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Nyawira Muthiga
Director (GCP) Kenya Marine Program
Nyawira Muthiga is a Conservation Zoologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society, as the program director she oversees the running of activities at the Mombasa office. Activities that she is involved in include research and conservation programs on coral reefs, sea turtles, sea cucumbers and other threatened species and ecosystems. She liaise with the government and communities associated with marine resource use and management and play other coordinating roles including leading the regional coral reef task force
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Dr. Tim McClanahan
Senior Conservation Zoologist (GCP)
Dr. Timothy McClanahan is a leading environmental and marine conservation scientist and the Director of Marine Science for WCS Global Marine Programs. With over 33 years at WCS, he has advanced research on coral reefs, fisheries, and social-ecological systems, focusing on marine protected areas, reef restoration, and community-based management.
He is also the founder of Kenya’s annual Fishers’ Forum, now in its 24th year, which promotes collaboration between fishers, communities, and stakeholders. Dr. McClanahan holds a BA in Biology and an MSc and PhD in Environmental Engineering. A Pew and WIOMSA Fellow, he has authored over 530 publications and ranks among the top 100 global scientists in ecology and evolution.
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Austin Humphries
Associate researcher
Austin's research investigates how fishing impacts coral reef ecosystems. Specifically, he is interested in the different responses and vulnerabilities of coral reef fishes and how this affects herbivory and coral-algal dynamics. His background is in both freshwater and estuarine reef systems and he has worked on ecological dimensions of resource management in the USA, Mexico, Caribbean, Kenya, Seychelles, South Africa, and China.
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Caroline Abunge
Research Scientiist - Social
Caroline A. Abunge is a seasoned research scientist with 17 years of experience in socioeconomics and stakeholder engagement. She specializes in social data collection, analysis, and management, as well as training data collectors and developing questionnaires. As the Internal Review Board (IRB) and Social Safeguards point person for Kenya, she ensures ethical research standards and safeguards implementation. Caroline has contributed to over 10 social projects and published extensively on fisheries management and marine conservation. Her work supports community engagement and informed decision-making in marine resource governance.
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Catherine Kiecha
Director Finance and Administration
With over 14 years of experience in finance and grants management, Catherine Kiecha thrives at the intersection of numbers and purpose. She’s worked across diverse regions and donor landscapes to ensure programs run smoothly, resources are well-managed, and reporting is timely and transparent. Passionate about systems that work and people who care, Catherine enjoys bringing structure and clarity to complex operations.
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Emmanuel Mbaru
Intern
Emmanuel Kakunde Mbaru is research associate for the Coral Reef Conservation Project (CRCP) since July 2010. He is currently pursuing his Msc at the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS), Rhodes University South Africa. He coordinates the Fish Trap Project (FTP).
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FAHD AL-GUTHMY
Programme Director - Miamba Yetu Programme
Dr. Al-Guthmy brings over 15 years of experience in financial services and project management. He holds four academic degrees: a PhD in Environmental Policy, a Master’s in Media and Governance, an MBA in Strategic Management, and a Bachelor’s in International Business Administration.
His career started in commercial banking, where he successfully managed a multi-million-dollar Islamic banking portfolio. His career led him to Japan where he served as Far-East liaison as part of a mid-career professional program sponsored by the World Bank. There, he also worked with the Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, supporting the Japanese Ministry of Environment’s carbon market-based Joint Crediting Mechanism initiatives.
Upon returning to Kenya, Dr. Al-Guthmy coordinated a $13 million Global Environment Facility-funded UNDP wildlife conservation project implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. He currently serves as Director of the Miamba Yetu: Sustainable Reef Investments Programme at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Western Indian Ocean Marine Program. This initiative, implemented in Kenya and Tanzania, is funded by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, a $625 million blended finance vehicle dedicated to marine conservation
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James Dena
Office janitor
James Dena is the office janitor. He is in charge of the office security, cleanliness, office maintenance. He is also in charge of the office hospitality details.
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James Mariara
Dive Officer
James Mariara is the Dive Officer for the for WCS Mombasa office. He assists in the logistical aspects of field work. His responsibilities include creation and maintenance of dive and field equipment, training and safety aspects of field operations, field surveys, and data entry. He is an ex-Navy diver and have >30 years experience in marine underwater work.
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Jane Nyanapah
Administration Manager - Kenya Marine Program
Jane Nyanapah is a community development professional with 8+ years at WCS. As Program Administration Manager for the Kenya Marine Program, she oversees operations, logistics, administration, library management, and research support. She holds a Bachelor's in Development Studies from Mount Kenya University, specializing in community dialogue and sustainable development. Jane has co-authored research papers on marine conservation and climate change, reports on ICT-driven empowerment, and sustainable poverty alleviation, emphasizing technology, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Her work bridges research and conservation, supporting evidence-based decision-making in marine resource management.
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