The Team
We are committed to supporting independent storytellers on the African continent who describe the world as they see it, from their own unique histories, experiences, imaginings and lenses.
Susan Mbogo
Executive Director
Susan Mbogo is the Executive Director at Docubox, the East African Documentary Film Fund, where she provides strategic leadership in fundraising, partnerships, and institutional growth. With over eight years of experience in nonprofit management and film production, she has played a key role in strengthening the organisation’s operations and expanding its support for documentary filmmakers across the region.
Having grown through several roles within Docubox, Susan has developed strong expertise in grants management, financial oversight, and programme delivery. Her background in financial accounting and project management allows her to combine financial discipline with creative insight in advancing the organisation’s mission.
Susan has been instrumental in supporting more than 150 documentary films through grants and capacity-building initiatives. Her production experience spans multiple areas of filmmaking, including working as a production accountant, production manager, and line producer. In 2022, she produced her first short fiction film, Unspoken, and earned a Creative Producing Certificate from the New York Film Academy.
She has also served as a juror at several international film festivals, including the Sharjah International Film Festival, Under Our Skin International Film Festival, and the Encounters International Documentary Film Festival, among others.
Susan believes deeply in the transformative power of film to shape culture and spark dialogue. Through her work at Docubox, she is committed to supporting filmmakers and strengthening the documentary storytelling ecosystem across Africa.
Njonjo Kiroga
Operations and Programs Director
Jackie Imali
Administrator
Jackie is a committed & vibrant person who embraces teamwork and is ready to face challenges as it ignites new ideas and impels the mind to think out of the box.
Jackie is the accounts & admin person at Docubox, the position she has held with so much love and passion for many years since the inception of Docubox to date.
Jackie oversees quite a lot of business at Docubox pertaining to monetary in terms of payments locally and international, donors record, petty cash custodian, payroll, statutory payments, grantee’s disbursement record, preparing financial reports and aligning activities as per the budget lines and generally maintaining operational workspace.
Serving in this capacity which is the organization’s backbone has seen her work closely with everybody at Docubox in different departments.
Wambui Gathee
Screenings Manager & Film Curator
Wambui Gathee is a Kenyan director, producer, film curator and freelance photographer. She is currently the Screenings Manager at Docubox where she has curated and programmed award winning documentaries for regular monthly screenings in Nairobi at the Alliance Francaise for two years up until 2020. Wambui has also been curating short fiction films for about five years for an exciting quarterly film screening event called the Shorts, Shorts & Shots. Popularly known for her short film, Love Zawadi that has won three awards that gave her the title, award-winning director.
She has also worked on other films as a producer, including Blurred that has received international recognition. Wambui is also involved in impact work through film screenings and community engagement. She is currently the Screenings Manager and Film Curator at Docubox EADFF. She is also a Southern Africa Locarno Industry Academy (SALIA), Some Fine Day Pix, Great Lakes Producer's Lab, Durban Film Mart (DFM) Business Lab and Festival Academy alumni. She has had the pleasure of being a jury member of the Alliance Francaise Smartphone Competition 2023 and Wild Pitch at the Wildscreen Film Festival 2024.
Wambui is a firm believer in artistic visual storytelling that is well represented in her filmography as well as photography. She is passionate about visual storytelling and continues to hone her skills in curating, programming, and producing impactful films.
Mungai Kiroga
Internal Producer
Mungai Kiroga is a Kenyan screenwriter, director, and editor. To date, he has written scripts for several TV shows. These include three soaps, three dramas and one comedy. In 2013, Mungai wrote a feature film titled ‘Something Necessary ’. The film was produced by German director Tom Tykver.
He is currently the internal producer at DOCUBOX. His role is to provide creative and logistical support to DOCUBOX’S grantees. Mungai has overseen the production of more than thirty titles at Docubox. Topics included Climate Change, Gender Justice, Mental Health and more.
Mungai is also the co-producer of a documentary that premiered at the Tribecca film festival in June 2024, as well as a second documentary that is still in the editing phase. Both are on the topic of climate change.
In addition, Mungai was also recently Production Manager for the Video Consortium. This is an NGO that supports documentary filmmakers across the world. During his time at Video Consortium, he managed the production of 20 short documentaries filmed in multiple countries across Africa.
Gertrude Mbela
Communications & Events Manager
Gertrude M. is the Communications & Events Manager at Docubox – EADFF, where she works at the intersection of film, advocacy, and audience engagement. She leads communications strategy and curates events that amplify the voices of African documentary filmmakers and connect their stories with audiences across the region and beyond.
Her work blends expertise in social media management, event production, and content distribution - skills she’s applied to various initiatives and programs which have expanded Docubox’s reach and engagement on exciting and emerging platforms.
Gertrude holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies & Security from the University of Nairobi and a Certificate in Marketing Management from the European Business University in Luxembourg. She is passionate about cultural diversity, authentic creative expression, and celebrating African stories through both her professional role and her own artistic pursuits in visual art.
Ken Kigunda
Comms & PR Specialist
Ken Kigunda Harrison is a seasoned Communication and PR Specialist at Docubox EADFF, bringing over a decade of expertise in Strategic Communications and Knowledge Management. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ken has a well-established reputation in the industry, enhanced by his recognition as a Fellow at the Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC), underscoring his dedication to professional excellence.
Ken is pursuing a Master's Degree in Communication Studies at Kenyatta University, further strengthening his skills and knowledge. He has completed the RNTC's Social Media Mastery program in Hilversum, Netherlands, and received specialized training in Economics and Tax Justice Reportage from the Norway School of Economics. Ken's diverse training and extensive experience make him a valuable asset in communication and public relations.
Brandon Israel
Project coordinator
Brandon is a Project Coordinator at Docubox, supporting the planning and execution of docubox projects. With a background that spans music and creative production, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to coordinating teams, managing workflow, and advancing impactful narratives.
Passionate about the intersection of storytelling, culture, and social impact, Brandon is committed to contributing to projects that elevate authentic African voices and create lasting cultural influence.
Nathaniel Chiruyi
Internal Editor and Cinematographer
Nathaniel Chiruyi is a multidisciplinary storyteller, filmmaker, and cultural producer currently working as the Internal Editor and Cinematographer at Docubox. In this role, he leads the creation and management of the organisation’s internal video content—filming and editing events, producing social and impact-screening content, and developing milestone and case-study films that document Docubox’s programmes and the filmmakers it supports. He also collaborates with the communications team to develop original formats and programming for Docubox’s YouTube channel.
Working across film, music, fashion, and editorial spaces, Nathaniel builds projects that sit at the intersection of storytelling and cultural infrastructure. His work has included collaborations with global platforms such as Spotify and Netflix, as well as cultural publications like Pan African Music magazine.
Nathaniel is also deeply embedded in East Africa’s independent creative scene. Through his work with Tangaza Studios and Tangaza Magazine, he has helped develop cultural projects that document and connect emerging voices across the region—including creative gatherings such as the Bunyonyi Weekender festival in Uganda.
His work in independent cinema includes co-producing The Olympean Collection, a trilogy of short films by Mwami, and supporting the project’s regional and global tour through curated screenings and audience conversations. He has also collaborated with the Kenyan fashion label AT Odds, contributing to the brand’s visual storytelling through film and editorial content.
With a background in finance and a lifelong commitment to the arts, Nathaniel approaches storytelling with both strategic and creative intent—developing work that not only captures culture, but helps strengthen the ecosystems that sustain it across East Africa.
Ronald Owen
Office Assistant
Ronald wears many hats at Docubox! As our office assistant, he's dedicated to ensuring a smooth and comfortable work environment for both staff and guests. He's your go-to person for anything you might need, fostering a supportive atmosphere where everyone can focus on achieving Docubox's goals.
Ronald's passion extends beyond the office. When Docubox hosts film screenings for the community, he puts on his technical hat to ensure everything runs flawlessly.
But Ronald's talents don't stop there! Outside of Docubox, he's a dedicated filmmaker who recently debuted his first short film. Currently, he's busy crafting another one, showcasing his creative drive and well-rounded skill set.