About us

The Artisans

Sandra Ingabire

Ziadi Nsabimana

Jeremy Nsabiyumva

Claude Mwenedata

Keziah Wanyoike

Wanjiru Njenga

Paul Kiarie

Brigid Momanyi

Alburn Mutisya

Ryan Onyango

Phineahs M

Magreth John

Yvonne Sirali

Corrine Nzoka

Wanjiru Kimeria

Claudia Kimani

Evelyne Wanjiku

Fatma Bashir

Hannah Njenga

Test Craftsman

Melissa Adoyo

Allan Ochieng

Gabriel Ogombo

Appelles Adhiambo Kireru

Bella Naliaka

Lucas Odima

Benter Otieno

Caleb Nyakaba

Cecilia Kimani

Cosmas Wambua Mumo

Stella Gikonyo

Absolom Dube

Emily Omondi

Esther Oriku

Grace Naitiemu Nyanjom

Grace Mbugua

Khadija van Horn

Joan Ongige

Joanne Waithaka

Peter Kagwi

Cathychristine Keya

Humphrey Obell

Lucille Nyikuri

Lulu Oniang'o

Marion Munga

Nyokabi Mary

Margaret Muna

Michael Ndichu

Moureen Kerubo

Martin Musyoka

Naftal Mageto Momanyi

Nathanael Mugambi Nyaga

Neema Buyu

Brian Ng'aru

Nkatha Karauri

Nyakiige Ndugu

Nyambura Irungu

Nyambura Beatrice Wahu

Olivia Mutai

Omondi Oscar Onjara

Daniel Sibindi

Richard Shields Okoth

Robinson Njoroge

Serah Mugweru

Herman Gathege

Stephen Odhiambo

Teddy Ngando Njeri

John Kamau

Victor Amukoya

Knight Kerubo Abenga

Jackie Ing'airu - Elsworth

Virginia Kariuki

Elizabeth Amponsah

The Leadership Team

Jochen Baumeister Jochen is the founder of the Urban Change Lab. He is a serial entrepreneur and consultant with more than 20 years experience. He has an degree in urban planning from the University of Dortmund. Furthermore he in an educated craftsman in electronics. This contributes to a better understanding of the challenges the local artisans working for us face. Jochen is married to a Kenyan medical doctor who brought him closer to Kenyan society.

Vicky Achieng Victoria is a graduate mechanical engineer from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is enthusiastic about green energy and is currently working as entrepreneur within the Urban Change Lab on a solar water heating project with the aim of offering a solution to the surging costs of unsustainable energy by significantly lowering water heating bills. Vicky is supporting in local operations of our platform as well.

The Advisory Board

Archana Golla (Berlin, Germany)

Archana Golla is a psychoanalyst based in Berlin. Processes around “encounters at eye level”, especially in the context of different skin colours, have shaped her work since 2012, mentioned in the publication “From segregation and assimilation to a multicultural society“. In the Urban Change Lab, she pays attention to the places where power disparities unconsciously arise from internalised whiteness and internalised serventality. The conscious confrontation with internalised racism can provide the craftsmen and women with negotiating skills, the client with a broader perspective, the team with an emancipatory (learning from mistakes and avoiding them) approach and a step towards a more socially equal world.
Archana’s profile at ResearchGate

Prof. Dr. Michael Benfield (Monmouthshire, Wales)

Michael is one of the four co-founders of the International Green Party movement & has a Doctorate in European Environmental Planning & Property Development. Born in Coventry, he ‘grew up on the tools’ as an apprentice carpenter & builder & was educated at Warwick School, Loughborough, Coventry, & Newcastle Universities. As visiting Professor of Civil & Construction Engineering Research with the University of Wales, Newport he promoted environmental ‘eco’ construction issues. He is MD of specialist timber frame engineers, Benfield ATT Group.
Michael’s profile at LinkedIn

Dipl.-Ing. Sina Uti-Waziri (Abuja, Nigeria)

Sina works for the German Development Cooperation and is currently stationed in Nigeria, working as an advisor in the area of Good Financial Governance. Prior to that she was with GIZ in Nigeria supporting the Nigerian Government in improving the Business Enabling Environment and supporting Local Economic Development. Like Jochen she holds a degree in Urban Planning and a post graduate degree in international development cooperation from the SLE in Berlin.
Sina’s profile at LinkedIn

Valerie Baumeister (Medical doctor, Berlin)

Valerie Baumeister is a medical doctor in neurology, educated and practicing in Berlin, Germany. She grew up in Nairobi, Kenya. Driven by the interactions between traders and customers, she understands the benefits of fair trading and the resultant advantages in terms of quality for the customers and the profit for the craftsmen. Her market experience with the arts market in Kenya has helped bring a particular insight into the day to day interaction between customers and craftsmen. She acts as the sounding board to avoid falling into the “Danger of a single story” on a day to day consultancy with Jochen.
Valerie’s profile at LinkedIn