Akali James Agembe

Mr. Akali James Agembe is a Financial specialist with vast experience spanning over 15 years drawn from both the Public, NGO, and Private sectors. He is currently a Director at Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation Board (KDIC), and also the Finance and Administration Director at OGRA Foundation, He is the Chairman Human Resources, Strategy, and General Purpose Committee (HSG) at KDIC and a Member of the Audit Committee. In addition to his current position, Mr. Akali previously served as the Chairman Technical Committee(BTC) at KDIC. Over the years, Mr. Akali served in different capacities at STOP TB Partnership-UNOPS Funded project, Direct Relief International(DRI), Wits Health Consortium (pty)Ltd-Funded by Global fund and World Bank as Finance & Administration Director covering Eight Southern African countries-(Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe), ICAP/CDC -PEPFAR Funded project, APHIA II Nyanza (USAID funded) initiative, HIV/AIDS-Global Fund project and USAID Advancing Nutrition project(USAID Funded project. Throughout his professional career, he mastered supervisory of project operational teams, coordination of finance, budget management, monitoring internal controls, grants, human resources, administration, procurement, logistics, security, and overseas fraud mitigation systems and practices, indepth knowledge of the state of financial developments in Kenya and within different Regional economic sectors as well as private sector roles in supporting Financial reform agenda. Mr. Akali is Currently a PhD candidate pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration(Finance), and CS, Certification. He holds an MBA in Business Administration – (Finance), a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-(BBA-Finance), Dip. Business Administration(DBA), Dip.HRM, Cert. in Project Management, Cert.Financial Analysis and Reporting, Cert. Risk Management and Cert.Strategic Leadership. In addition, He is a CPA(K), a Member Institute of Directors Kenya-IoD(K), Kenya Association of Professional Managers(KAPM), Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) and a Member Kenya Institute of Management (MKIM).

• Director (BoM) Koru Girls Secondary School, Muhoroni
• BoM Ambassador Pamela Mboya Girls Secondary School
• BoM Rapora Secondary School

• Director, Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), 2023, Present, Ensured compliance with employment laws, considered and made recommendations on the proposed staff compliments and relevant HR instruments for approval, Receive and consider Management reports on staff matters such as disciplinary cases, staff exits, recruitments, promotion, job evaluation, training, career progression salary reviews, and disciplinary matters affecting Senior Management Staff and recommend appropriate action to the Board. Review the monitoring and evaluation plan and tool for the effective implementation of the plans and continuous improvement of the corporation’s performance management system. Ensure compliance with the various National workplace policies such as Gender & Equality, Persons with Disability, Alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, and National Cohesion and Integration, etc. Guides the Board on the Corporation’s strategic direction including the short, medium, and long term plans of the corporation, Guide the management and Board on the development of and periodic review of the Strategic Plan, Review the Corporation’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and recommend approval for adoption and implementation.
• Chairman Technical Committee (BTC), Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC), 02/2023, 09/2023, Supervise the work of forensic auditors and other consultants appointed to carry out audit assignments in institutions under receivership or in liquidation. Review and recommend policy documents on Resolution, Risk & examination to the Board for approval. Receive management reports/status updates on inspection and management recommendations on prompt corrective actions for member institutions. Review reports from the receiver manager on the receivership process of institutions under receivership. Review the statement of affairs and all related reports for institutions in receivership and liquidation before the same are presented to the board. Offer guidance to the management relating to handling institutions where deemed necessary. Informing the board whether or not the corporation/KDIC is executing its mandate as provided for in the existing legislation, guidelines, and regulations issued from time to time. Review the status reports of institutions in receivership and in liquidation prepared by the management before recommending them to the full board for relevant action. Offering necessary support to the committees of the board.
• Director of Finance and Administration, OGRA Foundation, 2018, Present, Supervises all project operational teams, in coordination with the Chief of Party, including finance, grants, human resources (HR), administration, procurement, logistics, security, and information technology (IT). Responsible for managing the contract budget and ensuring financial reporting is accurate, complete, and compliant with international rules and regulations. Manage financial and administration teams to ensure timely and accurate application of existing and new accounting guidance on the application of financial policies to achieve Organisational goals. Provides stewardship towards the client’s resources, through effective establishment and monitoring of appropriate internal controls. Lead and Develops innovative solutions, contribute new insights to Understand situations and develop a solution to resolve complex problems, adapt as circumstances require and manage the impact of own behavior on others in the context of values and mission, identify and pursue an innovative approach to resolve issues. Oversees fraud mitigation systems and practices.
• Finance Manager, OGRA Foundation (HIV Program), 2018, 2022, Responsible for accounting policies & procedures, strengthening compliance with existing and new policies and procedures. Develop the overall corporate financial goals and objectives which help to assess the performance of an organization. Advised program staff on expenditures by monitoring field budgets, burn rates, and pipelines. Oversaw issuance of checks, cash, and wire transfers, including preparation of payments, receipts, and journal vouchers. Conducted pre-audit field site financial paperwork and reconciled accounts per Ogra Foundation internal control requirements.
• Finance Manager, OGRA Foundation (ICAP/CDC), 2009, 2012, Ensured compliance with GAAP, Kenyan laws, USAID regulations, and Ogra Foundation policies and procedures. Provide guidance and supervision to the Finance officers in the implementation of all projects in the organization. Developed standard operating procedures to build the capacity of field staff in human resources and operations. Managed and developed project budgets and sub-budgets, as well as monitored financial performance in relation to budgets, forecasts, obligated funds, commitment, and advances to subcontractors and consultants. Identify and meet the training needs of new and existing staff on all aspects of grant financial management and compliance.
• Group Finance Officer, APHIA II NYANZA (USAID Funded), 2008, 2009, Maintained compliance with USAID and Counterpart regulatory systems across all project financial systems, including financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting, legal, and audit, and contractual compliance. Reviewed and monitored internal control systems and procedures to ensure compliance, transparency, and effective utilization of resources. Ensured sub-grants were implemented per program objectives, design, and USAID sub-grant regulations. Trained sub-grantees on USAID and Counterpart International reporting requirements. Supervised the grants team’s grant-making process, including maintaining an up-to-date sub-grant manual, designing and issuing RFAs, short-listing and evaluating grant applications, negotiating with potential grantors, and finalizing agreements. Monitored the financial activities of sub-grants through quarterly reports to ensure compliance.
• Finance Officer, OGRA Foundation (DRI-DRI Funded), 2007, 2008, Oversaw finance and accounting, ensuring compliance with GAAP, OGRA Foundation, and donor accounting and financial reporting requirements. Managed development, review, and finalization of project budgets in alignment with donor requirements and the agency’s internal financial guidelines. Prepared monthly pipelines and burn rates to monitor expenditures. Built capacity of program managers, finance, and administrative staff to strengthen budgeting and budget monitoring. Reviewed contract negotiations, consultancy agreements, and other procurements to ensure grant and donor regulations compliance. Developed a performance management system for the Regional office. Coordinated and collaborated with program managers and program teams to strengthen financial management and accountability. Established, maintained, and improved relationships with regional authorities, donors, and partner agencies. Trained field staff on SSTAP procurement policies and guidelines. Carried out pre-audits of field finance and HR documents and ensured compliance.

• Kisii University, Quantitative Techniques, Financial Accounting, 2015, 2021
• Maseno University, Quantitative Techniques, Financial Accounting, Management, 2015, 2021

• Kenya Association of Project Managers (KAPM)
• Kenya Institute of Directors (IoD-K)
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAK)
• Kenya Institute of Management (KIM)
• Institute Of Human Resource Management (IHRM-K)

• Strategic Leadership Development Program (SLDP No.399/2024), Kenya School of Government (KSG), 01/15/2024, 02/23/2024
• Audit and Risk Oversight for Public Service Boards, Kenya School of Government, 11/27/2023, 11/29/2023
• Managing Board Meetings, Institute of Directors, Kenya, 09/28/2023, 09/29/2023
• Governance and Leadership Training, ICS(K)-United Arab Emirates (UAE), 06/19/2023, 06/23/2023
• Audit and Risk Oversight for Public Sector (Board Audit Committee Workshop), Institute of Internal Auditors of Kenya, 05/29/2023, 05/31/2023
• MWONGOZO Induction Programme for Boards of State Corporations, State Corporations Advisory Committee, 04/24/2023, 04/26/2023
• Induction Programme for Public Sector Boards of State Corporations, Kenya School of Government, 02/20/2023, 02/22/2023
• Training and coaching on Communication and Documentation, USAID New Partnership Initiative (NPI), 08/01/2022, 04/30/2023
• Training and coaching on Finance and Grants Management, USAID New Partnership Initiative (NPI), 02/01/2022, 04/30/2023
• Fiscal Accountability Training, Ford Foundation, 12/10/2018, 12/11/2018
• Resource Mobilisation and Communication, International Centre for AIDS Care and Treatment Program (ICAP), 05/13/2014, 05/16/2014
• Human Resource for Senior Management Training, ICAP, 02/01/2014, 02/01/2014
• Finance for Non Finance Training, ICAP, 02/01/2014, 02/01/2014
• Grant Management Workshop, Kenya Red Cross, 06/13/2012, 06/14/2012
• USAID Rules and regulations: Grants and Corporative agreements workshop, USAID, 02/08/2011, 02/10/2011

• Factors Determining Adoption of Banking Financial Services Among the Fishing Communities in Mbita District, Kenya, Master’s Thesis
• The Relationship Between Capital Structure Composition and Financial Performance of Listed Firms: A Critical Review of Literature, Independent Paper
• Effect of Capital Structure on Firm Performance of Nonfinancial Firms Listed In NSE, Kenya: Moderating Role of Corporate Governance, PhD Thesis
• Granger Causality Model of Retained Earnings And Financial Performance Nonfinancial Firms Listed At The Nairobi Securities Exchange (Nse), Kenya, PhD Thesis

• Dr. Alphones Odondo, PhD, Department of Finance & Accounting, Tom Mboya University, +254 722942119, alphonceodondo@gmail.com
• Dr. Stephen Okello, CEO, OGRA Foundation, +254 720869006, Okello.steve@ografoundation.org
• Dr. Wafula Joshua, PhD, Cordinator Post graduate Studies, Kisii University, +256 722836296, iwafula@kisiiuniversity.ac.ke