Kevin Akumonyo Kimtai, Director & Treasurer

Place of Origin: Kenya

Major: Doctorate in Music Education

Interests in Pazeni Sauti: I enjoy having fun through creating music, getting to meet new friends, and expanding my network links.

Passion: My interests lie in the field of music research, choir directing, conducting, and music composition and arrangement.

Goals Post Graduation: To develop a rewarding professional career through music teaching, composition, arrangement, choir directing, and conducting while exploiting my skills and abilities and providing extensive career growth.

Christ Mane Belizaire, President

Place of Origin: Haiti, a Caribbean nation rich in culture and history

Major: Doctorate in Plant Pathology, with a focus on understanding and combating plant diseases to ensure sustainable agriculture and food security

Interests in Pazeni Sauti: Passionate about African culture, Christ Mane joined Pazeni Sauti to honor her African heritage and ancestors. She enjoys singing in African languages, which allows her to celebrate her roots in a way that brings fulfillment to both the soul and spirit. She finds a meaningful connection in the music, which deepens her respect for African traditions and the cultural links between Africa and Haiti.

Passions: Music is a profound way for Christ Mane to express emotions and heritage, particularly through African songs that resonate deeply with her identity. She also embraces meditation as a tool for self-reflection, inner peace, and maintaining focus in both personal and academic pursuits.

Goals Post-Graduation: She aims to work in agricultural extension and outreach, providing communities with knowledge and resources for sustainable farming practices. She hopes to travel to Africa, where she can not only give back through her agricultural expertise but also connect directly with the continent that holds significant cultural and ancestral meaning for her.

Kelvin Aloryi, Vice President

Kelvin D. Aloryi is a second-year PhD student in the Plant Breeding Graduate Program. He holds a master’s degree in crop breeding and genetics from

South China Agricultural University (China). His research focuses on improving heat tolerance in lettuce using molecular and genomic tools. Kelvin is co-founder of the Bolster Initiative Association, a global educational platform that provides guidance on research mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and career development for students and professionals across Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe. He is passionate about volunteerism and community service, contributing to youth empowerment and education. In his free time, Kelvin enjoys soccer, reading, and singing.