Tennyson J. C. Williams is currently the Director for Africa, World Animal Protection based in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to his overall management and leadership responsibilities, he is also a member of the Global Senior Leadership Team.

As an international development specialist, with over Twenty-five years of experience with International Livestock Research Institute Nairobi, ActionAid International and World Animal Protection, Tennyson has held several senior management positions directing Africa-wide regional programmes.

Originally from Sierra Leone, he was the ActionAid Kenya Country Director responsible for directing programmes, and shaping the development of the organization in the country. Prior to that, he was ActionAid International Director for West and Central Africa, responsible for providing leadership and management support to nine countries in West and Central Africa, and promoting the causes targeted by ActionAid International.

Before that, he was Country Director for ActionAid in Sierra Leone focusing on poverty reduction and humanitarian interventions. While in Sierra Leone, Tennyson led the development process of the country strategy paper and contributed to the positioning of Sierra Leone’s development agenda at national and international levels.

Tennyson was also involved in several research and consultancy projects and contributed to the design of civil society programmes, undertook evaluation of various programmes and served on the boards of ActionAid International UK and Open Society Initiative for West Africa.

Tennyson holds an MSC. in Zoology, BSC in Agriculture, Diploma in Epidemiology and control of Human Vector- Borne diseases and a certificate in Human Resources and Industrial Relations Management.

Dr. Huyam Salih possesses a distinguished Ph.D. in Veterinary Epidemiology, and Master's Degree in Tropical Animal Health. She has professional record spanning over two decades, spearheaded numerous in the domains of livestock development, disease prevention, and animal health interventions at national, regional and global level.

• Risk assessment and early warning for Transboundary animal diseases
• Expanding livestock value chains, ensuring the linkage to small holder Producers
• Ensuring compliance with international sanitary measures
• Strengthen capacities for antimicrobial resistance’s Monitoring and Evaluation, and supporting monitoring of Global Action plan on AMR (GAP) and FAO AMR Action Plan.

Additionally, Dr. Salih has played a pivotal role in championing the adoption of a One Health approach and facilitating extensive collaboration among various sectors to effectively tackle the pressing issues of Antimicrobial Resistance and zoonotic diseases.

Dr. Elynn Njeri is an animal welfare expert with a strong foundation in veterinary medicine, having graduated in 2020. She is currently pursuing a master’s in wildlife health and management, reflecting on her ongoing commitment to expanding her expertise in the field. Dr. Njeri is deeply passionate about animals and is dedicated to increasing awareness and knowledge about their care, as well as addressing the various issues that affect them.

Her professional journey includes significant experience with the Africa Network for Animal Welfare, where she has engaged in advocacy and the sensitization of good animal welfare practices. Dr. Njeri has expertise in wildlife interventions, particularly in response to human-wildlife conflict-inflicted injuries and has been instrumental in promoting and coordinating clinical care and disease control for both domestic and wild animals. Her work is characterized by a deep commitment to improving the well-being of animals across diverse environments.

Mr. David Ombisi is a Programme Management Officer at the Civil Society Unit, Governance Affairs Office, UNEP. He has over 18 years’ experience on issues related to environmental governance, policy and strategy development, environmental impact assessment, health and environment linkages, solid waste management and environmental education.

Between 2011 and 2023, Mr. Ombisi was the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa (ROA). He has over the years worked with African Ministers in charge of the Environment to promote regional cooperation in addressing environmental issues, advancing African interests on environment and sustainable development, setting environmental agenda in Africa, developing relevant regional frameworks/ mechanisms, as well as deliberating and crafting common positions on important issues for the region.

In addition to that, he was worked with African member states to ensure their active engagement in the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) process, and other relevant UNEP activities. He has previously supported the One UN pilots in Africa, Common Country Assessments/United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (CCA/UNDAFs) and other common country programming processes. He has also previously worked towards strengthening the engagement of the African Civil Society Organizations and major groups in the work of UNEP through organization of regional civil society meetings.

A Kenyan national, Mr. Ombisi holds a master’s degree in environmental planning and management from the University of Nairobi. He has a Diploma in Environmental Planning and Management from Galilee College, Israel, and a Certificate in Integrated Environmental Management from Bath University, UK.

Tozie Zokufa is a distinguished South African advocate for animal welfare and food safety. With a career spanning over two decades in the public and private sectors, he currently serves as the Executive Director of the Coalition of African Animal Welfare Organisations (CAAWO), establishing him as a key figure in promoting ethical farming and sustainable food systems across Africa.

Zokufa’s career began at the foundational level, where he spent nine years as a meat inspector for the International Meat Quality Assurance Services (IMQAS) and the national department of agriculture. He later applied his expertise as a Veterinary Public Health practitioner for the Western Cape provincial department of agriculture. He has been a consultant and keynote speaker for twelve years, sharing his knowledge with various organisations, including faith-based and grassroots communities, locally and internationally. His work has taken him to the European Union Parliament, the UK, the USA, and numerous African countries.

In his leadership capacity, Zokufa is an active member of the African Union's Africa Platform for Animal Welfare and serves on the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and Soil for Life boards. He is the former Chairperson of the Pan African Animal Welfare Alliance (PAAWA) and previously led the Animal Welfare Portfolio for the South African Veterinary Council.

His key achievements include launching initiatives like "Meat Free Mondays" and pioneering "Green Mondays." He has led significant baseline research in East Africa with the African Union, published research on climate change mitigation through dietary choices, and established A Greener World's certification programs in South Africa.

Zokufa’s vision is to foster "a continent that respects all animals, providing them with care and compassion in policy and practice" and to unite animal welfare organisations to build capacity for collective advocacy.

Mr. Isaiah Otieno holds a master’s degree in information technology from Strathmore University and a bachelor’s degree in information system technology from United States International University (USIU). Isaiah have worked in the Information and Technology field for a period of 10 year before following his passion in environment and joining UNEP in 2014. At UNEP Isaiah has been the focal point for organization from the Africa region by ensuring that Major Groups and Stakeholders are engaged meaningful in the work of UN Environment’s Governing Bodies. Isaiah oversaw the signing of MOUs with a number of accredited organizations from Africa to enhance collaboration between UNEP and these organizations. Such MOU saw UNEP and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) organize annual conference named Animal Welfare Conference. The first and the Second conference took place in Nairobi Kenya. The third conference took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia while the fourth conference that was to take place in Accra Ghana had to be held virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Dennis Bahati is a Program Manager at Africa Network for Animal Welfare and an accomplished Veterinarian and Programme, Research and Advocacy Specialist with over 9 years of experience in leading animal welfare and conservation initiatives. Adept in managing and executing projects spanning across Africa, with a strong commitment to the well-being of animals, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. He has been engaged in orchestrating multifaceted campaigns, conducting impactful research, and fostering collaborative partnerships to drive positive change. He possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of animal welfare and conservation issues in various African contexts, seeking opportunities to leverage expertise in program management, research, and community outreach to advance the cause of animal welfare and environmental conservation.

In addition to undertaking several animal welfare programs, Dr Bahati is currently engaged in Cage-Free Campaigns and Research in Africa focused on establishing the extent of adoption of caged farming in East, West and Southern Africa. This has been combined with assessing the gaps within the legal and policy frameworks governing the poultry industry as well as consumers’ perception on chicken caged farming and its influence on their purchasing characteristics. Dr Bahati was involved in the planning and execution of the first Chicken Cage Free Conferences in East Africa that was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in May 2022 and in Accra, Ghana in April 2023 that highlighted on key recommendations to tackle caged farming in the regions as well as the whole continent.

With a high regard for life, Dr Bahati accentuates key sentiments of The Dalai Lama who believed that at the most fundamental level, our nature is compassionate, and that cooperation, not conflict, lies at the heart of the basic principles that govern our human existence. By living a way of life that expresses our basic goodness, we fulfill our humanity and give our actions dignity, worth, and meaning.

Currently, Douglas serves on two Wildlife Well-being Task Teams under the Wildlife Well-Being Forum, an initiative established by the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. He is actively involved in negotiations to establish a Memorandum of Understanding with the DFFE to enhance compliance and enforcement efforts.

In addition to his advocacy work, Douglas has shared his expertise at the Africa Animal Welfare Conference (virtually, 2022) and has lectured postgraduate students at the University of South Africa (UNISA) on the interconnected values of conservation and animal welfare. He has also provided testimony in Magisterial Court proceedings on multiple occasions, underscoring his commitment to justice and animal protection.

Craig Redmond is a member of the team co-ordinating the Lush Prize, a global prize fund supporting the complete replacement of animal use in research and testing. This role includes research and communications. Craig has a background as a researcher and campaigner with animal protection NGOs, as well as a photojournalist and videographer specialising in social justice issues.

Dan Joshua Oduor, Founder and Director Stawisha Africa Initiative

Background: ICT and Business, Social Development advocate, Farmer, Environment Champion

Dan Joshua Oduor is the Principal Founder of Stawisha Africa Initiative with passion for grassroots development and growth, particularly among youth. Dan has over fifteen years of dedicated experience in non-profit organizations in Western Kenya. Stawisha Africa Initiative, an NGO that works with vulnerable children and youth between the ages of 10 and 35 years. Stawisha operates in the following thematic areas:

• Education and skills training (Job creation, Job access, Apprenticeship - In collaboration with established artisans, young people get trained in real environment and get absorbed in the job market with great experience. Library access, Sports for social growth. Dignity restoration project – Making school uniforms for needy pupils to keep them in school and build their confidence.
• Agriculture and Environment (Food security, Agribusiness, financial literacy - Training on proper resource management, VSL and the discipline of wealth creation) Environment conservation- Establishment of environment awareness campaign groups in partnership with 15 primary & secondary schools. Creation and support of environment clubs in schools, growing of fruit trees and vegetables, bee keeping, chicken value chain
• Health and wellness (Mental wellness support, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Dignity restoration project for girls and boys providing sanitary towels and boxers, Teen mothers return to school engagement, advocacy, Nutrition) Distribution of dry foods during the pandemic and during the election period

Social media @stawishaafricainitiative M: stawishaafrica@gmail.com Website:www.stawishaafricainitiative.org Postal

Dr. David Obiero is a veterinarian with 17+ years of experience in livestock development, field research, and capacity building. He holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) from the University of Nairobi, a Master’s in International Animal Health from the University of Edinburgh, and is currently pursuing his PhD in Veterinary Public Health. David has led initiatives ranging from animal welfare advocacy and development of animal protection legislations to community-based programs for working equines. As a lecturer at Maasai Mara University, he focuses on applied research, training, and community outreach while mentoring future professionals.