Management Team
Dr. Benson Apuoyo, PHD
Ag. DirectorAgriculture and Food Authority
Dr. Benson Apuoyo, PHD 's Profile
Dr. Apuoyo holds Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree in Entrepreneurial Finance from Kenyatta University. He also holds Master of Business Administration (Finance) Degree and Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) Degree both from the University of Nairobi. He has an experience of over 30 years in the coffee industry having worked for the Coffee Directorate (the defunct Coffee Board of Kenya) since 1989. Prior to this, Dr. Apuoyo worked for the Ministry of Agriculture as a frontline extension officer for two years in the former Kisii District. He has served in various positions including Coffee Inspector, Area Manager, Marketing & Research Officer in the defunct Coffee Board of Kenya. Under the Agriculture and Food Authority, Dr. Apuoyo has served as the Manager- Market Research & Product Development Department- Coffee Directorate and Deputy Director- Coffee Directorate in charge of Market Research and Product Development Department. Dr. Apuoyo is member of the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) and has published in refereed international journals and presented in a number of local and international conferences.
Directorate Management
Josephine Simiyu
Department HeadMarket Research And Product Development
Josephine Simiyu 's Profile
Josephine Simiyu is the Head of Market Research and Product Development at the Coffee Directorate-Agriculture and Food Authority a government parastatal under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. She holds a Masters Degree in international Horticulture from the University of Essex, United Kingdom and a Bachelors Degree in Horticulture from Egerton University, Njoro. Josephine has close to twenty (20) years experience in the Agriculture sector having worked as the Head of Regulations and Compliance at the Horticulture Directorate before being posted to the Coffee Directorate in September 2023 in her current position. She is responsible for Promoting Kenyan coffee in the international and domestic market, enhancing domestic consumption of coffee among the youth, facilitate export trade and promoting value addition along the value chain for increased incomes. Additionally, she has been instrumental in capacity building buyers on the Coffee Mark of Origin as a generic mark of Kenyan Coffees and youths on entrepreneurship opportunities in the Coffee sector. She is at the center of the coffee reforms spearheaded by the Office of the Deputy President by facilitating a farmer centric marketing system and disseminating relevant industry information. Josephine is an expert in food safety and seats in apex committees on standards that affect trade such as the National Codex Coordinating committee, the sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee and Technical Barriers to Trade Committee. I have been instrumental in steering the implementation of the National Horticulture traceability system as well as developing and reviewing policies relevant to the Agriculture sector.
Erick Onyuka
Department HeadTechnical Advisory Services
Erick Onyuka 's Profile
Mr. Erick Onyuka is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness Management from Egerton University and an MSC in Agricultural Economics and Resource Management. He has undertaken a Senior Management Course and Strategic Leadership Course at the Kenya School of Government. Mr. Onyuka has over 10 years’ experience in the Coffee Industry. He joined the former Coffee Board of Kenya in 2009 as a Coffee Advisory Officer- Central Rift Region, from the Ministry of Agriculture where he had worked as District Agribusiness Development Officer. Prior to his appointment as Ag. Deputy Director Technical and Advisory Services Mr. Onyuka served as a Senior Officer- Technical and Advisory Services- Nyanza Region. He has experience in Farm Business Development, Stakeholders Relations, Agricultural Statistics and is a qualified Trainer of Trainers.
Azenath Makori
Department HeadFinance
Azenath Makori 's Profile
N/A
Mercy Maina
Departmental HeadAdministration
Mercy Maina 's Profile
Ms. Mercy C.W. Is holder of a Master’s Degree holder in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University and a holder of Bachelors of Business Management in Human Resource Management Option. She has undertaken a Senior Management Course and Strategic Leadership Course at the Kenya School of Government. She has vast experience (25 + years) in providing comprehensive and proactive administrative services in a fast-paced workplace and has excellent communication and negotiation skills, crisis management and great logistical and organizational skills. Currently, she serves as the Senior Administration Officer Coffee Directorate; previously she served at AFA Headquarters in the same capacity. Mercy C.W is a member of IHRM and Kenya Institute of Management
Daniel Mbovu
Department HeadSupply Chain Management
Daniel Mbovu 's Profile
Mr Daniel K.Mbovu is the Deputy Director Supply Chain Coffee Directorate-Agriculture and Food Authority charged with responsibility of offering customer responsive supply chain solutions to the institution. He is a supply Chain professional with extensive experience in supply chain management for fifteen years in the public sector. A full member and licensed practitioner of Kenya Institute of Supplies Management. Holder of a Master of Science Degree in Procurement and Logistics from Jomo Kenyatta University, Bachelors of Commerce (Marketing Option) Kenyatta University and Diploma in Procurement and Supplies Management from Kenya Institute of Management. He has undertaken and Strategic Leadership Development Course at the Kenya School of Government and various courses in supply chain and strategic management by Kenya Institute of Supplies Management and other premier institutions.
James Kisengese
Department HeadInformation and Communications Technology
James Kisengese 's Profile
Having worked for other institutions both in the private and public sector, Mr. James has over 10 years’ experience in IT – Systems Administration, Networks and ICT support. He joined the former Coffee Board of Kenya Head Quarters in 2013 as an ICT Assistant, from the NGO private sector. He is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree Business Information Technology (KeMU) and a Higher Diploma in (IT) Information Technology (JKUAT). James also has a certification in CISCO and MCSA and has undertaken a Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government. Serving in the capacity of Ag. Head of ICT for the Directorate, James is responsible in ensuring availability of efficient systems for delivery of service in the coffee industry. Mr. James is a member of the Computer Society of Kenya.