Speaker Category: Speaker

Makmid Kamara is a Sierra Leonean human rights leader, democracy advocate, and development communications practitioner, with almost 20 years’ experience working with national and international development, human rights, and grantmaking organizations in Africa and the United Kingdom. 

He is the Founder of Reform Initiatives, an organization dedicated to harvesting the dividends of democracy and contributing to the global campaign for reparatory justice. Until recently, he was the founding Director of the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), based in Accra, Ghana. 

At ATJLF, Kamara’s focus was on transitional justice and reparations for historical crimes. He led various collaborative efforts around reparatory justice issues and TJ mechanisms meant to repair the wrongs of the past in selected African countries. 

Prior to the ATJLF, Kamara worked at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London as (Ag.) Deputy Director of Global Issues and Head of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) Team; served as interim Country Director for Amnesty International Nigeria and as a West Africa Researcher.

Kamara has also held posts with Oxfam GB in Sierra Leone and the UK, and with Concern Worldwide in Sierra Leone. Kamara started his career as a journalist in Sierra Leone and has written several articles and reports on human rights and social justice issues for high-profile African and European publications and institutions. He is a Rotarian, a Global Atlantic Fellow, and an Obama Foundation Leader- Africa. He is based in Accra, Ghana.

Regarded as a steadfast champion of ethical journalism, Paul Ilado brings over two decades of experience to his role as Group Head of Content for Radio Africa. A born storyteller, Ilado cut his teeth in Radio Africa where he began as an intern and rose through the ranks to his current position. Holding both a communications degree and masters in strategic communication from the University of Nairobi, he applies careful analysis paired with natural Charisma.

Described as calmly authoritative yet approachable, Ilado has navigated many challenges in his illustrious career. As a result, he possesses a deft political sensibility and understands the delicate balance between fair informing and sparking productive civic dialogues.

Beyond steering Radio Africa’s diverse array of products ranging from radio, digital and newspaper (the Star), Ilado lends his expertise to bodies like Kenya’s Editors; Guild and the presidential debates team. He believes the media’s duty is holding truth to power through both watchdog reporting as well as community building.

Under Ilado’s visionary guidance, the organization continues setting the pace for multi-platform storytelling in Kenya. With his blend of editorial acumen, diplomacy and passion for people, he is sure to lead Radio Africa into an ever brighter future of inclusive, impact-driven storytelling.

David Omwoyo is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the national regulator of Kenya’s vibrant media sector. He has over 15 years’ experience in journalism, media training and management, spanning the public, private, religious and non-governmental sectors. Before joining the MCK, he was the Managing Director of Waumini Communications and Communications Director for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops for 6 years growing an enviable countrywide media network. He also worked in academia, as Fundraising and Donor Relations Manager at Egerton University, with responsibility for institutional advancement and donor relations.

An advocate of devolution, David oversaw and coordinated the establishment of more than 18 community radios in different parts of the country to promote community dialogue for sustainable peace and rural development.

Victor Bwire is currently the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Manager in addition to be a trainer at the Media Council of Kenya and a private media and communications consultant. He is an experienced journalist, who has done several assignments including journalist mentoring, training, and development of media training modules, event workshop facilitation, training, management, paper presentations and policy paper formulation in Kenya.

He has worked in workshop facilitation, training, media relations and advocacy as a trainer and consultant for Media Council of Kenya, Deutch Welle Academy, UNDP, Nation Media Group, Standard Group, Royal Media Services, UNESCO, US Embassy in Nairobi, Media High Council of Rwanda, ARTICLE 19, IREX, International Media Support (IMS-Denmark), Journalists for Human Rights, Union for Journalists for South Sudan (UJOSS), East African Journalists in Distress Network and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

He has consulted and facilitated trainings and workshops for journalists in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zanzibar, Liberia, Germany, USA, and Britain among other countries.

Victor has extensive teaching experience at the University level (Have taught at the University of Nairobi, USIU, Mt Kenya University, Great Lakes University, Technical University of Kenya) and conduct several in house trainings for media houses including KBC, SG, MediaMax, NMG).

Simaloi Dajom is a media expert with two decades of experience leading strategy, people, content and operations for top media organizations, including the most consumed media station in Kenya.

She has been instrumental in the growth and transformation of 50+ media brands In Kenya & Africa. She has successfully trained, managed and mentored 700+ media personalities, journalists, editors & station managers in Kenya and across Africa

Her media training expertise cuts across audience attraction and retention strategies, winning content & talent development, media sustainability & viability strategies, digital transformation, media monetization & revenue diversification strategies in a fast changing audience, business & digital landscape, spanning community, national and international media scope.

Simaloi has been awarded the Kenya Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya, in honor of her impact in the media industry.  She is a sought after media & leadership trainer, consultant, mentor, author & speaker.

Journalist and Storyteller with a career spanning 17 years starting at Nation Media Group (2007 to 2012) then Radio Africa Group (2012 to 2021) and back at NMG (current).

Oliver currently serve as the Managing Editor (Audiences and Engagement) at the Nation Media Group in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, he oversees the digital publishing and social strategy for Nation Media Group brands as well as deepens focus and data insight sharing in the Newsroom.

He previously held the position of Multimedia Editor at the broadcasting division of Nation Media Group leading the digital operations. Before this, Oliver served as Digital Editor at Radio Africa Group, where he was responsible for ensuring outstanding, timely, accurate, and compelling content on Radio Africa Group’s digital platforms.

His journalism career began as a News Journalist at Nation Media Group in 2007, where he developed news and news features, mainly in politics and current affairs, for publication in the Daily Nation, Saturday Nation, Sunday Nation, and Taifa Newspapers.

He also consults as a digital journalism trainer for the WAN-IFRA’s Women in News Digital ABC programme, which aims to equip journalists with the necessary skills for a modern

Sharmaine Koh is a communication and information specialist at the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, where she coordinates initiatives related to inclusive and human rights-based digital transformation, AI ethics and adoption, digital peacebuilding and media development in Eastern Africa. Under UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace project, she supports advocacy efforts to strengthen community resilience against online harmful content, particularly mis/disinformation and hate speech on digital platforms in Kenya. A social historian by training, with a focus on gender and war, she believes in the power of storytelling, free information and the media to build just, inclusive and peaceful knowledge societies.

Julie is the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Mastercard Foundation overseeing corporate and programmatic communications as well as policy & thought leadership. She has overseen the growth and development of a team spanning Africa and Canada. Prior to her role at the Foundation, Julie had a two decade career in the fields of broadcast, print, digital media and development communications.

At the start of her career Julie pioneered investigative news television and programming. She conceptualized and launched numerous top news and current affairs shows and developed the pan-African television show, Africa Leadership Dialogues. Following the 2007 elections, Julie’s peace specials resonated with viewers. As a result of her calls for non-violent action in 2008 she was awarded the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness. Following this pivotal period, determined to contribute towards a more informed and responsible generation, Julie established the Great Debaters Contest, a high school debate platform focused on teaching students that differences need not result in conflict and violence. Her career focus then shifted to curating impactful engagements and driving conversations focused on African leadership, growth,  and development.

Over the past decade Julie has worked with key institutions, including the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, various UN agencies, and the World Economic Forum. Julie is part of a number of Fellowships, including the Tutu Fellowship, the Aspen Global Leadership Network/Africa Leadership Initiative and is an alumni of the Young Global Leaders under the World Economic Forum. She has received numerous awards and recognitions. 

Julie was born in Nairobi, Kenya. She attended university in the United Kingdom where she earned her LLB Law and MBA from Cardiff University’s Law and Business Schools respectively. Julie is a dedicated wife and mother and a passionate afro-optimist.

Beatrice Nyamari, is a distinguished media leader with a remarkable track record of strategic prowess and impactful contributions across diverse markets in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and India. With over 15 years of experience, Beatrice has navigated the dynamic landscape of media with finesse, leaving an indelible mark on every endeavor she undertakes.

As the Managing Director at Smart Codes, Beatrice spearheads innovative solutions,pushing the boundaries of creative innovation, traditional advertising, PR, and digital realms. Her strategic acumen and unwavering commitment to excellence have earned her recognition as a trailblazer in the media industry. Previously, Beatrice held pivotal roles at Coca-Cola, where she led Sparkling Flavors Communications across the South East Africa Business Unit, orchestrating impactful brand campaigns and driving transformative change amidst complex challenges. Her tenure at Coca-Cola was marked by a dedication to fostering creativity and innovation, setting new standards for brand communication in the region starting out as Media Manager for 32 African Markets.

Additionally, Beatrice’s regional leadership roles at Airtel Africa and WPP Scangroup underscore her ability to provide strategic direction and support to multiple country clients, guiding them in the development and execution of communication strategies tailored to diverse audiences and markets. Beatrice’s achievements speak volumes about her ability to navigate and excel in the ever-evolving media landscape. Her visionary leadership, coupled with her profound understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics, makes her a formidable force in the media industry.

Ken Mbuki is a data evangelist, expert and researcher in data analytics, ethics and data-driven decision making. He is agile, dedicated and passionate to transform organizations into data driven enterprises where decision makers can ride on data to make accurate predictions and data based innovations. Ken is also zealous about designing and implementing data driven products. He has 8 years of experience working in the data industry for organizations like Resolution Insurance, International Potato Center, Weare IVE (UK) and Transparency International, among others.  He currently heads Business Intelligence and Analytics at Moringa School. Outside the office, Ken is a certified drone pilot and a passionate farmer.