Team
Dr Mary Bitta
Founder and CEO
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab. With a background training in Nursing Sciences, Mary’s research interest is to develop contextually relevant stigma reduction interventions for mental and brain disorders. She is passionate about bridging the gap between evidence and practice and is a member of the Kilifi Mental Health Council, where she lobbies for uptake of evidence into policy and practise.
Simone Grassi
Co-founder
Simone is a documentary filmmaker and the founder of the Documentary Institute of Eastern Africa, a non-profit organization with extensive experience in documentary production and research on cultural and development topics in the East African region.
Joseph Mwarandu
Co-founder
Mr Mwarandu is a practising advocate of the high court of Kenya and Secretary General of the Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA). As a representative of the Mijikenda Kaya Elders, he promotes traditional culture initiatives and advocates for human rights issues related to elderly populations. He is the chairperson of the board of directors at Difu Simo
Samuel Mturi
Lived Experience Expert
Samuel Mturi is a lived experience expert and mental health advocate with a personal journey of resilience, having been diagnosed with bipolar syndrome. He represents individuals who have faced mental health challenges, using his insights to foster understanding. At Difu Simo, Samuel provides invaluable guidance on handling mental health cases from a lived experience perspective, bridging the gap between personal struggles and professional care.
Jackie Adhiambo
Chief Administrator
Jackline is the Chief Administrator at Difu Simo,where she plays a pivotal role in both the day to day operations of the center . A certified counsellor, Jackline is passionate about promoting mental health particularly in the workplace,and is deeply committed to ensuring a supportive environment to all who seek help.
Emmanuel Munyaya
Religious Leaders Representative
Mr Munyaya is a community mobiliser and peace advocate with lived experience as a traditional healing practitioner. He represents practitioners of traditional African Religion in the Coast Interfaith Council which fosters peace among individuals of different religious beliefs. At Difu Simo, Mr Munyaya provides guidance on community entry strategies and is the liaison between traditional healers and biomedical practitioners.
Edwin Kiritu
Youth Representative
Edwin is a youth leader and disability rights advocate based in Kilifi County, dedicated to championing meaningful youth engagement in governance and development. As the President of the Youth Advisory Council in Kilifi, he actively interacts with various government departments and stakeholders, ensuring that young people are positioned at the center of policy implementation, resource mobilization, and the planning and execution of youth led and youth focused interventions that creates a sustainable society. With a background in Economics and Sociology and professional training as a counselor, Edwin has played a key role in mental health advocacy, including coordinating the Kilifi County Mental Health Survey under Difu Simo and the Department of Health. As a person with a disability (PWD), he is committed to fostering inclusive policies that create opportunities for vulnerable people to thrive.
Nuru Kibirige
Kilifi County Representative
Nuru is a clinical psychologist and Kilifi County’s focal person for mental and brain health. Nuru is passionate about forstering partnerships between policy makers and implementation partners in mental and brain health. At Difu Simo, Nuru is the liaison between the County Government of Kilifi and Difu Simo. In her role, she provides guidance on aligning Difu Simo’s priorities with county and national level health objectives.
Professor Charles Newton
Scientific Advisor
Charles is a practising pediatric neurologist and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, with over 30 years of research experience in neurological disorders, especially epilepsy. He sits on several international advisory boards and technical working groups , notably the World Health Organization Guideline Development Group for the mental Health Gap Action Program Intervention Guidelines. Charles splits his time between the Kilifi and Oxford in the United Kingdom. At Difu Simo, he provides strategic advise on research priorities in brain health.
Judy Baariu
Implementation Scientist
Judy is public involvement and engagement specialist. She currently works as a research fellow at Newcastle University and holds a background training in Public Health for Development and Nursing Sciences. Judy has experience in public mental health and has worked closely with community groups to develop and implement interventions to reduce stigma associated with mental and neurological disorders. She also has an interest in reducing inequalities among populations affected by these conditions and improving access to health services.
James Kahindi
Volunteer
James is a youth residing in Kilifi county with professional training in communication and in research data collection. He is an enthusiast of the Mijikenda traditions and is currently learning the culture and traditions through apprenticeship from the Kaya elders. James leads data collection for field studies.
Loice Nzara
Volunteer
Loice Nzara is a Mijikenda youth from Kilifi with a strong passion for community development and mental health awareness. With a background in Development Studies she is particularly interested in mental health awareness and overall socio-economic development, and is committed to creating a positive change through this. Through advocacy, helping in research, and community engagements, she strives to empower more individuals and contribute to overall development of her community and all round.
BOARD MEMBERS
Joseph Mwarandu
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Mr Mwarandu is a practising advocate of the high court of Kenya and Secretary General of the Malindi District Cultural Association (MADCA). As a representative of the Mijikenda Kaya Elders, he promotes traditional culture initiatives and advocates for human rights issues related to elderly populations. At Difu Simo, he chairs the board of directors.
Dr Mary Bitta
Mary is an implementation scientist at the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School’s Mental Health for All Lab. With a background training in Nursing Sciences, Mary’s research interest is to develop contextually relevant stigma reduction interventions for mental and brain disorders. She is passionate about bridging the gap between evidence and practice and is a member of the Kilifi Mental Health Council, where she lobbies for uptake of evidence into policy and practise.
Stanlous Kiraga
Board Member
Margaret Kadzo
Board Member
Dr Gloria Pedersen
Partnerships advisor
Judy Baariu
Secretary
Judy is public involvement and engagement specialist. She currently works as a research fellow at Newcastle University and holds a background training in Public Health for Development and Nursing Sciences. Judy has experience in public mental health and has worked closely with community groups to develop and implement interventions to reduce stigma associated with mental and neurological disorders. She also has an interest in reducing inequalities among populations affected by these conditions and improving access to health services.
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