Our Team
In the Community
Getao Kenothea, Co-Founder and Peer Recovery Coach
Getao’s childhood was filled with trauma and deprivation, which resulted in both addiction and incarceration. But he longed for something different. “Bad things happen to people who do bad things,” he reasoned. “And good things come to those who do good.” Since then, Getao has made it his personal mission to use his lived experience and his passion for helping to lift up those who have been left behind. Getao serves as Badilika Uishi’s leader as well as hands-on Peer Recovery Coach, offering education, counseling, and other services for marginalized and stigmatized people in Kawangware.
Esther Waithera, Co-Founder and Peer Educator
Esther specializes in working with vulnerable women in Kawangware, drawing on her own experiences of trauma, substance use, and sex work. Esther – the proud mother of four young sons – is known in Kawangware as a trusted peer educator who uses her compassion and wisdom to help local women who are still involved with alcohol, drugs, and sex work.
Sofia Kageha
Sofia, who comes from western Kenya, uses her experience as someone with lived experience to help women and men who are using substances and involved with sex work.
Judith Kwamboka (Mama Brian)
Judith, who comes from the Rift Valley, is a former volleyball player and postal worker. Judith taps into her experiences with drug sales, incarceration, and sex work to provide part-time peer education services to the Kawangware community.
Behind the Scenes
Jeremie Onyango, Board Member
Jeremie is a Kenyan documentary photographer, storyteller, and community development advocate and the founder of Return to Kibra. As a photographer, Jeremie uses his community development background and his ability to connect with people to showcase his subjects’ strength, resiliency and dignity. Jeremie was first introduced to Badilika Uishi through his photography work.
Naomi Weinstein, Volunteer Partner
Naomi is a volunteer partner who has been working with Badilika Uishi since 2022, providing guidance, support, and encouragement. Professionally, Naomi is a consultant specializing in substance use, harm reduction, and mental health. Naomi is inspired by the creativity, passion, and immense heart that goes into all the work accomplished by everyone involved with Badilika Uishi.
Nina Wollberg, Volunteer Partner
Nina was introduced to Badilika Uishi in 2023 and has been a devoted volunteer partner ever since . Professionally, Nina is a social worker and also an agritourism business owner based in Atri, Italy. Nina is passionate about empowering vulnerable groups and says that witnessing Badilika Uishi’s transformative impact on the community continually moves her. Nina cherishes the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the team in Kawangware.