THE REAL STORY: From Summit to Sentience - A Journey to Lenana Peak (4,985m) and a Call for Compassion...Glory to the Living God!
TECHNICAL ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS
DR. HIVER BOUSSINI – PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR AND CONSULTANT – BURKINA FASO, AFRICA
A Senior Expert in Animal Health, One Health and Animal Welfare, Dr. Hiver Boussini is a distinguished veterinary scientist and strategic leader with over 30 years of experience advancing animal health, One Health, livestock development, and animal welfare across Africa. He has held senior leadership positions with the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Government of Burkina Faso.
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Master's degree in Animal Biotechnology, Dr. Boussini is internationally recognized for his expertise in animal health systems, epidemiology, transboundary animal diseases, veterinary public health, wildlife health, livestock policy, and the One Health approach.
A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a Master's degree in Animal Biotechnology, Dr. Boussini is internationally recognized for his expertise in animal health systems, epidemiology, transboundary animal diseases, veterinary public health, wildlife health, livestock policy, and the One Health approach.
During his tenure at AU-IBAR, he served as Head of the Animal Health Unit and Coordinator of the Pan-African PPR Secretariat, leading continental initiatives on the African Animal Health Strategy (AHSA), the African Animal Welfare Strategy (AWSA), and the African Animal Welfare Platform (APAW). He has provided technical leadership to African Union Member States in disease surveillance, emergency response, veterinary systems strengthening, and livestock policy development.
Dr. Boussini has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a certified WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Expert and member of the WOAH Ad Hoc Group on PPR Disease Freedom. Fluent in English and French, he is widely respected for translating scientific evidence into practical policies that improve animal welfare, public health, food security, and sustainable livestock development across Africa.
As Professional Advisor to the Africa Initiative for Animal Sentience and Welfare (AIASWE) and the Africa Center for Animal Sentience (ACAS), Dr. Boussini brings forth his Francophone and Anglophone Geopolitical expertise and inclusiveness to strategic guidance on animal health, One Health, animal welfare, and the advancement of animal sentience policies across Africa, drawing on his extensive experience within the African Union system and international organizations.
Dr. Boussini has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is a certified WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Expert and member of the WOAH Ad Hoc Group on PPR Disease Freedom. Fluent in English and French, he is widely respected for translating scientific evidence into practical policies that improve animal welfare, public health, food security, and sustainable livestock development across Africa.
As Professional Advisor to the Africa Initiative for Animal Sentience and Welfare (AIASWE) and the Africa Center for Animal Sentience (ACAS), Dr. Boussini brings forth his Francophone and Anglophone Geopolitical expertise and inclusiveness to strategic guidance on animal health, One Health, animal welfare, and the advancement of animal sentience policies across Africa, drawing on his extensive experience within the African Union system and international organizations.
BONVENTURE OTIENO – LEGAL ADVISOR AND CONSULTANT: KENYA, AFRICA
Bonventure Otieno is a seasoned legal professional, certified mediator, human rights advocate, and governance expert with over a decade of experience in law, alternative dispute resolution, policy development, and institutional strengthening. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law, and is a Certified Professional Mediator.
Bonventure serves as a Court-Annexed Mediator with the Judiciary of Kenya and has extensive experience in legal practice, constitutional and legislative drafting, human rights, cross-border legal affairs, and organizational governance. He has contributed to the drafting of constitutions, public policy, and legislation, while also providing legal training and mediation services across Kenya and the East African region.
Bonventure serves as a Court-Annexed Mediator with the Judiciary of Kenya and has extensive experience in legal practice, constitutional and legislative drafting, human rights, cross-border legal affairs, and organizational governance. He has contributed to the drafting of constitutions, public policy, and legislation, while also providing legal training and mediation services across Kenya and the East African region.
A respected trainer, public speaker, and thought leader, Bonventure has delivered capacity-building programs on human rights, conflict resolution, succession law, and peace-building. His work reflects a strong commitment to justice, youth empowerment, leadership development, and the promotion of good governance. He has also held leadership roles in civil society, legal associations, and regional initiatives, combining legal expertise with practical experience in institutional development, advocacy, and community transformation and he is keen in using his skills in the advancement of animal sentience and welfare
JOSPHAT NGONYO – AMBASSADOR & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Josphat Ngonyo is the Ambassador and Development Consultant for the Africa Center for Animal Sentience (ACAS).
Prior to his current role, Ngonyo was the Executive Director and founder of the Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), which he served for 18 years. Under his visionary leadership, ANAW grew from a grassroots initiative into one of Africa's leading animal welfare organizations, with operations and partnerships spanning 33 African countries. During his tenure, ANAW attained accreditation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), significantly elevating African civil society engagement in global animal welfare, conservation, and sustainable development discussions.
With more than three decades of experience in animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection, Ngonyo is recognized as one of Africa's leading voices at the intersection of animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development. His work has focused on strengthening policy frameworks, building institutional partnerships, advancing humane and sustainable livelihoods, and promoting the integration of animal welfare into national, regional, and global development agendas.
Ngonyo holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Conservation Leadership from the African Leadership University School of Business, a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree, and a Postgraduate Diploma in the Management of Non-Profit Organizations. Throughout his career, he has served on the boards of several prominent animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and environmental organizations. He founded and continues to champion the Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC), Africa's premier platform for animal welfare dialogue and collaboration, bringing together governments, the African Union, intergovernmental agencies, academia, civil society, and development partners.
His leadership has also been instrumental in fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to combat wildlife and environmental crime. Notably, he spearheaded the establishment of National Judicial Dialogues in Kenya, bringing together judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, conservation authorities, and civil society organizations to strengthen enforcement of wildlife and environmental laws. He was also appointed to advise on Government’s vision 2030.
Recognizing his expertise and contribution to public policy, the Government of Kenya appointed Ngonyo on two occasions to national steering committees tasked with reviewing and strengthening key conservation and animal welfare legislation, including the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and animal welfare laws.
At the continental and global levels, Ngonyo has been a strong advocate for the meaningful engagement of civil society organizations in policy processes and has championed collaboration between governments, international institutions, and non-state actors to advance the animal welfare, environment, and sustainable development nexus. His work continues to influence policy, inspire partnerships, and drive transformative change for animals, people, and the environment across Africa and beyond.
Ngonyo holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Conservation Leadership from the African Leadership University School of Business, a Bachelor of Education (Arts) degree, and a Postgraduate Diploma in the Management of Non-Profit Organizations. Throughout his career, he has served on the boards of several prominent animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and environmental organizations. He founded and continues to champion the Africa Animal Welfare Conference (AAWC), Africa's premier platform for animal welfare dialogue and collaboration, bringing together governments, the African Union, intergovernmental agencies, academia, civil society, and development partners.
His leadership has also been instrumental in fostering multi-sectoral collaboration to combat wildlife and environmental crime. Notably, he spearheaded the establishment of National Judicial Dialogues in Kenya, bringing together judges, prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, conservation authorities, and civil society organizations to strengthen enforcement of wildlife and environmental laws. He was also appointed to advise on Government’s vision 2030.
Recognizing his expertise and contribution to public policy, the Government of Kenya appointed Ngonyo on two occasions to national steering committees tasked with reviewing and strengthening key conservation and animal welfare legislation, including the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and animal welfare laws.
At the continental and global levels, Ngonyo has been a strong advocate for the meaningful engagement of civil society organizations in policy processes and has championed collaboration between governments, international institutions, and non-state actors to advance the animal welfare, environment, and sustainable development nexus. His work continues to influence policy, inspire partnerships, and drive transformative change for animals, people, and the environment across Africa and beyond.
