Ms. Irene Kinoti is an Urban and Regional Planner, Researcher, and social development professional at Pamoja Trust with over six years of experience in land and housing rights, inclusive urban and rural development, environmental justice, climate resilience, and community-centered planning. Her work focuses on generating evidence to inform and influence policy and practice, particularly within informal settlements, peri-urban areas, rural communities, and the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

At Pamoja Trust, Irene applies action research and participatory approaches to strengthen inclusive planning, secure land rights, and promote equitable development. She plays a key role in synthesizing evidence emerging from the organization & programmes and contributes to knowledge generation and policy dialogue through initiatives such as the Utafiti Sera Urban Governance Platform.

Her professional interests include urban governance, climate adaptation, geospatial technologies, land governance, and socially responsive planning approaches that bridge data, policy, and community realities. She is deeply committed to strengthening community agency, advancing rights-based approaches to planning and governance, and fostering inclusive and sustainable development.