Timona Jarha

Founder & CEO

Timona Jarha is a seasoned Senior Executive and two-time fintech Founder whose work spans both North America and East Africa. With a deep passion for technology-driven solutions, he has dedicated his career to improving financial access for families, communities, and institutions across borders.

Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Timona served as the Director of Operations for a landmark $40 million public–private malaria prevention initiative in Tanzania. There, he led nationwide operations and oversaw the creation of a 7,000-retailer distribution network, powering the first large-scale eVoucher public health platform in Africa. His leadership helped transform how essential health products reached millions of vulnerable women and children.

Entrepreneurship has always been at the core of Timona’s journey. He founded Shaka Mobile, the first MVNO built for the African diaspora, enabling affordable communication and early cross-border mobile money transfers as far back as 2009. Today, he continues to push boundaries as the Founder & CEO of Bongo Pesa and Founder of Skool Pesa, two innovative fintech platforms reshaping remittances and school fee payments.

Timona also serves as a Director at the African Center for Mobile Financial Inclusion (ACMFI), advancing digital finance initiatives across the continent.

Steve Muliru

Co-Founder & CTO

Steve Muliru is a passionate technology innovator and fintech engineer specializing in cybersecurity, DevSecOps, systems architecture, and user-centric product development. With over five years of hands-on experience across modern tech stacks, Steve brings deep technical expertise and strategic leadership to Bongo Pesa’s vision of secure, seamless cross-border payments.

Steve has designed and built real-time financial management systems for microfinance institutions, strengthening their operational efficiency and empowering thousands of users with modern financial tools. He has also provided digital security consulting for organizations seeking to safeguard sensitive data and modernize their infrastructure—experience that now underpins Bongo Pesa’s strong commitment to safety, resilience, and compliance.

A dedicated contributor to the East African tech ecosystem, Steve has worked within fintech startups, led engineering teams, and mentored emerging developers. His ability to blend strategic thinking with practical engineering makes him a critical force in shaping Bongo Pesa’s platform architecture and long-term technology roadmap.

As Co-Founder & CTO, Steve leads the development of Bongo Pesa’s secure, scalable, and high-performance systems—ensuring the platform delivers a world-class experience while staying ahead of evolving cybersecurity and regulatory requirements.