EVERETT WAKOLI, PRESIDENT
Everett Wakoli is serving his third term as the President of Abeingo Association Canada. He holds a B. Sc. (Mech. Eng.), MBA and Post-graduate Certificate in Cane Sugar Manufacturing. He is an engineer by profession and worked in both the public and private sector in Kenya for over 20 years. He has worked in the processing industry in various management capacities for Operations & Maintenance both in Kenya and Canada. He is currently working with the American Sugar Refiners , Redpath Sugars, in Toronto. Everett has a passion for mobilizing people in ways that empower and enable them to be self-reliant. While still living in Eldoret city, Kenya he spearheaded the formation of Oasis Residents Association in the newly created estate of Oasis, and served as its founding Vice Chairman.
When he migrated to Canada, he first settled in Mississauga with his family and joined the Malton Baptist Church. He volunteered in various capacities in the congregation working with the youth group as the Director of youth programs and also served as a member of the church board between 2004-2006.
He was among the founders of Abeingo Association Canada and previously served as its Vice President between 2004-2006 and President from 2006-2010. He was the founding President of Inua Community Assistance & Development Services Inc., the charitable arm of Abeingo Association Canada. He has volunteered in a number of different capacities in the Kenyan-Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area, acting as a resource in focus groups and during elections. One of the direct results of his community involvement is the Kiswahili teaching program which was first initiated at the Jane/Finch area run by a group of volunteers from the Abeingo Association of Canada but was later taken over by the Toronto District Schools Board.
LOISE K NJUGUNA, VICE-PRESIDENT
Loise Njuguna is the Vice-President of Abeingo Association of Canada. Loise has been a resident in Canada since 2000 and currently lives in Brampton, Ontario. Loise is a registered nurse and has worked in various hospitals in Canada. Over the years, Loise has used her expertise to educate the community on various aspects of health including healthy living and nutrition, and has been a facilitator in Abeingo seniors program leading initiatives designed to provide information and support for seniors within the community. She has also participated in community mental health programs. Her passion includes ensuring that youth are provided with opportunities that can improve their future. She has served as a mentor for many youth of African origin providing counselling on life issues as well as career opportunities.
DR. JOSEPH MULONGO WANYAMA, SECRETARY
Joseph is the secretary of Abeingo Association of Canada. Joseph has been a resident of Ontario Canada since 2000. Joseph holds a Doctorate in Education Administration (ED.D) from the Department of Theory and Policy studies OISE, University of Toronto, a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Master of Education Administration (M ED) OISE, University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Nairobi (B ED). Joseph has demonstrated outstanding leadership starting from Kenya where he was a High School teacher and Vice Principal. Joseph has served on various boards as a member and director and was involved with a number of committees in the University of Toronto. He was President of the Graduate Students Union, University of Toronto, a member of the Hart House Steward Board and Member of the Equity committee of the Faculty of Education at Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE). He also served as member of the Graduate Education Council of the school of Graduate Studies. He represented Graduate students at OISE’s Faculty Council. He was actively involved in various University of Toronto committees like the Graduate professional Skills Development Committee, E-thesis committee and Career Users Council.
Joseph is the founding President of Abeingo Association Canada through which he has contributed his vision and leadership (2004-2006). He is also a founding member of the Kenyan Candian Association (KCA).
Joseph is a recipient of the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award 2004 and Arbor Award 2007 from the University of Toronto.
SHELMITH MITUKO, TREASURER
Shelmith Mituko is the current Treasurer of Abeingo Association Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick-Humber College Canada, a BScN, Moi University, Kenya and a Master in Public health degree (MPH), Kenyatta University, Kenya, Infection control practice, Kenya. In addition, she attained a certificate in Community outreach and intro to healthcare in Sweden. Shelmith has been an active member of the community since relocating to Canada in 2012. Shelmith has used her experience in healthcare to provide leadership to various Abeingo Association Canada programs including the seniors program where she has facilitated workshops and trainings on living healthy, diabetes programs and nutrition. She has assisted in writing grant proposals which have received funding. She is committed to community service, working to reduce health inequities as well as advocating for the less fortunate in society. Shelmith is goals’ oriented, pays attention to detail, ready to learn and has great interpersonal and computer skills.
LEONARD WANDILI, ASSISTANT TREASURER
Leonard Wandili is the current Assistant treasurer of Abeingo Association of Canada. Leonard is an educator who was born in Western Kenya and currently lives in Clarington, Ontario. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (Political science and History major) from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s degree in Education (M.ed) from York University, Canada and Diploma from George Brown College (Information Systems). He is an experienced Education program Administrator having worked at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for over 20 years in Program Administration. Leonard has demonstrated his innovative potential by launching several international language courses at TDSB targeting specific community-specific needs in the children of immigrants, including Kiswahili language classes delivered mainly to children of the East African diaspora.
He is a founder member of several academic and community associations in Canada including the African Heritage Educators Network (AHEN) and the Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO). He is a strong advocate for the public education system both in Canada and in Kenya. He enjoys community volunteer activities, reading and traveling.
BOARD MEMBERS
JOHN WATIBINI
John Watibini is a Board member and the immediate former treasurer of Abeingo Association Canada. He holds a B.A degree in Political Science and a diploma in Public Administration from the University of Nairobi. He currently works at Ontario Trillium Foundation. John immigrated to Canada 12 years ago and immediately joined Abeingo Association Canada. He is member of Kenya Community in Ontario (KCO). John’s experience includes administration, office management, financial management and budgeting, human resources, project management, logistics, event coordination and community mobilization. John is interested in writing and enjoys new places and meeting people from different cultures and committed to anti-racism, anti-oppression and poverty.
DR. EBBY MADERA
Dr. Ebby Madera is the immediate former president of Abeingo (2014-2018) and current Board member. Dr Madera started her career in Kenya as high school teacher after graduating from the University of Nairobi. She taught for several years before moving to the ministry of education as an education officer. She came to Canada to further her education and obtained a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in education measurement from the University of Toronto. Ebby is currently working with the Ontario Public Service as a psychometrician.
Ebby is involved in the community. Abeingo Association has through its INUA-Abeingo Scholarship Fund, raised funds and supported over 40 needy HIV Aids orphans in Kenya.
Ebby and her husband Samson are also actively in involved with various community projects in their home village Chatamilu. Together with the Vancouver monthly meeting, they raised funds and rallied the community and constructed the Chatamilu Primary school.
JOSEPHINE OMURULI
Jospehine Omuruli has been a resident in Canada since 1997 and currently lives in Brampton Ontario. Josephine is a Registered nurse and has worked in various hospitals in Canada. Despite her busy schedule, Josephine is dedicated to community work. Josephine has collaborated with other Abeingo professionals to design programs that support seniors as well as minority youths from the African community. She has been an active participant to support and encourage the youth to make informed choices, be involved in decisions, and have control over their lives. Using her professional knowledge, Josephine has supported various community programs dealing with seniors health issues including diabetes awareness, appropriate nutrition, mental health issues as well as general senior welfare. Josephine has served in various leadership positions including serving as secretary to Abeingo Board.