JOHN MWANGEKA MWAKIMA
Voi
Summary
A senior public sector administration and governance professional with over fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, executive coordination, and service delivery within devolved and national governance systems. I bring extensive expertise in administrative policy coordination, assets and facilities management, service contracts oversight, performance management, budgeting, records management, and intergovernmental coordination. I have a proven track record in leading administration functions at senior levels, including serving as Assistant Director, Administration and as a County Executive Committee Member, where I provided strategic leadership, policy advisory, and operational oversight across complex, multi-departmental institutions. My experience spans administration planning, outsourcing and service level agreement management, insurance and asset protection, staff supervision, board and executive support, and compliance with government policies and regulations. I am results-driven, systems-oriented, and committed to integrity, efficiency, environmental conservation and public value, with strong leadership, coordination, and reporting capabilities which positions me as a strong asset to any organization seeking to achieve sustainable growth and impact.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
ABCDE Trust Kenya
09.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic and administrative leadership for a registered community-based organization implementing multi-sectoral programmes in agriculture, environmental conservation, community health, education, and climate action.
- A registered community-based organization implementing multi-sectoral programmes in agriculture, environmental conservation, community health, education, and climate action.
- Strengthened national visibility of community-led conservation by documenting socio-economic impacts of climate-finance initiatives, influencing policy discussions at national and global platforms.
- Led advocacy and public engagement campaigns, growing organizational reach and awareness on biodiversity, sustainability, and climate action by over 70% across digital and in-person platforms.
- Established multi-sectoral partnerships with NGOs, government institutions, and private sector actors to scale community health promotion, sustainable agriculture, and livelihood programs.
- Provide overall administrative and operational leadership, including planning, budgeting, reporting, and coordination of organizational resources.
- Coordinate partnerships with government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and agreements.
- Oversee asset custody, records management, and administrative systems to ensure accountability and institutional integrity.
- Prepare management reports, strategic briefs, and performance updates for internal governance and external stakeholders.
- Supervise staff and consultants, allocate duties, and monitor performance against approved work plans.
- Coordinate advocacy, documentation, and public communication initiatives supporting policy engagement and institutional objectives.
Freelance Consultant- Public Administration, Governance & Strategic Management
10.2011 - Current
- Provide consultancy services to public sector institutions, development partners, and non-governmental organizations in administration, governance, project coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional strengthening.
- Designed and led development of the Taita Taveta County Integrated M&E Policy (2019), establishing a structured results-based monitoring framework for all departments.
- Integrated monitoring frameworks into the 2018–2022 Taita Taveta County CIDP, improving countywide planning, tracking, and reporting.
- Strengthened governance systems for government departments and NGOs through reforms in performance management, organizational restructuring, and policy frameworks.
- Supported international development initiatives (UNDP, KAS, USAID, AAK, KRC, World Bank) on governance, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.
- Supported asset registers development, records systems strengthening, and compliance audits.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Health Services
County Government of Taita Taveta
03.2020 - 11.2022
- Provided strategic leadership and administrative oversight of a county department with decentralized units, institutions, and statutory bodies.
- Supervised establishment of key health infrastructural projects including a 160-bed inpatient ward, Renal Unit, Cancer Centre, and Eye Centre, reducing outbound referrals by over 30% and enhancing clinical capacity.
- Enhanced the County Oxygen Storage facility, guaranteeing uninterrupted oxygen supply during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Implemented HMIS, improving data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and decision-making by 35%.
- Enacted the County Health Services Act (2021) and accompanying regulations, enhancing health governance.
- Forged transformative Public–Private Partnerships, increasing investment in health systems and specialized care.
- Provided policy and administrative leadership in line with national and county legislation.
- Oversaw departmental administration, budgeting, work planning, reporting, and service delivery across multiple institutions.
- Coordinated preparation and submission of departmental reports to the County Assembly and oversight bodies.
- Supervised senior officers, approved duty allocations, and monitored institutional performance.
- Oversaw development and protection of public assets, infrastructure, and facilities.
- Coordinated intergovernmental and public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery capacity.
Assistant Director Administration
Office of the County Secretary
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Led the administration function under the Office of the County Secretary.
- Executed countywide staff headcount & payroll verification, saving Ksh. 18 million annually by eliminating irregular entries.
- Updated the County Assets Register, achieving full traceability and compliance with PFM requirements.
- Led performance contracting, improving accountability across all departments.
- Strengthened HR & registry operations, while coordinating training of county HR officers on IPPD payroll systems.
- Supported development partner coordination and intergovernmental agreements (e.g., MoU with Mombasa County).
- Coordinated implementation of government administrative policies, procedures, and programmes across departments.
- Managed service contracts and service level agreements for outsourced services, including security and other support services.
- Oversaw asset management, including development and updating of the County Assets Register.
- Coordinated performance management processes, staff appraisals, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Prepared administration budgets, work plans, and management reports.
- Supervised staff, allocated duties, and monitored delivery of planned targets.
- Facilitated board, committee, and senior management meetings through secretariat support and documentation.
- Coordinated records and information management functions to ensure compliance and accessibility.
- Strategic advisory to the County Secretary on governance and administration.
Principal Assistant Office Administrator
Office of the County Secretary
04.2018 - 02.2019
- Provided senior administrative and coordination support to the Office of the County Secretary.
- Coordinated an administrative restructuring process that improved efficiency and reporting across departments.
- Led the County Revenue Malpractices Investigation Committee, increasing revenue performance significantly.
- Coordinated upgrade of Mwatate into a Municipality, improving urban governance and public service delivery.
- Strengthened performance contracting, improving service delivery by 30% in the first two quarters of FY 2018/2019.
- Countywide administrative governance support, through coordination of policies, reporting systems, and cross-departmental workflows.
- Management of administrative support functions including records, communication, committee secretariat roles, and interdepartmental coordination.
- Strengthening of organizational performance through implementation of performance contracting, restructuring, and staff support initiatives.
- Supported asset verification exercises, payroll audits, and compliance reviews.
- Prepared official correspondence, briefs, circulars, and reports.
- Facilitation of stakeholder and development-partner engagements to advance institutional priorities.
Deputy Sub County Administrator
Taita Taveta
10.2013 - 03.2018
- Held 50+ structured town hall meetings, institutionalizing citizen engagement and improving transparency.
- Coordinated the development of numerous county policies, bills, and governance frameworks across multiple sectors.
- Established County Complaints & Information Centres, reducing response time by 45%.
- Led multi-agency disaster and emergency response as Operations Secretary.
- Coordinated M&E of devolved projects, improving oversight and accountability.
- Coordination, management, and supervision of overarching administrative functions within the sub-county unit, including:
- Formulation of progressive policies and strategic plans to drive development initiatives.
- Provided administrative leadership for sub-county operations, ensuring coordinated delivery of public services and oversight of facilities and infrastructure.
- Implemented county laws, policies, and service charters, enhancing local governance and operational compliance.
- Led citizen engagement, emergency response coordination, and multi-agency security operations.
- Supervised staff, managed records and M&E systems, and strengthened reporting and service accountability.
Part-time lecturer
Technical University of Mombasa
05.2013 - 12.2013
- Developed and reviewed Hospitality & Tourism curriculum; led Property Management System (PMS) practical course introduction.
- Delivered lectures and assessments while developing industry-aligned curricula and practical training systems.
- Mentored students and supported academic quality assurance and instructional improvement.
Front Office Assistant
Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel & Spa
09.2010 - 09.2013
- Awarded Serena Hotels Staff of the Year for exemplary customer service.
- Led Security Awareness Training and coordinated the Serena Prestige Loyalty Club (20,000+ sign-ups).
- Delivered high-quality front-office services including reservations, guest relations, and administrative support.
- Maintained accurate records, supported safety awareness, and coordinated loyalty program activities.
- Collaborated with departments to ensure seamless facility and guest service operations.
Education
Ph.D. (Ongoing) - Strategic Management
Taita Taveta University
Voi08-2027
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management
Taita Taveta University
08-2025
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality and Tourism Management
Kenyatta University
Nairobi12.2010
K.C.S.E. - A-
Kenyatta High School Mwatate
12.2004
K.C.P.E. - 555 Marks
Marungu Primary School
12.2000
Skills
- Strategic Planning and Execution
- Public Sector Administration & Governance
- Administrative Policy Formulation, Review & Implementation
- Assets, Facilities & Office Accommodation Management
- Service Contracts & Service Level Agreements
- Outsourced Services Management
- Records & Information Management Systems
- Budget Preparation, Work Plans & Administration Planning
- Performance Management & Staff Supervision
- Insurance Portfolio Management
- Board & Executive Secretariat Support
- Transport & Fleet Services Coordination
- Risk Management & Internal Controls
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Intergovernmental & Stakeholder Coordination
- Leadership, Team Development & Change Management
- Compliance with Government Policies & Guidelines
- Proficiency in Computer Applications (MS Office, Data Systems)
- Team Leadership and Development
- Change Management
- Research and Development
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Community Development
- Quality Improvement
- Event Management
- Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
- Advocacy
Affiliations
ABCDE Trust Kenya
Kenya Institute of Management
Project Management International
Certification
- Strategic Leadership Development Program, Kenya School of Government (KSG) - 2017
- Senior Management Course, Kenya School of Government (KSG)- 2016
- The Green, Social, and Sustainability Bonds: Sustainable Finance Solutions for Emerging Markets, the World Bank Group’s Open Learning Campus - 2023
Professional Memberships And Training
- Associate Member, Kenya Institute of Management (KIM), M-63174
- Certified Member, Project Management Institute (PMI), 5783585
- Strategic Leadership Development Programme (SLDP), KSG, 2017
- Senior Management Course (SMC), KSG, 2016
Other Trainings And Workshops
- The Green, Social, and Sustainability Bonds: Sustainable Finance Solutions for Emerging Markets, World Bank Group’s Open Learning Campus, 2023-05-01
- Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act and Regulations, Public Procurement & Oversight Authority, 2019-11-01
- Transformative Leadership and Change Management, Kenya School of Government, 2015-09-01
- National Values and Governance, National Cohesion and Integration Commission, 2016-04-01
- Human Rights & Devolution, MS-TCDC Arusha, 2014-09-01
- Governance, Ethics & Anti-Corruption, Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission, 2014-03-01
- Training of Trainers (ToT) on Women and Leadership, 2015-08-01
- Budgeting & Public Finance, International Budget Partnership, 2014-10-01
Personal Information
Nationality: Kenyan
Publications
- Mwakima, J. M., & Omido, K. H., Reimagining Climate Finance for Sustainable Communities in the Global South: Lessons From Carbon Markets in Overcoming Institutional Asymmetry., International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology, 2349-6002, 12, 6, 1057–1064, 2025-11-01, doi.org/10.64643/IJIRTV12I6-186522-459
- Mwakima, J. M., Kimaku, P., & Mwithiga, M., Public Participation in Strategic Policy Management and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in Taita Taveta County, Kenya., International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (IJSSHR), 2959-7056 (o); 2959-7048 (p), 3, 1, 179–197, 2025-03-01, doi.org/10.61108/ijsshr.v3i1.163
- Mwakima, J. M. & Dr. Omido, K., A Critical Perspective of Khaunya Et Al., View On Devolved Governance in Democratic Decentralization for Development in Kenya., International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences, 2278-6236, 9, 1, 58-75, 2020-01-01, https://garph.co.uk/IJARMSS/Jan2020/G-2781.pdf
Interests
- Community Development
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Travelling
- Volleyball
- Social and Professional Networking
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
German
Limited Working
Swahili
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Executive Director
ABCDE Trust Kenya
09.2023 - Current
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Health Services
County Government of Taita Taveta
03.2020 - 11.2022
Assistant Director Administration
Office of the County Secretary
09.2019 - 03.2020
Principal Assistant Office Administrator
Office of the County Secretary
04.2018 - 02.2019
Deputy Sub County Administrator
Taita Taveta
10.2013 - 03.2018
Part-time lecturer
Technical University of Mombasa
05.2013 - 12.2013
Freelance Consultant- Public Administration, Governance & Strategic Management
10.2011 - Current
Front Office Assistant
Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel & Spa
09.2010 - 09.2013
K.C.S.E. - A-
Kenyatta High School Mwatate
K.C.P.E. - 555 Marks
Marungu Primary School
Ph.D. (Ongoing) - Strategic Management
Taita Taveta University
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management
Taita Taveta University
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality and Tourism Management
Kenyatta University