Mr. Kepta Ombati is a distinguished lead coach, trainer, and strategist within the social justice movement in Kenya. With over 20 years of experience in grassroots community organizing, he has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of 30 social justice centers across Kenya over the past four years. His collaborative efforts with major organizations, including the Defenders Coalition of Kenya, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Peace Brigade International-Kenya, Katiba Institute, Tangaza University, and GIZ, have significantly enhanced the leadership and organizational capacities of these centers in both urban and rural settings.
Previously, Mr. Ombati served as the Regional Program Co-ordinator for the Akiba Uhaki Foundation, an indigenous grant-making organization that operates across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. During his seven-year tenure, he led the development and implementation of numerous innovative interventions addressing critical community issues such as health, education, land, agriculture, trade, policy reforms, public resource allocation, and social accountability, all while combating structural violence and the root causes of marginalization.
Among his notable achievements is the establishment of the Zinduka Festival, the largest annual gathering of grassroots social movements in East Africa, which fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing among activists. He also founded the Zinduka Academy, an intellectual forum that unites grassroots movements, activists, public intellectuals, and policymakers to discuss pressing community challenges within the context of East Africa’s integration and development processes. Additionally, he initiated the Human Rights and Social Justice Fellowship Program at the University of Bagamoyo, a six-month training program designed to strengthen the capabilities of grassroots human rights defenders and social justice activists by bridging the gap between practice and theory.
Currently, Mr. Ombati is pursuing his doctoral studies in strategic management at the University of Nairobi’s School of Business Studies, focusing on the intersection of organizational strategy, capability investment, and environmental turbulence in the pursuit of competitive advantage. His extensive background in human rights, social justice, democracy, and sustainable development positions him as a leading figure in fostering meaningful social change within communities.
Mr. Ombati’s commitment to social justice and community empowerment continues to inspire and mobilize efforts for transformative action across East Africa.