Staff Category: Kenya Staff (Head Quarters)

Andy Watt is an agriculturalist with over 43 years of commercial experience in sales, marketing, business management, strategy development and implementation, corporate governance, driving change, and business restructuring and development. He has deep knowledge of both large-scale commercial and small-scale farming across Africa, with specialist knowledge of both crop protection and seeds. He was the Managing Director of Syngenta East and Southern Africa and Head of Large Scale Farming for Syngenta in Africa. Andy sits on the board of CKL Africa , the Advisory Panel for the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (B4A) – ILRI Hub, is Chair of the Board of Riding for the Disabled Kenya and sits on the Board of STAK, the Seed Trade Association of Kenya where he is Honorary Secretary. Andy is married to a Kenyan and has three children.

Elizabeth Wambugu holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from the University Of Nairobi, Bachelor of Science (Maths & Physics) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is a Certified public Accountant (CPA-K) and is a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). Elizabeth has over 13 years of experience in accounting and financial management, 8 of which she gained working at Monsanto Kenya Company. As the Financial Controller, she has the responsibility of strategically managing the financial resources of the company and ensuring that financial information is recorded accurately and timely, and ledger integrity is maintained resulting to quality financial reports which are useful in decision making.

Rita Mueni holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Moi University, Kenya. She is an experienced Supply chain professional with a demonstrated history of working in the seed industry. Skilled in demand planning and forecasting to production planning, quality management, warehouse management, inventory and stock control, shipping and logistics management, successfully employing best business practices that improve efficiency, reducing operating costs whilst increasing performance. McKinsey Forward Program graduate equipped with problem-solving skills and effective and influential communication skills with unique ability to steadfastly manage duties and responsibilities pertinent to the growth of the organization.

Sandra Alai –  DipM MCIM

Sandra is a marketing professional with many years of experience in SME funding & development. Commercial sales and marketing & strategy development in crop protection business in the Central, East and Southern countries of Africa. In her previous role, she was involved in opening new markets and growing markets for the business that she was overseeing; so she comes on board with a wealth of experience having worked at Monsanto Kenya limited.

She has also been involved in with CropLife Kenya in strategy development, training and implementation of Product Stewardship programs in the country. As a trainer, Sandra facilitated many training sessions with a bias on Product Stewardship, Counterfeiting of Agro Inputs, targeting farmers, agro dealers, extension services and distribution chain.

Outside the office, Sandra is a marketing tutor of CIM courses working with one of the accredited CIM institutions as adjunct faculty in Kenya.

Sandra’s academic  background  includes a B. Ed , Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered institute of Marketing UK.

Mercy’s responsibilities include preparing and ensuring the accounts are accurate and in line with GAAP & IFRS regulations, highlighting performance against the budget. She has vast experience in finance and accounting.

Mercy holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University .She is also a Certified public Accountant (CPA (K).She is currently pursuing a professional course in Certified Investment & Financial Analyst(CIFA).

Mercy is passionate about hiking and cooking.Mercy Kasiva is a Certified Public Accountant; Certified Investment & Financial Analyst; Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst; & an Ongoing Business Intelligence & Data Analyst. She is the Finance & Analytical Officer at QBS. Mercy joined QBS in September 2018. In her current role, Mercy has proven success during financial audits, strong capacity to prepare financial reports and analyses with a data-driven mindset that strives for quantifiable results. She is Adept in ensuring compliance with accounting principles & is highly skilled at increasing company revenue and productivity through detailed cost analysis.
Mercy holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University

Wanjiru Njoroge holds a B.A in Sociology and Kiswahili from Egerton University, Njoro and an MBA in Marketing Management from Kabarak University, Nakuru. She has several years of experience as a personal assistant and a seeds procurement coordinator in a busy agricultural company in Nairobi, Kenya. As Administrative Assistant Wanjiru oversees and manages the QBS office and doubles up as the personal assistant to the Managing Director and supports him carry out his functions in an efficient manner. Wanjiru is passionate about mental health and SHE adores dogs.

Francis Ochango holds a professional qualification in plant and animal production practices, which involves breeding/hybridization processes. Has a diploma in Agriculture and Biotechnology from Bukura Agricultural College (Kenya). Has also been trained in seed production and management by Kenya Plant and Health Services (KEPHIS), Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Kenya. Has six years working experience in crop management especially maize as in Controlled Field Trials (CFTs), maize nurseries and trials establishment and management.

Francis is responsible for the management of all crops in the field as from establishment to production, that ensures crops are produced in required standards (of D.U.S) and have met the regulatory requirements.

Mr Mulama is a trained Agricultural specialist. He holds a Master of science in crop protection from The University Of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from The University Of Nairobi. The University Of Nairobi awarded him a master’s scholarship for capacity building in plant breeding and seed technology for improved food and nutrition security in East Africa.

At QBS he assists with inventory management and control both physically and in the ERP system, He acts as the safety officer, Conducts quality assurance and quality control, assists in the liaison with Seed certification Agents and regulatory authorities.   Finally Mr. Mulama is concerned about Africa’s about food security, youth mentorship and transformational leadership.