Africa Digital Media Institute

Dr Teckla Muhoro is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture and Building Sciences (SABS) at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya. Since 2012, she has taught at the Centre for Urban Studies and the Department of Construction Management in SABS. She holds a B. Arch., M. Arch., and a PhD. Her doctoral research investigated spatial evolution, sustainability, and public space, engaging aspects of governance and the city. Her post-doctoral research at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa focused on ‘Temporality, Mobility, and the Future Politics of Africa’. Her areas of academic interest and research are urban morphology, architectural heritage, socio-spatial development, and governance, especially in African cities.

Based in Kenya, Dr Muhoro has worked in public and private sector on training and teaching in architecture, urban development, and programme management. She has worked on urban affairs at international, national, and local level, focusing on spatial design, planning, management and governance. Dr Muhoro has also extensively built partnerships and collaborations among academic and research institutions, local authorities, national governments, and international development bodies. Her professional experience in Africa covers Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and South Africa. She is a member of the Mentoring Network for African Women in Academia, Women in Academia Kenya, Women in Real Estate, and the Purpose and Leadership Forum.

Raised in Kenya, Namibia and Somalia, Laila Macharia is Co-Founder and Chair of the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI). Headquartered in Nairobi, ADMI is Eastern Africa’s premier learn-and-work creative technology community, which over the last decade, has trained over 10,000 students from almost 40 different countries.

A serial entrepreneur and investor, Macharia serves on the boards of the Aspen Institute's Africa Initiative, Absa Life Assurance and Centum, the latter listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

Admitted to practise law in Kenya as well as Maryland and New York, Macharia holds a B.A. in Planning & Public Policy from the University of Oregon, a JD and LL.M from Cornell University and a doctorate in law from Stanford University, all in the United States.

Macharia was honoured in 2021 as one of the Top 100 Kenyans, in 2010 as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Africa Leadership Institute and in 2012, was named one of the Top 20 Women to Watch in Africa by the Times of London.

A result-driven professional with a progressive career in journalism services and mass communication industry for over 13 years. I have relevant experience having worked in various Media Firms in Kenya. I have acquired a high degree of versatility, endurance, and experience in my work. I desire to work within a challenging and rewarding environment that will allow me to utilize my acquired skills, and apply my academic knowledge that leads to both personal and organizational growth to international standards.

Saum Idd is a dynamic and innovative Journalist, Digital Media Producer, Creative Entrepreneur, and passionate Social Innovator with a profound belief in the transformative power of stories. With ten years of diverse experience in media and film production, Saum has successfully collaborated with esteemed brands and organizations, including the Judische Kulturband Project (Washington DC), UN Women, Africa Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Danish Refugee Council, Sabis International School, and KARI. She excels in storytelling and communication strategy and development, production management, digital content development and marketing, advocacy, project management, photography, and documentary production. Driven by a passion for advocacy through storytelling, Saum has been instrumental in running Digital Storytelling Programs for youth in communities such as Kibera and Nandi County, and several high schools. As an Ashoka 2020 Fellow and a 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders, Saum's dedication to social change is evident in her leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation of storytellers and digital leaders.

Ciku's joy is to see young people inspired to pursue their passion and perfect their gifts so that they can live fulfilled lives. Ciku joined ADMI in July 2016 where she was part of the team that launched the Career Launchpad program; a course that seeks to equip professionals with the soft skills required to succeed in the workplace and is currently lead faculty for the program.

A teacher at heart, she holds a Bachelors' Degree in Education from Kenyatta University. She has over 10 years of experience in the Corporate Industry in Credit Management and Public Relations Management. She is a Certified Event Manager and has managed a wide array of successful events from presidential events, corporate events, academic events such as graduation ceremonies, anniversary celebrations, and music concerts, among others.

Ciku is a Trainer of Trainers having trained with Business Options (Africa), Power Talks Limited and Raiser Resource Group. Her Training focus is on Enhancing Soft Skills, Effective Business Communication, Building Teams that Work, Customer Service, Business Etiquette, Personal Branding, Strategic Planning and Vision.

Ciku is passionate about transformational leadership and holds a Leadership Diploma Certificate from the Word of Faith Bible Institute.

I am a media expert with over ten years experience in the Kenyan media industry. I have worked across multiple departments in television, among them Production, Technical, Library and News sections. I was part of the pioneer team that produced Straight Up on KTN. At Ebru TV, I solely set up the digital media library. The skills I have acquired over time across various roles have created a multi-faceted and dynamic media trainer.

Am a distinguished Digital Branding & Print Graphics, Product Packaging Design Specialist, and Media and Visual Communication expert with a wealth of experience in the creative and academic sectors. Am currently serving as the Head of the Graphic Design Department at Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI), where am an adjunct trainer and Lead Consultant Trainer. I teach a wide range of subjects, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign suites, Packaging Design, Branding, Corporate Identity, Graphics Production, Digital Graphics, Photography, and Photo Editing.

In addition to my role at ADMI, i have been a Lecturer of Media and Communication at Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) since 2017. My responsibilities at MMU includes teaching courses in Graphic Design and Page Layout, Events Management and Branding, Photography, Crisis Communication, and Communication Skills. My contributions extend beyond the classroom; am the founder of Silver Works Hub, a Graphics and Publication Printing Company, where i leverage my expertise to deliver high-quality design solutions.

My industry experience includes a two-year stint as a Digital Edition News Correspondent for Hivisasa.com, and over eight years in Print Media Graphics as a Laboratory Technologist at MMU. My technical skills have been showcased through my work in the Print Media Lab, TV Studio live graphics, and MMU Radio Studio Branding.

i have also led numerous graphic design workshops for esteemed organizations such as the Mandera County Assembly and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) at ADMI. My workshop trainings cover critical areas like Branding & Visual Identity Design, Packaging Design, Newspaper Page Layout Using InDesign, Live Graphics Production, and Audio Production.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Applied Communication with a specialization in Corporate Communication – Branding from MMU and Master’s degree in Corporate Communication at Multimedia University of Kenya.

Kennedy Wathome is a Kenyan urban pop music producer, mix engineer, music director, and educator. He has garnered widespread acclaim for his works across the Kenyan music scene, with ten years plus of experience in the music production and sound field industries. His production works span commercial and non-commercial genres, including corporate and educational sectors.

Wathome founded Pop Nation Entertainment, a company dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging music and sound industry artists. He aims to revolutionize the country’s music scene and entertainment landscape.

Currently, Wathome is a head of department and core faculty member at the Africa Digital Media Institute, where he shares his expertise with young aspiring music producers and sound engineers through his teaching.

He holds a diploma in music and a degree in music technology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in musical arts with a focus on music composition.

Dorothy is a highly sought-after corporate trainer with over 13 years of experience in the HR field. Her areas of expertise include training, selection, and recruitment, coaching and mentorship and general personal development just to name a few. She also has vast experience in the field of Digital Marketing, leadership and management, sales and marketing, in addition to customer experience, particularly in the hotel/restaurant service and BPO industry. Dorothy is an animal lover and has a passion for nature and the preservation of the environment.

My name is Samuel Mungai. I have been a part time Lecturer in Daystar University where I taught for nine years. I am currently a part time Lecturer in Africa Digital Media Institute where I have been for 3 years.

My work is exciting and fulfilling teaching and mentoring our students. I teach Photography, Digital Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.

I am passionate and commitment in my training profession. The feedback I receive from my students in their end of semester assessments is very encouraging and motivating.

My teaching career has been entirely in Nairobi, Kenya. I started teaching in St Paul’s University which is also my alma mater. I later transitioned to Daystar University where I taught communication courses at diploma and undergraduate level.

I am currently pursuing my master’s degree specializing in Electronic media in Daystar University. I intend to go into professional consultancy in the near future to research, train, and publish.

I am very keen in initiating, organizing and accompanying my students on field trips to broaden their exposure in their areas of specialization. Students also need nonacademic skills to complement their technical skills.

I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, zip lining and going for long drives on country roads. I am a competent trainer, photographer, videographer and motivational speaker.

Benjamin Mwendia Waithaka is a 3D Generalist and one of the best Mentors of upcoming animators in the Kenyan industry and the region. Having been in the animation industry for over two decades, Benjamin is an Autodesk Certified Professional and he is the co-founder of the Award-winning Bluesplynes Studio Kenya. With the spirit of building and seeing the animation industry grow in Kenya, Benja as many call him has in the past lectured at Shang Tao Media Arts College,Talanta Institute and is currently a 3D Instructor at the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) and the Pan African Christian University's Institute of Technology (PAC) . Under his Studio label Bluesplyne Studios, Benjamin has won different accolades including Entrepreneur of the year 2014, Citi micro-entrepreneurship award and by Recognized as a finalist of the Kenya ICT Rising Star Award. For Benjamin, it’s the constant improvement and learning to approach the new challenging task with a positive mind that keeps him going and he is grateful for everyone he has managed to help in the animation industry in one way or another.

Raised in Kenya, Namibia and Somalia, Laila Macharia is Co-Founder and Chair of the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI). Headquartered in Nairobi, ADMI is Eastern Africa’s premier learn-and-work creative technology community, which over the last decade, has trained over 10,000 students from almost 40 different countries.

A serial entrepreneur and investor, Macharia serves on the boards of the Aspen Institute's Africa Initiative, Absa Life Assurance and Centum, the latter listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange.

Admitted to practise law in Kenya as well as Maryland and New York, Macharia holds a B.A. in Planning & Public Policy from the University of Oregon, a JD and LL.M from Cornell University and a doctorate in law from Stanford University, all in the United States.

Macharia was honoured in 2021 as one of the Top 100 Kenyans, in 2010 as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Africa Leadership Institute and in 2012, was named one of the Top 20 Women to Watch in Africa by the Times of London.

I am a Composer and Sound Designer for film and TV with close to 20 years of experience. I have created scores for tens of short and feature films as well as jingles for commercials and TV programs. My music can be heard on NatGeo Kids and Disney+ . I have designed sound for hundreds of TV episodes

I am a trainer and mentor in the areas of Sound and Music for Film and have facilitated workshops for Film Aid, Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, the Kenya International Film Festival and the Campus Film Symposium. I am currently a tutor at Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI).

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Kalasha Film & TV Awards 2014

• Best Original Score for the film Strength of a Woman

• Nominated for Best Sound Mixing for the film Strength of a Woman

Riverwood Academy Awards 2015

• Nominated for Best Sound Mixing for the film Ghost Letter

Kalasha Film & TV Awards 2015

• Nominated for Best Sound Mixing for the film No Behaviour

I’m an Illustrator and Artist born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. Working with abstract ideas is my passion; I break them down and put them together to tell a story. I have worked with various clients and companies, from small purpose-driven organisations to big global brands. I've had the honour of receiving some awards and recognition in my field, my favourites being the Young African Artist Prize by Mastercard Foundation, and Best Digital Art in the Sondeka Awards.

When I'm not creating artwork you can find me lecturing and designing classes for my students at the Africa Digital Media Institute. I want to use my talents to help connect, communicate, inspire and motivate people to achieve their goals and fully express what is within them.

I’m inspired by the power of Africa, where we’ve come from, where we’re going and I want to use my talents to create artwork that will help businesses connect with their audiences.