Janet K. Ngombalu is a dedicated advocate for poverty alleviation and social justice. As the Country Director of Christian Aid Kenya, she leads transformative partnerships within the civil society space, focusing on poverty reduction, social movements, and systemic change. She does it through climate justice, economic justice, inclusive markets, health governance, and humanitarian support.
Janet’s leadership has redefined the intersection of development and advocacy in Kenya, combining mentorship, policy influence, and grassroots initiatives to pave the way for future generations of women leaders in Africa. She firmly believes that the greatest legacy lies not in titles or achievements but in the lives one uplifts. “I want to be remembered as someone who fought for justice, empowered others, and made a difference that outlives me,” she says.
A Wealth of Experience
Janet has over 25 years of experience, having competently worked in managerial positions for 15 years. She is an international and rural development expert. Over the years, she has gained a wealth of experience in research, food systems and trade, agribusiness, gender and economic justice, governance and rights, private sector engagement, and climate change and resilience.
Prior to stepping into the role of Country Director at Christian Aid Kenya, she served as Regional Programs Coordinator at Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), an organization that aims to mitigate food insecurity and provide support to regional trade in Africa. According to Janet, she oversaw all Program Management in ten countries in the wider Eastern Africa region, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC Congo, and Burundi. She championed Regional Trade, Change in Food Sytems, and Market Intelligence Systems. “These experiences gave me firsthand insight into the systemic barriers hindering Inter-Regional Trade in Africa,” she says.
Before EAGC, she worked with the Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP), now known as KENAFF, as Partnerships and Communications Manager and with Practical Action, one of the leading UK-based NGOs, as a Program Manager.
Currently, Janet also serves as a Board of Management member and an advisor to the directors for a local school. She is also a Board Member for the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), a continental research organization. As a board member, she provides strategic advisory support and Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. Also, she is an Expert Panel member for proposal selection for the GIZ “Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains” project, a continental project supporting 15 African countries.
Janet holds a master’s degree in Sociology (Entrepreneurship Development) from the University of Nairobi and a bachelor’s degree in Community Development from Daystar University.
“My journey has always been about service—using my voice, skills, and faith to challenge injustices and create opportunities for those who need them most.”
Country Director Position Is a Calling
Janet is passionate about creating systematic and transformative change in Africa. This passion drew her to Christian Aid Africa, ultimately leading her to accept the role of Country Director. Being a visionary leader, she had just completed her leadership course with the Africa Food Fellowship Leadership Program. So, when the opportunity came, she felt fully equipped to drive meaningful change.
“I was drawn to Christian Aid’s mission to address the root causes of poverty through justice, equality, and love,” Janet says. This aligns with her own mission: to speak and write justice for the poor and needy so they can live in the abundance they were created for. This also aligns with her personal brand identity.
Janet seeks to inspire hope, accelerate growth, and pursue justice for the poor and needy by advocating for just policies, driving social change, and empowering individuals and communities. “My goal is to create a supportive ecosystem where they can experience the abundance, dignity, and love they deserve,” she says.
At Christian Aid Kenya, Janet leverages her experience and expertise in the development sector to contribute to transformative change. She explains that this leads to empowered individuals and communities inspired to reach their full potential and live with dignity – continuing the charitable work of Jesus Christ. She is also excited that through her current engagement as an ASHOKA Visionary Leader and Changemaker in the Ashoka Visionary Program, she will further advance change-making in Africa.
“Becoming the Country Director was not just a career move — it was a calling,” Janet says. “I saw an opportunity to align my faith, passion, and expertise to drive real, lasting change.”
Brief Introduction to Christian Aid
Christian Aid is an international NGO, with its Headquarters in the UK. They serve in over 39 countries. The organization is driven by the belief that “everyone is equal in the sight of God.” For over 80 years, this truth has inspired them to stand together in solidarity with their most marginalized global neighbors, of all faiths and none.
Christian Aid strives to eradicate extreme poverty by tackling its root causes. Together with people living in poverty, they amplify their voices to speak truth to power and create lasting change.
Significant Milestones
Throughout her career, Janet has achieved numerous milestones. In just over two years as Country Director of Christian Aid Kenya, she has made a considerable impact in Africa. One of her significant milestones while leading Christian Aid Kenya is inspiring systems thinking and human-centered design. She has done this by co-creating with communities and shifting the model of partnership engagement towards real impact and social enterprises.
Other milestones include establishing a process to bridge the partnership gap between the private sector, development actors, academia, and communities, leading to the launch of the SALT Business Network in Kenya. Janet has also actively responded to humanitarian crises, such as floods and climate-induced disasters, including landslides in Makueni and mudslides in Mai Mahiu. This has led to the pioneering of a new model of humanitarian response, according to her. Additionally, Janet has brought faith leaders to the forefront in addressing gender-based violence, particularly femicide, an emerging issue in Kenya.
She also shares that she has engaged in national and international public dialogues on taxation, public debt, and their effects on citizens. This has resulted in increased youth engagement and a redefined approach to transparency and accountability in governance on Public Finance Management.
Dealing with Challenges
Over the years, Janet has encountered several challenges and hurdles, from limited resources to navigating gender barriers in leadership. One of her biggest challenges has been the need to create real, sustainable change. She points out that overcoming this requires engaging with real people who face real challenges to develop meaningful solutions.
Whatever obstacles she has faced, Janet has always turned them into opportunities by fostering partnerships, pushing for innovative solutions, and leading with conviction. “Every challenge has shaped me into a more determined and strategic leader,” she says. “I believe that resilience, courage, and faith can overcome even the toughest barriers.”
Key Indicators of Success
Janet points out that success is evident in thriving communities and transformational change in the areas where they work. She explains that it is reflected in the spark in people’s eyes when they share their testimonies of transformation and support.
As a leader who is striving to transform the lives of underprivileged communities, Janet defines success in terms of making things right for others and advocating for justice. “I always ask myself how best we can steward the resources in our custody to create the most impact and transform lives, one family at a time,” she says.
She underscores that when communities can stand on their own, when policies favor the poor, and when justice is not just a dream but a reality — that is success.
Goals and Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Janet envisions a stronger, more just Kenya and Africa Continent, where communities are self-sufficient, policies are inclusive, and justice is accessible to all. One of her key goals is to expand gender-responsive and climate resilience programs in Africa. She also wants to strengthen policy advocacy for marginalized communities and scale up financial inclusion for women and farmers in the continent. In addition, Janet aims to deepen faith-based and grassroots engagement for long-term impact.
“Our work is not just about today; it’s about building a future where justice and dignity are non-negotiable,” Janet says.
Maintaining a Work-life Balance
Janet is very much a family-oriented person. Much of her time revolves around her family. She shares that they have a long-standing tradition of gathering every Sunday for family engagement. In addition to that, she prioritizes personal downtime for reading, walking, and exercising. “I often walk in Nairobi’s beautiful conservation areas such as Karura Forest and Ngong Forest,” Janet says.
She also dedicates time to volunteering at her church, in addition to supporting her parents’ school, which provides education to underprivileged children. “Faith keeps me grounded,” Janet shares. “I set boundaries between work and personal life, prioritize self-care, and ensure I am present for my family.”
She also points out that leadership is demanding, but true impact starts with leading oneself well. Thus, in order to ensure she can serve effectively while maintaining her personal well-being, the strategies she follows include intentional time management, delegation, and mentorship.
Message to Aspiring Leaders
Africa is the youngest continent, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 30. Many of these young people, including women, aspire to step into leadership roles and make a difference. For them, Janet has a few pieces of advice. One of them is that they need to stay committed to justice and be bold in advocating for change.
She encourages aspiring leaders to build strong networks, collaborate with like-minded partners, and invest in continuous learning and personal growth. She also advises them to lead with integrity, empathy, and resilience. She has a special piece of advice for aspiring women leaders. “The world needs more women in leadership – more voices that challenge the status quo,” she says. “If you have a vision, step forward and own it.”
