The CYL (Kenya) Team

Justin Mabeya -- Chairman

Justin Mabeya has spent the last 20 years giving back to his community in Nairobi, Kenya.  He hopes to continue to do so as a director of Can YA Love (Kenya).  CYL (K) is Can YA Love’s first international project that will benefit residents living in informal settelements in Nairobi and throughout Kenya.  His vast experience in agriculture in Africa,  intellectual property, and community development make Justin the perfect person to head CYL (K). 

Justin studied Horticulture at Egerton University, obtained a Master of Science in Crop Protection at the University of Nairobi, and received a diploma in intellectual property from the University of South Africa.

Justin lives in Nairobi with his wife and 3 children.

David Ndung'u --Treasurer

David Ndung’u is a Nairobi based Biomedical Scientist working for the community as an Alternative Medicine Consultant (Naturopath). He has been involved in community health programs within Nairobi and many other major towns within Kenya. One of the great achievements in his life has been the planning, organization and facilitation of a free medical camp in Mt. Elgon District in 2009. His passion is giving back to the community an taking every golden opportunity to share God’s blessings with the needy. His expertise will help Can YA Love (Kenya) have even greater impact with the use of medicinal herbs being part of the gardens that are built, giving preemptive care and some relief to people that don’t have access to other medicines.

David studied Biomedical Science and Technology at Egerton University, Kenya.

David lives in Nairobi with his wife and is a father to one child.

Joan Oteto -- Secretary

Joan Oteto is a teacher by profession and a part time community counselor. She is currently based in Nairobi. She is a qualified trainer of trainers on Primary School Action for Better Health(PSABH).Joan has been working with community of Kisumu on HIV/AIDS related issues as a counselor. Can YA Love opens another avenue to empower individuals health wise by using agriculture as a stabilizing force in their lives.

Joan is a diploma holder in Early Childhood Education from Kenyatta University, Kenya. She lives in Nairobi and her husband and three children reside in Kisumu.

Kevin Were -- Vice Chairman

Kevin Were is an ICT professional with more than ten years in training and coordination of ICT projects. He currently is based in Nairobi, Kenya. All along Kevin has had the passion to use his skills to the betterment of the needy in society and Can YA Love (Kenya) makes the perfect place to fully implement his knowledge and skills. Kevin wants to take the nature-first agriculture methods of CYL and implement his technological footprint on both the efficiency of the gardens and vitality of the crops. He holds a BSC in Information Sciences from Moi University, an International Diploma in Computer Studies from NCC and training on Emergency communication from the United States Telecommunication Training Institute (USTTI). Kevin is the passionate father of one son.

Benjamin Friton -- Board Member

Benjamin Friton is a Washington, D.C.-based speech professional. His work has afforded him the rare opportunity to work with many influential organizations and leaders of the philanthropic, professional and political worlds.  Working with incredible leaders such as the Obamas, Elie Wiesel and Desmond Tutu among others, Ben was inspired to pursue efforts that were both humanitarian and sustainable.  In 2011, Ben co-founded Can YA Love, an urban gardening non-profit meant to serve the most neglected communities in the world and the children that call these places home. 

Driven by the desire to end poverty and world hunger, Ben hopes Can YA Love will help everyone improve their living situations through creativity, cooperation, and love. Ben has dedicated himself to studying slum communities around the world to both help the people that live there, but also to learn the vital lessons that should inspire all of us. As a father himself, Ben is vested in the planet’s future and sees helping children in particular, as the most important responsibility we have.

To contact any of the CYL (K) team or to learn more about getting involved with our projects, please email CYLKenya@gmail.com.

For information about the members of the CYL team in the United States click here. Can YA Love USA