Code for Democracy: A Youth Civic Tech Hackathon & Intergenerational Dialogue for Democratic Renewal in Kenya

Dr. Charles Onyango Wambia, OGW, is a seasoned public sector leader with over 36 years of distinguished service in administration, governance, and regulatory enforcement. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of the National Heroes Council, where he oversees the implementation of the Council’s mandate to identify, honor, and celebrate Kenya’s heroes and heroines. He has previously held key leadership roles, including Director of Administration in the State Department for Culture and Heritage, and long-serving CEO/Director of the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB), where he pioneered regulatory frameworks and modernization efforts in Kenya’s gaming sector.

Dr. Wambia holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctorate in Mediation and Reconciliation (American University of Peace and Governance, USA), a Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities (United Graduate College and Seminary International, USA), and a Doctorate in Commander of Peace (I Change Nations, Nairobi Chapter). He also earned a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration (Kenyatta University), an MBA (Moi University), and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Geography (University of Nairobi). He has complemented his academic achievements with specialized training in Strategic Leadership and Development at the Kenya School of Government and in Gaming Finance and Regulation at Atlantic City Community College, USA. Throughout his career, Dr. Wambia has played a pivotal role in national projects and reforms. Notably, he contributed to the establishment of the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund (SASDF) in 2014, supported the operationalization of the Kenya Heroes Act (2014) which established the National Heroes Council, and introduced mobile betting platforms in Kenya by licensing pioneer companies such as SportPesa and Betway.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, he has been actively involved in humanitarian and community initiatives, including supporting local schools with infrastructure development, electrification projects, and youth empowerment programs aimed at improving security, combating substance abuse, and nurturing talent. Dr. Wambia is recognized for his integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to deliver under pressure. His leadership continues to shape Kenya’s governance, cultural heritage, and recognition of national heroes.

Claudia Masah is a development professional with over five years of relevant experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, covering the whole spectrum of conflict prevention, fragility management, and peacebuilding. Ms. Masah has designed and implemented programs and developed training modules on youth, peace and security, social cohesion, PCRD, and dialogue forums. Ms. Masah has been involved in cutting-edge research whose outcomes have shaped policies and enriched academic discourse both at the national and regional levels. Her research specialties include Conflict Prevention, Resolution and Management, Governance and Development- areas of specialization on which she has peer-reviewed published works.

Immaculate Amoit is a Human Rights Defender, Gender Specialist, a Reproductive and Gender Justice Advocate; an Afro-optimist. She is the Founder and Executive Director of WETEC Kenya and a committed Women’s Rights Activist; at www.weteckenya.org.  Since 2014, Immaculate has dedicated her efforts to supporting girls and young women leadership and enterprise development through her grassroots non-profit, WETEC, in Kenya and other platforms via collaboration and partnerships. She advocates for increased political participation and leadership at grassroots level, access to services and information for adolescent girls and young women in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Her impactful work within communities and with young women has led to her being a panelist at high-level events, including the UN Women Meeting on “Taking the Lead: High-Level Meeting on Championing Women and Girls’ Priorities in the HIV Response” on October, 2022, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As published by Un Women on ;Investing in adolescent girls’ and young women’s leadership and voice in the HIV response: Case studies and experiences.  Immaculate also contributed as a panelist with Save the Children on “Improving Outcomes for Adolescent Mothers” at the International Maternal and Neonatal Health Conference 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Diana is currently the Executive Director of Youth for SDGs Kenya, an organisation committed to facilitating youth engagement in policy and sustainable development work at national, regional, and global levels. She is also a co-founder and co-host of the ‘Perspective Podcast,’ a climate talk show that addresses various Sustainable Development Goals, climate action being one of them. Diana has over 5 years of experience in advocacy and program coordination having previously served as Program Coordinator at the Horn of Africa Youth Network, where she spearheaded the She Leads Africa Regional Program. A project that aims to empower girls and young women, enabling their meaningful participation and engagement in decision-making processes across Africa. Diana has co-authored a published policy brief on the Initiatives and Efforts to Institutionalise the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, a brief that analyses the current youth, peace and security agenda on the African continent by looking at the various efforts and initiatives taken at the institutional level to advance the agenda.

David is a Youth Governance and Policy specialist, mentor and Governance activist with almost 11 years of experience. He has facilitated workshops and trainings for civil society organizations, young politicians, and regional diplomats in East, South, and North & Horn of Africa region. David has extensive experience in research, Policy Development, Advocacy, publication, curriculum development/review, project evaluation and rapid assessment. Specifically, David has fostered collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities including COMESA, EAU, AU and IGAD Secretariat, regional youth leaders and deployment partners to support the development of the Youth Policies and Engagement Strategies. These policy and strategy frameworks provide core pillars for the promotion and prioritization of youth rights and welfare in the Horn of Africa and Africa region.

Mr. Richard Muteti is a nationally and regionally recognized thought leader in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development, informal sector transformation, and entrepreneurship advocacy. With over two decades of impact, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the informal economy across Kenya, the East African Community (EAC), and the COMESA region. He has served for over 19 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations, leading Kenya’s vibrant informal sector. He currently chairs the Skilled Artisans and Informal Apprenticeship Association – Kenya Chapter and serves as the Regional Project Manager for the EAC MSMEs Trade Fairs, promoting cross-border trade and market access for small businesses across East Africa. Mr. Muteti heads the secretariat of the Confederation of Micro and Small Enterprises Organization – East Africa (CMSEO-EA), the apex body for MSMEs in the region, and is a central figure in shaping enterprise policy and regional integration.

Daniel Iberi is a Strategic Communications Specialist with over a decade of experience in communication, research dissemination, and public engagement. He currently serves as the Communications Coordinator for East Africa at Afrobarometer, where he leads efforts to amplify citizen voices on governance, democracy, and development across the region. Previously, Daniel was the Associate Director of Communications and Outreach at the HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies, a leading policy think tank covering 13 countries in the Horn of Africa. He has also consulted for organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision, Concern Worldwide, International Medical Corps, and Save the Children, focusing on communication strategies that integrate the Theory of Change and Social Impact frameworks. Alongside his professional practice, Daniel has taught communication and journalism as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Multimedia University of Kenya, and Al Mustapha International College. His work has been published widely in regional outlets such as the Daily Nation, The Standard, and People Daily.