservation initiatives, coordinates field-based conservation projects, including training sessions for capacity building.

Her work encompasses programs related to: wildlife research and conservation including the conservation of the Near Threatened Straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), and the Endangered Hildegarde’s tomb bat (Taphozous hildegardee), inclusive education, outreach efforts, clean cooking solutions, and sustainable enterprise development.

As a gender liaison officer, she incorporates gender-sensitive strategies into rural development and conservation efforts to enhance community involvement. As an exemplary product of the Angaza Vijiji intern mentorship program, Josephine also offers mentorship to incoming interns.

Josephine is passionate about hands-on skill development. In her position, she takes an active part in capacity-building training and experiential learning, which promotes an environment where people, species, and the planet all benefit from conservation efforts. This represents a “positive sum game” where sustainable development aligns seamlessly with conservation initiatives.

Raphael Baya Wanje

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer.

Raphael possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and is dedicated to utilizing biological concepts to foster positive change in

Raphael possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and is dedicated to utilizing biological concepts to foster positive change in community well-being. He also has a specialization in monitoring and biodiversity conservation. In his role at Angaza Vijiji, Raphael serves as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer, overseeing the establishment of thorough M&E frameworks that measure the effectiveness of the organization’s programs and ongoing initiatives. He evaluates project performance to guarantee the quality of data, merges scientific precision with practical data analysis to boost the effectiveness of AV programs, identifies potential challenges and risks, and offers insights to guide decision making. Furthermore, Raphael’s expertise allows him to provide technical assistance aimed at enhancing project outcomes ang generating reports for partnership presentations. He concentrates on data visualization, making sure that significant results are accessible to stakeholders, donors, and ‘local communities’ to support adaptive management practices. Raphael also connects community-driven methodologies with data collected from the field. The MEAL officer guarantees that Angaza Vijiji’s actions are Evidence-Based, adaptive to changes, and sustainable.

Evarastus Obura

CEO and Secretary to the Advisory Board

Evarastus works with and guides organizations, researchers, schools , community groups, individuals and other interested parties in

Evarastus works with and guides organizations, researchers, schools , community groups, individuals and other interested parties in learning for sustainable development.

Our Partners & Funders

Angaza Vijiji partners with government agencies, schools, bilateral donors, foundations and other international and national organizations and individuals to promote learning for sustainable development and inclusive societies.