Our Team
SAMARITAN CAUCUS-AFRICA EXPERTS’ PROFILES
Lt. Col. (Rtd)Jotham Duncan Odera
Board of Management Member and Senior Advisor Physical Security and Blue Economy
Lt. Col (Rtd) Odera is a distinguished retired KDF Navy Officer. He has served in the Kenya Defence Forces for over 27 years in various capacities including; working with IGAD in South Sudan as an International Observer, as Directing Staff at Defence Staff College, Nairobi Kenya and Senior Command and Staff College, Jinja Uganda under the Kenya Military Training Assistance Team. Lt. Col Odera has worked on board Kenya Navy ships as Commanding Officer and has been headhunted by the State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Blue Economy to pioneer Captain of Fisheries Ship. His extensive experience in navigation in both blue waters and ports as well as safe control of the Ship make him a dynamic leader on matters Physical security and Blue Economy.
Mr. Marrow Gelffin
Guest
Deputy Chair BOM
Board of Management Member and Senior Advisor Physical Security, Policy and Governance.
Mr. Marrow boasts of over 35 years’ experience in field operations with proven ability to provide effective management and leadership. He has commanded multi-agency security operations comprising of the Kenya Army, Air force, Navy, National Police Services and National Intelligence Services. Additionally, he has been instrumental in several international operations including the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). He is a renown applied researcher in matters human security, policy and governance. He holds a BA in Security Management from the University of the Valley of Mexico. Mr. Marrow also holds a Masters of Arts in International Security and Strategy from Kings College London.
Mr. Eric M’mbohi
Lusaala
Chairman of the BOM
Board of Management Member and Senior Adviser Policy, Governance, Blue Economy and Advisory
Mr. Lusaala is the Chairperson of the Board of Management and has a dynamic and extensive military service tenure. He has over 35 years’ experience in production supply and control. His academic background includes International Studies, Strategic Studies and Sustainable Human Development. Mr. Lusaala has played critical roles in the Kenya Navy including overseeing the training of over 300 personnel and budget development and implementation. Additionally, he has served as the Defence Advisor accredited to Republic of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini at the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria. His impeccable record of service includes being a teaching directing staff (Lecturer) at the Defence Staff College Kenya and Head of Research at International Peace Support Centre (IPSTC) Kenya. His wealth of experience both locally and internationally make him an invaluable member of the Samaritan Caucus Africa Board of Management.
Mark Too (PhD)
Senior Adviser, Applied Research and Development
Mr. Mark Too is a seasoned security scholar and expert. He has a background in Human Security, Strategic Peacebuilding, Public Policy and International Relations. With nearly a decade of experience as a lecturer, he has played a key role in shaping national security frameworks that promote not only state stability but also the protection and empowerment of communities.
Currently serving as a lecturer at the National Defence University, Kenya, Mr. Too is committed to advancing knowledge in the areas of Security Governance, Civil-Military Relations, the evolving concept of Human Security mainly emphasizing the interlinkage between development, human rights and peace. His academic credentials include a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Nairobi complemented by a European Union Erasmus Exchange program at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain, where he specialised in international dimensions of Security, Blue Economy and Governance.
He is driven by a human-centred approach to security. Mr. Too continues to contribute to policy development, academic discourse and operational strategy with a vision for a peaceful, inclusive and secure Kenya and Africa at large.
Frederick Muganda Odolo
Board Member and Senior Advisor Human Security, Policy Researcher and Governance
As a renowned consultant, he is accredited for undertaking consultancy work for several organisations including the International Peace Support Training Centre, Nairobi Kenya. Mr. Odolo has facilitated several courses on Human Security and Governance. These include; the Conflict Analysis and Prevention Course at the Peace and Conflict Study School (PCSS), the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Course held at the Peace and Conflict Study School (PCSS)-Karen, Nairobi, Kenya, Lead Facilitator in the Protection of Civilians (POC) Course held at the Humanitarian Peace Support School, Nairobi, Kenya and the United Nations Military Experts on Mission (UNMEoM) Course held at the Humanitarian Peace Support School, Nairobi, Kenya.
Mr. Odolo was also Head of Fusion Cell-Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) in South Sudan where he took part in formulation of strategies for reorienting CTSAMM resources and manpower towards achieving set goals. The senior Officer also served as Team Leader MVT – Leer – CTSAMM in South Sudan.
As an International Observer-CTSAMM-South Sudan, he took part in monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the parties to the conflict.
Mr. Odolo served as Directing Staff (Lecturer) at the South Africa National War College where he took part in training of Senior Officers (Lt Col and Col) attending Joint Senior Command and Staff Programme (JSCSP).
He also performed the duties of Directing Staff (Lecturer) at the Defence Staff College Kenya entailing the training of Senior Officers (Maj and Lt Col) attending Grade 2 Command and Staff Course. Further, Mr. Odolo was deployed in a number of offices within the Ministry of Defence Kenya including Staff Officer 1 Operations, Directing Staff (Lecturer) at the Kenya Military Academy.
His academic credentials include; a Masters of Military Operational Art and Science from the Air University, Maxwell AFB Alabama, USA, Diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Nairobi. He also has numerous certifications from Africa and abroad. His wealth of knowledge and experience make him invaluable to the Samaritan Caucus Africa Board of Management.
Dr. Joseph Mutungi
Peace and Security
Dr. Joseph Mutungi is an accomplished academic and researcher in the areas of
peace and security studies. He holds a PhD and an MA in Peace and conflict studies. His research interests are in conflict management, peacebuilding, governance and security studies. He is currently a lecturer at the National Defense University Kenya, domiciled at the Joint Command and Staff College. He has over ten years’ experience in teaching and research at the university level, handling both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He has successfully supervised over ten postgraduate students to completion over
a period of three years and examined many others. His research output includes academic papers published in peer reviewed journals. He serves as a member of the editorial committee of the National Security Journal of National Defense University- Kenya. He also serves as an examiner for the Public Service Commission In addition to his academic responsibilities; Dr. Mutungi has undertaken consultancies in peace and conflict studies, wherein he
has conducted research, developed training content and facilitated various
workshops in Kenya, Somalia and Burundi. He has jointly written and won grants from the Association of Commonwealth
Universities (ACU), Nazarene Compassionate International and KNATCOM to train various stakeholders on peacebuilding competencies. He also represents his local community’ s education needs through his service in
Boards of Management of secondary schools.
SAMARITAN CAUCUS AFRICA STAFF
Col.(Rtd) Joseph Edet Adu
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
His career spans over 30 years in both public and private sector. Mr. Adu is a Security Strategist, Social Sciences researcher on matters Peace Building, Gender, Governance and Political Science.His main motivation entails sharing his experience and expertise with a view of transforming society. He specialized in the following areas: Command, Human Resource Management and Development; Project Management, DEI, Governance in Africa, Applied Research and peace support operations. As a private citizen, Mr. Adu served as the Chief Executive Officer at Prospect Peace Institute Africa, a consultancy based in Nairobi focused on matters Geopolitics and Security. He also consulted for various entities including UNDP and The Kenya Red Cross Society. Mr. Joseph Adu is now the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Samaritan Caucus Africa where he drives the overall mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals of the organization.
Stella Cherop Rono
Chief Operations Officer
Miss Rono is a dedicated and passionate professional with over six years of experience in Program Management, Research and Policy Analysis. Her areas of interest include Human Rights, Humanitarian Advocacy, Conflict Prevention and Peace, Environmental Protection and Animal Protection.She has experience working in both public and private entities. Miss Stella holds a BA Double Major in Political Science & Public Administration and Armed Conflict & Peace Studies from the University of Nairobi. She is also an M.A Candidate in Armed Conflict and Peace studies in the same institution. At Samaritan Caucus Africa, she oversees the daily operations and works with the CEO in strategic planning and execution.
Yusuf Abaganda
ICT and Communications Officer
Mr. Yusuf Abaganda is a professional, who has served both in the public sector and private sector, with a diverse academic foundation and work experience in ICT, human resource management, and communications. He has a degree in Political Science and Information Technology. Additionally, he has earned several certifications including; Diploma in Human Resource Management, a Certificate in Project Management, Technical Support Fundamentals, Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA) in Data Communication, and a Certificate in Entry-Level Software Development. Mr. Yusuf has over seven years professional experience in HR, ICT and Communication. At Samaritan Caucus Africa, he is the Head of ICT and Communications where he covers ICT strategy, manages infrastructure security and oversees digital communication platforms.