First African Urban Forum: “The Just City in Africa: Democracy, Social Justice, and Sustainability”

John Mark Mwanika, a program officer at ATGWU-Uganda, designs innovative programs using HIV/AIDS, digital tools, and climate change to organize transport workers like boda boda riders, taxis, and heavy drivers. He is a key member of the ITF and part of the Our Public Transport (OPT) program, which aims to boost union influence in public transport systems like BRT in cities such as Nairobi, Dakar, and others. He also conducts Labour Impact Assessments as part of this work.

Astrid, an independent Ugandan-Austrian urban economist based in Hong Kong, supports cities in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with financing and strategy questions. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto's School of Cities, a Research Associate at the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town and ODI, and an Extraordinary Lecturer at the African Tax Institute, University of Pretoria. In 2016, she was named a Young Leader by the University of Cape Town, and in 2020, she received the Johns Hopkins Outstanding Recent Graduate award for her urbanisation work.

Githau Thabanja has been the City Manager of Nakuru City in Kenya since 2019, overseeing administration. In Africa, he is the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Coordinator for Craft and Folk Arts and the National Chair of Kenya’s City and Municipal Managers. He offers a fresh perspective on Nakuru’s administration and planning, committed to transformation. He earned a Master of Urban Administration and Planning from the University of Seoul in 2019, holds a Master’s in Governance and Ethics from Mount Kenya University, and a Bachelor's in Economics and Business Studies from Kenyatta University.

Shelton is a highly skilled Corporate Town Planner with the Zimbabwe Institute of Regional and Urban Planners. He currently works as the Principal MSMEs Planning and Development Officer at the City of Bulawayo. His expertise is reflected in his involvement in master and local development plans for the city. Shelton is pursuing a doctoral degree in Urban Planning at the University of Johannesburg and holds advanced degrees in Spatial Planning Systems and Development Studies. He is also an accomplished author focusing on urban planning and the informal sector.

Grace M. Chikumo-Mtonga has strategically aligned her organization with national and global development goals, including the SDGs. She has promoted women's land rights and economic empowerment in rural areas, established community GBV response desks, and served as Treasurer of the East and Southern Africa Regional Housing Network, advocating for land and housing rights. Additionally, Grace has led research, engaged policymakers, and supported community projects like a school and clinic in Mahopo.

Titus Kaloki, Programme Coordinator at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's Just Cities and Politics in Kenya, has 8 years of experience in political education, policy advisory, and securing human and land rights. He works on projects promoting citizen-centered urbanization and just outcomes through access to public goods. Currently, he leads a 3-year EU-funded Just City project (2024-2027) on water and waste management in Nakuru, Makueni, and Kisumu. He is passionate about democratic governance in Kenya.

Francis Kibirige is the Managing Director and co-national Investigator of the Afrobarometer surveys in Uganda. With over 20 years of experience, he has managed high-profile projects for government and international development organizations. As the sampling specialist for Afrobarometer, he assists over 40 national partners in drawing representative samples of the adult population. He holds a degree in agricultural engineering from Makerere University and has completed four fellowship programs in research methodology and statistical modeling at the University of Michigan and the University of Cape Town.

Jalal Abdel-Latif is currently the Senior Social Policy Advisor at the Gender, Poverty, and Social Policy Division of UNECA. His professional focus is on economic and social development, particularly regarding peace and security issues in Africa, as well as good governance. With over 30 years of experience, Jalal has expertise in corporate social responsibility, humanitarian responses, civic engagement, grant-making, project design, and enhancing the capacities of non-profit organizations. Before joining UNECA, Jalal worked with the World Bank in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan, supporting post-conflict reconstruction operations. He holds a Master's degree from the UCLA African Studies Center with focus on urban development and began his career as a researcher and capacity analyst there.

Jeremmy Okonjo is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Warwick and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He has over 18 years of experience in international trade, finance, climate change law, and the digital economy. He holds a PhD from the University of Kent, Master of Laws from University College London and the University of Nairobi, and a Law degree from the University of Nairobi. He is also an Associate Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy.

Tatu is a Senior Research Fellow at Ardhi University's Institute of Human Settlements Studies. Dr. Limbumba holds a PhD in Built Environment Analysis and specializes in Housing, Informality, Climate Change, and Urban Poverty. She has provided consultancy services for government and non-government institutions, including preparing the 2021 National Housing Policy and the Tenant Study for the National Housing Corporation. She has conducted research locally and regionally on gender and housing, urban service delivery, and climate change, publishing papers on these topics.

Kuria David Kamau is the Chief Officer - Housing & Urban Development in Nakuru County. He is an expert in water and waste management, founding AFRICAQUA to provide affordable safe drinking water in Africa. He also founded IKOTOILET, pioneering public-private investments in Nairobi's public toilets. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Project Management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor's in Architecture, and holds an MBA in Corporate Governance from KCA University.

A graduate of Land Economics and Masters degree in Urban & Regional Planning both from University of Nairobi.  Has Over 25 years’ experience of in the Built environment; specifically areas on Human Settlements and urban development in the public and private sector before joining the  UN: Handled several assignments in Urban and Regional Planning and Management,  Housing Development (including slum upgrading), project management and Administration, Real Estate and Property Appraisal/Valuation as well as facilities management. He is also a licensed Lead Expert in Environmental Impact and Audit Assessment.  He is very passionate about inclusivity and believes each and every individual possess unique gift to share with others.