People who lead alongside community.

Profile and contribution

Jackson Kibet Kirui has been part of Safina since 2022 and currently serves as Board Chair. His contribution has combined governance, local relationships and practical support that helps projects operate on the ground in Bomet.

Proposed initiative

Jackson is named project lead in Safina’s 2026 KCDF Young Innovators Challenge concept correspondence for the proposed AI Rural Futures Lab, connecting digital learning, community data, climate learning and local leadership.

Books, storage and school distribution. Safina’s April 2026 donor-introduction correspondence records that Jackson made warehouse space available for approximately one year after the education shipment arrived. The same correspondence records that he made vehicles available to support team movement during school book donations. Safina’s later project-report correspondence records more than 30,000 books reaching nine schools in Bomet.

Grassroots leadership. Safina’s correspondence identifies Jackson as founder of the Kitwek Youth Agenda, focused on youth participation, rights, governance and inclusion. The April 2026 correspondence states that this work received USAID grant support in 2013.

Development priorities. Jackson’s April 2026 strategic-engagement proposal describes priorities around school water access, youth livelihoods and technical skills, women’s enterprise, agribusiness and value addition, roads, electricity, renewable energy, digital connectivity and inclusive community participation. These are proposed priorities and are not presented as completed projects.

SDG connections. The work and priorities described above connect most directly with SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (infrastructure and innovation), SDG 16 (strong and inclusive institutions) and SDG 17 (partnerships).

Public-service aspiration. Safina’s April 2026 correspondence and Jackson’s strategic-engagement document describe him as pursuing the Member of Parliament seat for Chepalungu Constituency in the 2027 election cycle. This records a stated aspiration and does not independently verify formal candidate registration.

Safina Development is a non-partisan development organisation. Jackson’s political aspirations are included as factual biographical context; this profile is not an endorsement, campaign appeal, voting recommendation or request for political support.

Books & learning work →Jackson’s public page →

Profile

William Tarpai is a long-time Safina advisor whose work connects geospatial thinking, education, community development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Pollination Project’s public feature describes him as a retired United Nations professional and GIS expert.

Contribution to Safina

• Supports and advocates for the Books For Africa school initiative in Bomet.
• Encourages the use of GIS, StoryMaps and programme evidence to explain local needs and progress.
• Connects Safina with education, library and geospatial networks in Kenya and the United States.
• Encourages follow-up after resource delivery, with attention to continued learning value.

Professional interests

Mapping for development, school learning resources, community participation and practical SDG implementation.

Public work and further reading

Professional profile →Writing on the SDGs →Safina education work →

Profile

Daniel Kiprop Ruto is Safina’s founder and Executive Director. His community-development work connects women’s empowerment, sustainable agriculture, education access and technology. He leads organisational strategy, partnerships, resource mobilisation and programme coordination.

Selected work

• Sustainable Homesteads: women’s practical agriculture learning, demonstration activities and locally led climate resilience. The programme records 200 women trained.
• Books and learning resources: Safina’s final September 2026 report records 30,799 books reaching nine schools in Bomet, with nine computers and additional learning resources.
• Digital inclusion: connecting digital skills, mapping and community learning with practical development needs.
• Future development: the proposed Bomet Leadership Centre brings together learning, technology and community training. It is a development concept, not a completed facility.

Recognition and public record

• 2024: recipient of The Diana Award for social action.
• 2024: World Pulse Featured Initiative recognition connected to Sustainable Homesteads.
• 2025: The Pollination Project published a feature on the Sustainable Homesteads programme it supported.

Explore the work

Daniel’s story and work →Professional profile →Diana Award record →World Pulse feature →

Profile

Dr. Chuncui Fan brings research and evaluation experience to Safina’s advisory work. The University of California San Francisco lists her as a PhD-qualified Research Specialist in its Maternal and Infant Health Assessment programme at the Center for Health Equity.

Contribution to Safina

• Advises on evidence, reporting and programme learning.
• Encourages measurement of literacy and learning outcomes beyond delivery or attendance counts.
• Supports follow-up with schools on the continued use of books and learning resources.
• Contributes to international learning and partnership conversations.

Focus of the work

Her contribution connects careful research questions with practical programme follow-up: what resources reach schools, how they are used and what can be learned from that experience.

Professional record

UCSF staff profile →Education programme →Safina impact and evidence →

Profile

Kirthi Jayakumar is an AI policy researcher, peacebuilder and writer. Utrecht University lists her as an external PhD candidate. Her research connects emerging technology, law, gender equality and conflict transformation.

Education

• MA in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, University for Peace, Costa Rica.
• MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, Coventry University, supported by a Commonwealth Scholarship.

Selected professional work

• Leads Civitatem Resolutions, working on human-centred technology governance.
• Has contributed to the UN Women AI School steering committee and Women 7.
• Founded the Red Elephant Foundation and developed Saahas, a digital support tool for survivors of gender-based violence.
• Combines research, writing and creative work with a focus on inclusive innovation.

Connection to Safina

Kirthi contributes a global advisory perspective on gender equality, technology and community-led development.

Research and public profile

Utrecht University profile →Research and publications →Vital Voices profile →

Role at Safina

Sabina Jepkemboi Kipkorui serves on Safina’s board. Her contribution is to the organisation’s governance and board stewardship.

Area of contribution

The board guides Safina’s direction, accountability and stewardship. Sabina is part of this governance team, working alongside the other board members.

Explore Safina

Our organisation →Our work and accountability →

Profile and contribution

Tonny Kevin Koech serves as IT and Communications Officer at Safina. His work brings together technology, communications, digital skills development and community engagement, helping Safina strengthen its internal systems while extending the practical benefits of technology and education to the communities it serves.

Building Safina’s Digital Communication Systems

Tonny has helped establish and standardise Safina’s digital communication infrastructure, including organisational email systems, shared digital workspaces and social media platforms. His contribution has strengthened internal coordination, information management and communication with partners, communities and other stakeholders.

Technical Support and Systems Oversight

He provides ongoing technical support across the organisation and helps improve digital workflows used by Safina’s team. His work also supports the secure and responsible use of organisational platforms and information systems.

Advancing Digital Skills

Beyond Safina’s internal systems, Tonny contributes directly to digital inclusion through community training. He designs and facilitates practical digital skills sessions aimed at helping participants build confidence and make productive use of technology.

He has also worked as a digital skills trainer with ImpactHer Organization, training Kenyan entrepreneurs through practical demonstrations, presentations and learning materials designed to strengthen their digital capabilities.

Supporting Rural Education

Tonny has served as a Field Officer for Safina’s Rural Libraries Empowerment Project. Working with schools and community stakeholders, he has helped assess challenges affecting rural libraries, conducted field visits and project follow-ups, and contributed practical recommendations aimed at improving library use, access to learning resources and student engagement.

Community Development in Bomet

Tonny has also supported the implementation of Safina’s Pollination Project-supported sustainable homestead initiative in Bomet County. His responsibilities have included coordinating livelihood and sustainability activities, stakeholder communication, field implementation and reporting.

Across these roles, Tonny’s contribution reflects Safina’s approach of combining technology, education and community-led development to strengthen institutions and expand opportunities for underserved communities.

SDG Alignment: SDG 4 – Quality Education · SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth · SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions · SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Explore the work

Professional profile →Programme photographs →Explore Safina’s work →

Profile

Mercy Chebet Ruto supports Safina’s community engagement and programme activities while also contributing as a board member.

Contribution to Safina

• Supports community and programme work.
• Contributes an organisational perspective through board service.
• Connects day-to-day programme support with Safina’s wider development purpose.

Work to explore

Community programmes →Safina’s approach →

Profile

Daniel Kiprop Ruto is Safina’s founder and Executive Director. His community-development work connects women’s empowerment, sustainable agriculture, education access and technology. He leads organisational strategy, partnerships, resource mobilisation and programme coordination.

Selected work

• Sustainable Homesteads: women’s practical agriculture learning, demonstration activities and locally led climate resilience. The programme records 200 women trained.
• Books and learning resources: Safina’s final September 2026 report records 30,799 books reaching nine schools in Bomet, with nine computers and additional learning resources.
• Digital inclusion: connecting digital skills, mapping and community learning with practical development needs.
• Future development: the proposed Bomet Leadership Centre brings together learning, technology and community training. It is a development concept, not a completed facility.

Recognition and public record

• 2024: recipient of The Diana Award for social action.
• 2024: World Pulse Featured Initiative recognition connected to Sustainable Homesteads.
• 2025: The Pollination Project published a feature on the Sustainable Homesteads programme it supported.

Explore the work

Daniel’s story and work →Professional profile →Diana Award record →World Pulse feature →

Profile and contribution

Tonny Kevin Koech serves as IT and Communications Officer at Safina. His work brings together technology, communications, digital skills development and community engagement, helping Safina strengthen its internal systems while extending the practical benefits of technology and education to the communities it serves.

Building Safina’s Digital Communication Systems

Tonny has helped establish and standardise Safina’s digital communication infrastructure, including organisational email systems, shared digital workspaces and social media platforms. His contribution has strengthened internal coordination, information management and communication with partners, communities and other stakeholders.

Technical Support and Systems Oversight

He provides ongoing technical support across the organisation and helps improve digital workflows used by Safina’s team. His work also supports the secure and responsible use of organisational platforms and information systems.

Advancing Digital Skills

Beyond Safina’s internal systems, Tonny contributes directly to digital inclusion through community training. He designs and facilitates practical digital skills sessions aimed at helping participants build confidence and make productive use of technology.

He has also worked as a digital skills trainer with ImpactHer Organization, training Kenyan entrepreneurs through practical demonstrations, presentations and learning materials designed to strengthen their digital capabilities.

Supporting Rural Education

Tonny has served as a Field Officer for Safina’s Rural Libraries Empowerment Project. Working with schools and community stakeholders, he has helped assess challenges affecting rural libraries, conducted field visits and project follow-ups, and contributed practical recommendations aimed at improving library use, access to learning resources and student engagement.

Community Development in Bomet

Tonny has also supported the implementation of Safina’s Pollination Project-supported sustainable homestead initiative in Bomet County. His responsibilities have included coordinating livelihood and sustainability activities, stakeholder communication, field implementation and reporting.

Across these roles, Tonny’s contribution reflects Safina’s approach of combining technology, education and community-led development to strengthen institutions and expand opportunities for underserved communities.

SDG Alignment: SDG 4 – Quality Education · SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth · SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions · SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Explore the work

Professional profile →Programme photographs →Explore Safina’s work →

Profile

Faith Cheptoo supports Safina’s programme coordination and liaison work. She helped implement the book shipment and distribution project in Bomet County.

Contribution to Safina

• Supported implementation of the education resources initiative.
• Contributes to programme coordination and partner conversations.
• In an April 2026 Safina update, described taking on a UN liaison role to help identify cooperation opportunities and connect local work with international development conversations.

Programme context

Safina’s final September 2026 education report records 30,799 books reaching nine schools in Bomet, alongside nine computers and learning resources.

Education and libraries →Impact and evidence →

Role at Safina

Anila Bukhari supports Safina’s marketing work and communication around the organisation’s programmes and activities.

Area of contribution

Her role supports how Safina presents its work to wider audiences and helps people understand the organisation’s community-development programmes.

Explore the work

Safina programmes →Stories in photographs →

Role at Safina

Wesley Masongo is Safina’s Operations Officer. He supports day-to-day operations and coordination so programmes and organisational activities can run smoothly.

Area of contribution

His role centres on the practical coordination behind Safina’s work, connecting programme needs with organisational operations.

Explore the work

Current programmes →Contact Safina →

Profile

Delight Ratesh Mc’Dan is a youth advocate, artist and literacy champion. Her work includes book drives, peace activities, environmental action and programmes supporting children and young people.

Selected work and recognition

• 2024 Diana Award: recognised through Delight Book Club.
• Her award profile highlights book drives, peace walks, youth leadership, community clean-ups and tree planting.
• Her film Give It A Try was listed among the 2025 MY HERO International Film Festival winners.

Connection to Safina

Delight’s role as Youth and Literacy Advocate connects with Safina’s focus on learning, young people and community participation.

Diana Award record →MY HERO film recognition →Safina’s education work →

Profile

Caroline Gao is Safina’s Youth Communications Ambassador. She supports event planning, international youth engagement and social-media content under staff guidance.

Areas of contribution

• Youth engagement and communication.
• Event planning and social-media content.
• Connecting young people with Safina’s community-development work.

Interests

Women’s empowerment in health and technology, food security, and wider access to education and skills for young people.

Programmes she supports →Education and learning →

Profile

Dr. Chuncui Fan brings research and evaluation experience to Safina’s advisory work. The University of California San Francisco lists her as a PhD-qualified Research Specialist in its Maternal and Infant Health Assessment programme at the Center for Health Equity.

Contribution to Safina

• Advises on evidence, reporting and programme learning.
• Encourages measurement of literacy and learning outcomes beyond delivery or attendance counts.
• Supports follow-up with schools on the continued use of books and learning resources.
• Contributes to international learning and partnership conversations.

Focus of the work

Her contribution connects careful research questions with practical programme follow-up: what resources reach schools, how they are used and what can be learned from that experience.

Professional record

UCSF staff profile →Education programme →Safina impact and evidence →

Profile

William Tarpai is a long-time Safina advisor whose work connects geospatial thinking, education, community development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Pollination Project’s public feature describes him as a retired United Nations professional and GIS expert.

Contribution to Safina

• Supports and advocates for the Books For Africa school initiative in Bomet.
• Encourages the use of GIS, StoryMaps and programme evidence to explain local needs and progress.
• Connects Safina with education, library and geospatial networks in Kenya and the United States.
• Encourages follow-up after resource delivery, with attention to continued learning value.

Professional interests

Mapping for development, school learning resources, community participation and practical SDG implementation.

Public work and further reading

Professional profile →Writing on the SDGs →Safina education work →

Profile

Ezra Chesor is Safina’s Lead GIS and Geospatial Specialist. His background is in Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing, with work spanning digital mapping, spatial analysis and environmental questions.

Selected experience

• Safina volunteer work involving natural resources, environmental change and community infrastructure mapping.
• GIS work around menstrual-health access.
• Biomass and carbon analysis.
• Applying geospatial tools to climate resilience and evidence-based planning.

Professional record and programme links

Professional profile →Digital skills and mapping →

Profile

James Otieno Akello supports liaison, relationship-building and organisational coordination at Safina.

Community experience

Safina’s records identify James as the founder of the Integrated Youths Initiative–Kisumu. This connects his experience with wider youth development and community engagement.

Contribution to Safina

His liaison role supports the relationships and communication that help connect people with the organisation’s programmes.

Safina programmes →Connect with the team →

Profile

Mercy Chebet Ruto supports Safina’s community engagement and programme activities while also contributing as a board member.

Contribution to Safina

• Supports community and programme work.
• Contributes an organisational perspective through board service.
• Connects day-to-day programme support with Safina’s wider development purpose.

Work to explore

Community programmes →Safina’s approach →