Our Board

Lucy Kayiwa - Founder

Lucy, or “Shosho Manyanga” as the children call her (meaning "cool granny" in Swahili), has been the driving force behind St. Vincent’s work since the beginning. Lucy founded St. Vincent’s with a group of volunteers and currently serves as Director. With over 40 years of experience teaching primary school in Kenya, Lucy has dedicated her life to ensuring that even the most vulnerable have access to education. In 2000, she played a vital role in establishing our Nursery School  and set up the Rescue Centre 2004. 

Mulaa Baraza – Board Secretary

Mulaa is a dedicated teacher and community worker holding a diploma in Philosophy from St. Augustine's Seminary. He has been with St. Vincent’s since 2023, with a strong background in critical thinking, ethics, and education. Involved in program development and community impact, he actively contributes his expertise and knowledge to strengthen and empower the organization's activities. His aspiration is to help catalyse change programs that empower people and foster long-term sustainable   development in the community.

Gonzaga Luga’yia – Chairman of the Board

Gonzaga is a passionate professional with a diploma in Industrial Chemistry from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) and several years of experience in entrepreneurship and community building.  He joined St. Vincent’s in 2005, eager to drive positive change through empowerment, education, and sustainable projects. Committed to helping under-resourced communities, he has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a deep understanding of grassroots outreach, and a lifelong dedication to developing opportunities that foster growth, autonomy, and lasting impact.

Robert Oloo - Board Treasurer

Robert has over ten years of experience working in accounting in Kenya. Currently, Robert works in the Office of the President as an accountant. A Kenyan country national, Robert has been involved with St. Vincent’s since he was in high school and has served on the organization’s Board since 2000. 


Levix Aloo -Board Member

Levix is a hardworking and committed board member, career advisor, and educator with several years of experience in youth development and community empowerment. Having been a beneficiary of St. Vincent’s in his younger years and the recipient of a Desmond Tutu full scholarship on Semester at Sea, Levix is passionate about the work of St. Vincent’s. He brings essential experience in mentorship, program development, community engagement, and youth empowerment. His areas of interest include driving increased access to education, life skills mentoring, and comprehensive care for vulnerable children. Through his leadership and personal experience, Levix is instrumental in shaping programs that empower and transform marginalized communities. 

Clemency Hellen Okena- Board Member

Clemency is a seasoned development professional with over 20 years of experience spanning the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Relations. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute and a certified Security Risk Management Professional (SRMP-C). Driven by a deep passion for volunteering and capacity building, Clemency is particularly committed to empowering others through training and coaching.


Peninnah Nzioka- Board Member

Peninnah is an experienced social worker with several years of dedicated service to social change and community development. She has endeavoured to serve vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, through activities that promote social justice, access to basic services, and community empowerment. As a member of the board, she brings an in-depth understanding of grassroots challenges and practical expertise to formulate and implement effective social programs. She offers valuable experience in case management, community mobilization, psychosocial support, and stakeholder relations. Her empathetic personality, reinforced by professional training, ensures that organizational strategies are always in tandem with the real needs of the communities served. As a board member,  she acts to increase program relevance, accountability, and participatory development.

Christina Stellini - Advisor

Christina Stellini began her journey with St. Vincent’s in 2009 after meeting its Director, Lucy Kayiwa. At a time when the organization was on the brink of closure, Christina stepped in to launch a vital fundraising campaign in the United States. Her dedication has continued ever since—she has made multiple visits to Kibera and works closely with the board and staff to support the organization’s mission through both strategic guidance and ongoing fundraising.


In her professional life, Christina serves as the Chief Partnership Officer at Muso Health, where she leads global collaborations to advance health equity. Her deep commitment to community-based care and sustainable development informs all aspects of her work, both locally and globally.

Henry Maiga- Board Member

Henry is a serial entrepreneur, career coach, and IT professional with experience in technology, business development, and talent acquisition. He is passionate about empowering people and organizations and has made a career out of matching technology with human potential. As a board member, Henry brings valuable  experience in strategic planning, digital transformation, and workforce development. His experience in guiding startups and established organizations through technological evolution makes him a great asset to drive progressive policies and initiatives. His experience in career coaching and mentorship also allows him to make knowledgeable contributions towards organizational development and community outreach.