LEEPS Fellows
A network of talented researchers and technocrats promoting research excellence across Africa
Dr. Joseph Kuria
Currently a Research and Policy Analyst at the Parliamentary Research Services in the Parliament of Kenya
Dr. Joseph Kuria is currently a Research and Policy Analyst at the Parliamentary Research Services in the Parliament of Kenya. He serves on the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry, and Mining in the National Assembly. He has over ten years of experience providing technical support through evidence gathering, synthesis, analysis, and packaging it in a usable format for Hon. Members of Parliament, the House leadership, and other parliamentary staff. Within the Directorate, he has produced numerous outputs including policy briefs, Bill analyses, background notes, and reports. Additionally, he is an advocate for evidence use within the institution. He holds a Doctorate in Biostatistics from Moi University and has published several research papers. Dr. Waitara received a Mini-Grant from the LEEPS project to study the factors that influence the use of evidence in policymaking. The program aligns closely with his commitment to supporting Evidence-Informed Policy-Making (EIPM) in the Kenyan Parliament, especially in legislative processes such as lawmaking, budgeting, and oversight.
Dr. Fama Gueye
Senegalese economist specializing in climate change, sustainable development, and environmental policy
Dr. Fama Gueye is a Senegalese economist specializing in climate change, sustainable development, and environmental policy. She currently serves as a Lecturer in Economics and Sustainable Development at the Institute of Public Policy (IPP) of the University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Dakar, Senegal. In addition to her teaching role, Dr. Gueye is the formal Deputy Director of the WASCAL Climate Change Economics (CCE) program at UCAD (2022-2025). Academic Background Ph.D. in Climate Change Economics : Obtained through the WASCAL program (West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use) at UCAD, Dakar.Master’s in Agricultural Policy and Economics : Completed via the PTCI (Programme de Troisième Cycle Inter-universitaire) in Burkina Faso. Certified in NDC Finance : Specialized certification in financing for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), awarded by Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, within the ARIN framework Research Interests & Expertise Dr. Gueye’s research contributions focus on the intersection of economic growth and environmental preservation, including:Sustainable Development and Environmental Economics.Natural Resource Management.Agricultural Economics.
Jim Oduor
Social research professional with experience in international development, climate change and adaptation
Jim Oduor is a skilled social research professional with experience in international development, climate change and adaptation as well as M&E having worked in various capacities in research design and implementation, training and capacity building as well as program evaluation. Jim has experience in implementing projects, research activities in the areas of Climate Change and Adaptation, Agriculture and Food Security, Access to Environmental Justice, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness, Social Protection, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, WASH, and developing Environmental, Gender, and Social Impact Assessments (GESIA). Jim has hands-on expertise implementing projects and programs funded by various donors including UN partner Agencies (UN Women, UN Habitat, and UNDP), Mastercard Foundation, Bread for the World, and African Women’s Development Fund. Jim also has expertise in collaborative stakeholder liaison, managing relations with National and County Governments, NGOs, INGOs, CBOs, academia, local authorities, Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and donors to ensure project delivery. Jims research expertise includes designing research methods and data collection tools, conducting pilots, selecting and training teams of field researchers/enumerators, overseeing teams as they administer surveys and conduct focus group discussions, training data entry staff, conducting quality control checks on data entry, cleaning datasets, and analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data. Jim has worked in Kenya, Somalia and Somaliland on projects related to climate change and adaptation, gender mainstreaming, Social Protection, city resilience and poverty reduction. Jim is a PhD Student of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA). Jim also holds a Master’s Degree in International Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education - (Linguistics and Literature) as well as a postgraduate diploma in Project Management and is a Certified Monitoring and Evaluation Practitioner.
Maanzou BOUKARI
Engineer specialized in Finance, Project Management, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains, and Food Security
Maanzou BOUKARI, a national of Benin, is an engineer specialized in Finance, Project Management, Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains, and Food Security. He holds four university degrees and has around seven years of experience implementing and monitoring development projects across multiple African countries as a consultant. Certified in Business and Entrepreneurship by the Regional Leadership Center (CRL YALI Dakar), he has also trained in Project Management at Maastricht University (Netherlands), Climate Finance at Frankfurt School (Germany), Renewable Energy with the African Development Bank, Forest Landscape Restoration with FAO in collaboration with Yale University, and Farmer Organization Structuring at Wageningen University (Netherlands). As a Ph.D. candidate in Sociology of Natural Resources at the University of Parakou, Benin, he is deeply committed to exploring innovative solutions for building sustainable agricultural systems in the face of climate change. He has extensive experience in Action-Research and offers strong skills in designing climate-sensitive development programs, humanitarian projects, and entrepreneurship initiatives. Maanzou is currently the Executive Director of AGRICULTURAL EXPERTISE CENTER, an organization supporting African farmers to increase yields, enhance climate resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also serves as Head of the Research Section of the South-South Youth Platform for Climate Justice (SYPLACTICE) and is the Benin Focal Point for the African Research and Impact Network (ARIN). Maanzou BOUKARI is also an Africa LEEPS Fellow, participating in Africa LEEPS (Learning together to advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking to achieve the SDGs), a program strengthening the use of evidence and equity in policymaking to help countries advance gender-responsive and inclusive solutions towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Amose Obonyo
Environmental scientist with multidisciplinary training in limnology, wetlands management, and environmental management
Amose Obonyo is an environmental scientist with multidisciplinary training in limnology, wetlands management, and environmental management. He holds an International Joint MSc in Limnology and Wetlands Management, an MSc in Environmental Science, and a BSc in Environmental Management and Conservation. His professional experience spans University teaching, agroforestry operations, forest management, field research, and graduate-level environmental projects. Amose’s interests focus on land and ecosystem restoration, soil and biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and evidence-informed policymaking, particularly within the African context. He has worked extensively in field coordination and stakeholder engagement, data collection, and applied research, contributing to sustainable natural resource management and climate-resilient land-use practices. His long-term goal is to advance science-policy linkages that support effective environmental decision-making and sustainable development.
Ismaila Salawu
PhD candidate in Public Policy at the University of Ibadan
Ismaila Salawu is a PhD candidate in Public Policy at the University of Ibadan. He is currently a fellow at Cheetahs Policy Institute and the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN). He has previously worked as a Research and Policy Associate at Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) and held research roles at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER). Ismaila is an alumnus of YALI RLC Accra and a member of the Africa Evidence Network, and Society for Decision-making Under Deep Uncertainty. He holds a B.Tech in Operations Research, an MSc in Research and Public Policy and a certificate in public policy analysis.
Alphonce Kemei
