Our Team
Founders
Angela Wachuka
Founder & Managing Trustee
Wachuka, our Vision Architect, is the former executive director of Kwani Trust, where under her leadership, literary and other prizes included the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature and the Prince Claus Award for establishing a dynamic platform for new voices in African Literature. She worked for the BBC’s African News and Current Affairs department after earning a degree in Anthropology & Law from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE). Previously, Wachuka was an International Arts Management Fellow at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC and an African leader at the Obama Foundation. She is a Publisher at Bunk Books, Director at NBO Litfest, and was one of 5 judges for the 2022 AKO Caine Prize for African Writing.
Wanjiru Koinange
Founder & Managing Trustee
Wanjiru, our Vision Architect, is a writer, restorer of libraries and entrepreneur from Nairobi, Kenya. Her debut novel, The Havoc of Choice, based on the events surrounding the 2007 Kenyan general election, is currently a national bestseller. It is published in the UK and UAE and translated into Arabic. Her writing has also been published in several journals and magazines across the continent, including Chimurenga, SlipNet and Commonwealth Writers, where she served as a cultural correspondent for East and Southern Africa. Before Book Bunk, Wanjiru explored ways in which art and creative production could be used to influence social change. These efforts were channelled through the Cape Town-based non-profit- Africa Centre- where she managed some of their core programmes.
Core Team
Dennis Maina
Digital Life Coordinator
Dennis, our Digital Alchemist, has a background in Information Technology and Cybersecurity, which brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. Before joining Book Bunk, Dennis gained valuable experience working his magic at a recycling startup and a health insurance firm. At Book Bunk, Dennis keeps the tech game strong, ensuring they stay up-to-date with the ever-changing IT landscape. When he’s not busy being a tech superhero, he enjoys binge-watching the latest tech releases, exploring DIY videos, and showering his beloved pets with love.
Evelyne Wangeci
Administrative Support Associate
Our Administrative Dynamo, Evelyne, holds an International Relations and Diplomacy degree, demonstrating a keen interest in Sustainable Development. Within Book Bunk, she supports successfully executing day-to-day operations across various departments. Evelyne takes immense pleasure in playing her part alongside the team, working towards realising Book Bunk’s goals and targets that align with its overarching vision. During her leisure time, she enjoys socialising with friends and family, binge-watching shows, and experimenting with cooking recipes.
Tarus Sharon
Communications Manager
Tarus, our Wordsmith, holds a BA in Communications, a Public Relations Major and a Marketing Minor from Daystar University. For over seven years, she has engaged as a communications professional in several diverse industries, all inspired by her passion for leadership growth and development. Her strong reading culture and proactive pursuit of learning have positively impacted her work assignments, elevating conversations, challenging the status quo, and enhancing the learning environment. Outside work, Tarus occupies herself with books; she leads a book club focusing on African literature and writes book reviews hoping to get more people reading. She also enjoys working out and exploring the outdoors.
Lydia Mumbi
Library Operations Coordinator
Lydia, our Operations Orchestrator, oversees the daily operations of the Kaloleni, Eastlands (Makadara), and McMillan Libraries. Being part of the process of building something greater than herself is what Lydia truly cherishes about her role. She takes pride in the fact that future generations will have the opportunity to explore and learn about their African heritage and culture through these libraries. Lydia finds joy in writing, listening to music, and spending quality time with her family.
Marianne Wamuyu
Programmes and Events Manager
Marianne, our Library Experience Architect, is a Literature and Political Science graduate and a proud mother of two little girls. She is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for library users. She is also very passionate about books, believing they are portable magic. The programmes she curates for the libraries are all-inclusive. She finds fulfilment in seeing people learning new skills and enjoying the events and programmes held in the library. When she isn’t planning programmes and events, you’ll find her with her lovely babies, playing, reading books, watching films or travelling with family.
Marion Anvango
Acquisitions Liason
Marion, our Library Collection Connoisseur, is responsible for curating and managing library collections. As a dedicated literature enthusiast, Marion’s passion shines exceptionally bright when it comes to African literature. She takes great pleasure in curating library collections that beautifully capture the richness of indigenous African knowledge. During her free time, you’ll often find Marion immersed in the pages of books, eagerly expanding her knowledge, and engaging in various art projects that fuel her creativity.
Maureen Mumbua
Digitisation Coordinator
Maureen, our Library Time Travel Curator, leads the organisation’s endeavours to preserve and safeguard invaluable records, such as photographs, newspapers, and more, housed at McMillan Memorial Library. Maureen’s primary responsibility involves converting these records into digital formats to ensure long-term preservation. Working in such proximity to history and culture, particularly that of Kenya, has been a source of immense fulfilment for her.
Nereah Masinde
Human Resource Manager
Nereah, our Culture Catalyst, is a certified HR professional with diverse industry experience. She oversees all HR-related functions, including Compliance, HR Administration, Recruitment, Performance Management, Training, Talent Development/Management, and Employee Welfare. She enjoys establishing a thriving, result-oriented, and fulfilling work environment for the entire team, believing that “A great vision without great people is irrelevant.” Apart from work, she has a deep passion for music, poetry, travel, and a good read!
Yvette Wanjiru
Archives Associate
Yvette, our Library Archive Adventurer, is a dedicated Computer Science student and contributes her expertise as an Archives Associate, primarily focused on digitising endangered materials. One of her most cherished aspects of the role is the opportunity to interact with individuals and their materials when they bring them in for digitisation, providing insight into trends and preserving lifetime achievements. During the pandemic, Yvette discovered a newfound passion for knitting, which has become integral to her life. In her leisure time, she can often be immersed in music, with headphones on, enjoying her favourite tunes.
Polycarp Mulu
Digital Life Associate
Our Web Whiz, Polycarp, updates, manages and maintains the NBO libraries archive and Library Ecosystems Interactive Map websites. In addition, Polycarp provides valuable support in equipment maintenance and cybersecurity efforts. His unwavering passion lies in staying at the forefront of technology, innovation, and information security.