Our Leadership

Jemimah Dawson Mabruki
Chairperson

Jemimah Dawson Mabruki
Chairperson
Work Experience
Current
Chairperson / Co-founder
Ark Development Initiative
- Nurturing and guiding the vision of Ark Development Initiative to ensure objectives are realized.
- Building and driving the vision for Ark Development Initiative.
- Overseeing and approving management plans to achieve organizational goals.
Previous Roles
Branch Manager
Kenya National Assurance
Deputy Mayor
2002–2007
Nominated Councilor
2002–2007
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
Insurance
Skills
- Secretarial Studies – Advanced Diploma - YWCA
- Higher Diploma in Paralegal Studies (ICJ)
Duties
- Nurturing and guiding the vision of Ark to ensure that objectives are realized
- Building the vision for Ark Development Initiative
- Approval of plans set by the management
Likes
- Empowering Youth and Women
- Supporting the needy
Dislikes
- Corruption
- Tribalism and Nepotism

Samson Mngereza Malasi
Vice Chairman

Samson Mngereza Malasi
Vice Chairman
Work Experience
Current Roles
- Farmer, Businessman
- Vice Chairperson – Ark Development Initiative
- Chairperson – Mbaghitiki Self-Help Group
- Member – Taita Taveta County Horticulture Outgrowers
- Farmer Representative – Taita Taveta County (Sub County Wundanyi)
- Community Mobilization
Duties
- Deputizing the Chair – Ark Development Initiative
- Soliciting for donations for the CBO
- Ensuring board decisions are implemented
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Community Development
- Farming
Skills and Experiences
- Certificate in Governance and Administration
- Loan Recovery
Likes
- Innovation
- Achieving the mission and vision
Dislikes
- Corruption
- Failure

Saro Charo Saro
Group CEO/Secretary

Saro Charo Saro
Group CEO/Secretary
Work Experience
Current
C.E.O
Ark Development Initiative (From 2010)
Previous Roles
- KREP Fedha Services
- ADRA Kenya
- Kenya Women Finance Trust
Duties
- Principle Holder of the Ark vision
- Strategic Planning and Institutional Development
- Incubating and Nurturing Ark Pillars towards Growth and Maturity
- Policy Development and Review
- Guiding the Team towards Actualizing Institutional Goals
- Seeking and Developing Strategic Partnerships
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Business and Cooperative Management
Skills
- Diploma in Cooperative Management (Cooperative College of Kenya)
- Certificate in Microfinance Operations (Microped - USAID-Kenya)
- Certificate in Human Rights and Social Justice (Bagamoyo University – Tanzania)
- Certificate in Green Energy and Low Carbon Development (DFC - Denmark)
Likes
- Meditation and Innovation
- Community Development
- Sports: Outdoor sports - Basketball, Table tennis
- Creative Writing:
- Fiction (Unpublished): The Turning Point, The Last Laugh, A Night Ain't Enough, The Serpent of Maktau
- Poems (Unpublished): Dreams from the Future (Changing Course, A Leaf Falls, Little Angels, The Moments We Shared, Worry Not My Brother Cry Not My Sister, The Road to Heaven, and Meant to Be)
Dislikes
- Neo-Colonialism
- Racialism, Tribalism, and Nepotism
- Corruption
- Suppression and Marginalization
- Poverty
Personal Maxim
Live and Learn. Work, Achieve and Laugh. Nothing is Impossible.

Sara Mwake Mwakina
Treasurer

Sara Mwake Mwakina
Treasurer
Work Experience
Current Roles
- Treasurer
- Committee Member – Voi CDF
- Farmer
- Business Lady
Duties
- Verifies financial plans
- Ensures that budgetary controls are maintained
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Farming and Business
Skills
- Teaching Experience
- Community Mobilization
Likes
- Honest and trustworthy people
- Innovation
- Empowering people
Dislikes
- Laziness
- Corruption

Shadrack Mwabili Mwalukuku
Committee Member

Shadrack Mwabili Mwalukuku
Committee Member
Work Experience
Current Roles
- Farmer
- Chairperson – Ark Wongonyi FSA
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Farming and Business
Skills
- Community Mobilization
Likes
- Honest and trustworthy people
- Innovation
- Empowering people
Dislikes
- Corruption

Catherine Wanzaa
Committee Member

Catherine Wanzaa
Committee Member
Work Experience
Current Roles
- Farmer
- BoD Member – Ark Buguta FSA
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Farming and Business
Skills
- Community Mobilization
Likes
- Honest and trustworthy people
- Innovation
- Empowering people
Dislikes
- Corruption

Mary Kabura Dwaluma
Committee Member

Mary Kabura Dwaluma
Committee Member
Work Experience
Current Roles
- Farmer
- Business Lady
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Farming and Business
Skills
- Community Mobilization
Likes
- Honest and trustworthy people
- Innovation
- Empowering people
Dislikes
- Corruption

Mwangemi Justine Mghendi
GM - AGHL, 1st Vice Secretary

Mwangemi Justine Mghendi
GM - AGHL, 1st Vice Secretary
Work Experience
Current Roles
- General Manager - Ark Green Homes Ltd.
- Vice – ADI CBO
Previous Roles
- Krep Bank Ltd (Branch Manager – Embu, Mombasa)
- Yehu Microfinance Trust (Operations Manager)
Duties
- Marketing Ark
- Strategic and Business Planning
- General Operations and Staff Management
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Ark Operations
- Integration, Partnerships & Identification of Existing Economic Opportunities
- Staff Management – Recruitment & Training
- Establishment of New Business
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Cooperative Audit and Training
- Business Management & Entrepreneurship
- Microfinance Operations
Skills
- Bachelor in Business Management & Entrepreneurship (Kenya Methodist University)
- Diploma in Cooperative Audit
- Certificate in Microfinance Operations
- Certificate in Banking Team Building
Likes
- Community Banking and Development
- Farming
- New Adventures/Discoveries and Travelling
Dislikes
- Dishonesty and Laziness
- Racialism, Tribalism and Nepotism
- Corruption
- Poverty

Joyce Mwaka Bruce
GM - Samil, 2nd Vice Secretary

Joyce Mwaka Bruce
GM - Samil, 2nd Vice Secretary
Work Experience
Current Role
- General Manager – Safina Micro Innovations Ltd (SAMIL - CFSAs)
Previous Roles
- ADI CBO – Business Development and Training Manager
- ADI CBO – Regional Manager – Lower Coast
- KREP Fedha Services - FSA Manager
Duties
- In charge of the operations in SAMIL
- Loan appraisal and approval
- Supports the CEO in nurturing Ark Vision
- Development and review of policies
- In charge of Performance Management
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Business Management
Skills and Experiences
- Certificate in Accounting
- Group Lending
- Community Mobilization
- Institutional Building
- Market Research
Likes
- Reading Bible
- Singing Gospel Songs
- Honesty
Dislikes
- Corruption
- Dishonesty
Personal Maxim
“The Future is Here and Simple.”

Richard Mwangome Mbui
Finance Officer

Richard Mwangome Mbui
Finance Officer
Work Experience
Current Role
- Finance Manager – SAMIL
Previous Roles
- ACK St. Simeon CDC (Project Accountant)
- East Africa Aquatech Drilling Ltd (Finance and Administration Executive)
- Exotic Destinations Ltd (Snr. Accountant)
Duties
- Planning and Budgeting for Ark
- Liaison with external auditors to undertake Audits
- Monitoring and evaluation of financial performance
- Management of tax Ark matters
- Reporting on financial performance
- Appraisal of financial plans
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Cooperative Audit and Training
- Management, Finance and Banking
Skills
- Bachelor in Business Management (Banking and Finance)
- Diploma in Cooperative Audit (Cooperative College of Kenya)
- CPA (K)
Likes
- Reading – Christian faith-based books
- Watching Sci-Fi Movies
Dislikes
- Lies
- Mischief
The Management Team

Saro Charo Saro
Group CEO

Saro Charo Saro
Group CEO
Work Experience
Current
C.E.O
Ark Development Initiative (From 2010)
Previous Roles
- KREP Fedha Services
- ADRA Kenya
- Kenya Women Finance Trust
Duties
- Principle Holder of the Ark vision
- Strategic Planning and Institutional Development
- Incubating and Nurturing Ark Pillars towards Growth and Maturity
- Policy Development and Review
- Guiding the Team towards Actualizing Institutional Goals
- Seeking and Developing Strategic Partnerships
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Business and Cooperative Management
Skills
- Diploma in Cooperative Management (Cooperative College of Kenya)
- Certificate in Microfinance Operations (Microped - USAID-Kenya)
- Certificate in Human Rights and Social Justice (Bagamoyo University – Tanzania)
- Certificate in Green Energy and Low Carbon Development (DFC - Denmark)
Likes
- Meditation and Innovation
- Community Development
- Sports: Outdoor sports - Basketball, Table tennis
- Creative Writing:
- Fiction (Unpublished): The Turning Point, The Last Laugh, A Night Ain't Enough, The Serpent of Maktau
- Poems (Unpublished): Dreams from the Future (Changing Course, A Leaf Falls, Little Angels, The Moments We Shared, Worry Not My Brother Cry Not My Sister, The Road to Heaven, and Meant to Be)
Dislikes
- Neo-Colonialism
- Racialism, Tribalism, and Nepotism
- Corruption
- Suppression and Marginalization
- Poverty
Personal Maxim
Live and Learn. Work, Achieve and Laugh. Nothing is Impossible.

Mwangemi Justine Mghendi
GM - AGHL

Mwangemi Justine Mghendi
GM - AGHL
Work Experience
Current Roles
- General Manager - Ark Green Homes Ltd.
- Vice – ADI CBO
Previous Roles
- Krep Bank Ltd (Branch Manager – Embu, Mombasa)
- Yehu Microfinance Trust (Operations Manager)
Duties
- Marketing Ark
- Strategic and Business Planning
- General Operations and Staff Management
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Ark Operations
- Integration, Partnerships & Identification of Existing Economic Opportunities
- Staff Management – Recruitment & Training
- Establishment of New Business
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Cooperative Audit and Training
- Business Management & Entrepreneurship
- Microfinance Operations
Skills
- Bachelor in Business Management & Entrepreneurship (Kenya Methodist University)
- Diploma in Cooperative Audit
- Certificate in Microfinance Operations
- Certificate in Banking Team Building
Likes
- Community Banking and Development
- Farming
- New Adventures/Discoveries and Travelling
Dislikes
- Dishonesty and Laziness
- Racialism, Tribalism and Nepotism
- Corruption
- Poverty

Joyce Mwaka Bruce
GM– Samil

Joyce Mwaka Bruce
GM– Samil
Work Experience
Current Role
- General Manager – Safina Micro Innovations Ltd (SAMIL - CFSAs)
Previous Roles
- ADI CBO – Business Development and Training Manager
- ADI CBO – Regional Manager – Lower Coast
- KREP Fedha Services - FSA Manager
Duties
- In charge of the operations in SAMIL
- Loan appraisal and approval
- Supports the CEO in nurturing Ark Vision
- Development and review of policies
- In charge of Performance Management
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Business Management
Skills and Experiences
- Certificate in Accounting
- Group Lending
- Community Mobilization
- Institutional Building
- Market Research
Likes
- Reading Bible
- Singing Gospel Songs
- Honesty
Dislikes
- Corruption
- Dishonesty
Personal Maxim
“The Future is Here and Simple.”

Richard Mwangome Mbui
Finance Officer

Richard Mwangome Mbui
Finance Officer
Work Experience
Current Role
- Finance Manager – SAMIL
Previous Roles
- ACK St. Simeon CDC (Project Accountant)
- East Africa Aquatech Drilling Ltd (Finance and Administration Executive)
- Exotic Destinations Ltd (Snr. Accountant)
Duties
- Planning and Budgeting for Ark
- Liaison with external auditors to undertake Audits
- Monitoring and evaluation of financial performance
- Management of tax Ark matters
- Reporting on financial performance
- Appraisal of financial plans
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Cooperative Audit and Training
- Management, Finance and Banking
Skills
- Bachelor in Business Management (Banking and Finance)
- Diploma in Cooperative Audit (Cooperative College of Kenya)
- CPA (K)
Likes
- Reading – Christian faith-based books
- Watching Sci-Fi Movies
Dislikes
- Lies
- Mischief

Pauline Walugha Mghanga
Operations Officer

Pauline Walugha Mghanga
Operations Officer
Work Experience
Current Role
- Business Development & Training Manager - Ark Development Initiative
Previous Roles
- Ark Development Initiative – Branch Manager, Unit Manager
- Mgange FSA – Loans Officer
Duties
- Development of appropriate products and services that match the members’ needs
- Training needs assessment – Staff and Members
- Undertaking of products and services review
- Market research for Ark
- Sourcing for products and services suppliers
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Finance
Skills
- Diploma in Accountancy – Coast Institute of Technology
- Certificate in Delinquency Management - MicroSave
- Certificate of Participation in Strategic Planning – Coop Consultancy Services Ltd
- Certificate of Participation ToT, VCM & NRM - MESPT
Likes
- Community Development Activities
- Youth/Women Activities
- Sports: Volleyball
- Reading Novels
- Watching Movies and Documentaries
- Nature Walking
Dislikes
- Corruption and Nepotism
- Idling
Personal Maxim
“To be the best, it takes, Commitment, Honesty, and Sacrifice.”

Marsela Wali Mwambela
Accounts Assistant

Marsela Wali Mwambela
Accounts Assistant
Work Experience
Current Role
- Accounts and Administrative Assistant
Previous Roles
- Ark Werugha FSA (Cashier, Book Clerk, and Unit Manager)
Duties
- Bookkeeping
- Maintaining member’s records
- Coordinating between suppliers and FSAs
- Sourcing for suppliers
- Preparation of suppliers’ payments
- Maintain staff administrative and financial records
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Finance
Skills and Experiences
- CPA 2
- Bookkeeping
- Microfinance – Group lending
- Certificate of Participation ToT, VCM & NRM - MESPT
Likes
- Community Development
- Sports: Football, Volleyball
- Reading novels
- Listening to music
Dislikes
- Racialism, Tribalism and Nepotism
- Corruption
- Poverty
Personal Maxim
“The sky is always yours, you choose to fly like a bird or shine like a star.”

Loice Wakesho Mwangeka
Senior Credit Officer

Loice Wakesho Mwangeka
Senior Credit Officer
Work Experience
Current Role
- Senior Credit Officer
Previous Roles
- Ark Vosa FSA (Credit Officer and Unit Manager)
Duties
- Evaluating clients’ creditworthiness
- Appraising and approving loans
- Strategizing on how the organization shall minimize bad debts and increase revenues from loans
- Training credit staff on the best lending practices
Activities of Ark Development Initiative
- Economic Empowerment
- Food Security
- Low-Cost Housing
- Natural Resource Management
- Socio-Cultural Enhancement and Integration
Profession
- Finance
Skills and Experiences
- Diploma in Business Management
- Microfinance – Group lending
Likes
- Helping the marginalized in the community
- Reading novels
- Listening to music
Dislikes
- Corruption
- Poverty