Dr Ong’ayo is a political scientist by training and currently an academic researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University in The Hague. He obtained a master’s degree in Political Science (cum laude) with a specialisation in Politics and Development, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science (cum laude) from Stockholm University, Sweden. He undertook a postgraduate study in Management of Health and Psychosocial Services in the developing countries at Uppsala University Sweden and holds a Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (with distinction). He has been a research fellow at the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) in Maastricht and Transnational Institute (TNI) Amsterdam. He obtained his master’s degree in Politics and Development, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stockholm University, Sweden. He also holds a Diploma in Labour Studies and Management. Since May 2016 he sits in the Commission on Development Cooperation (COS) of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs to the Dutch Government (AIV). He is also a member of the advisory board for Justice and Peace Netherlands (Justitia et Pax Nederland) and board member of The Hague Peace Project.

Ong’ayo, has several years of work experience with several international development organisations. Besides his regular work at SINAM; he was also the Liaison Officer for East Africa, for ISAAC International, (Reading, the UK). He was until 2004 the Project Coordinator in Kenya for The Levi Trust, a UK charity based in Norwich East Anglia. His main areas of expertise include migration and development, peacebuilding, democratic governance and development, civil society and democratization; addiction treatment and programme management. Apart from his current research interests and undertakings, he has also been participating in the China-Africa relations debate through civil society and academic discussion with Chinese counterparts in Shanghai and Beijing and with European and American research and non-governmental organizations. Ongayo began working in the care field through his volunteer work in the City of Kisumu and later apostolate with Franciscan Friars in Nakuru where he worked with street boys using glue and cannabis. He continued with this work in Mombasa where he helped establish a comprehensive programme at the Grand Son of Abraham, Catholic Diocese of Mombasa. He soon found that whilst he could provide the boys with short term help e.g. food, shelter and repatriation back home, they needed longer-term care which entail psycho-social care. In view of this Antony started working with addicted persons at his private residence where he gained the initial knowledge and experience, backed by reading widely about addiction.

In 1998, he received a scholarship to study Management of Health and Psycho-social Services at Uppsala University in Sweden where he could learn even more about addiction and intervention strategies at various levels in the developing countries. The same year (1998) Ong’ayo visited Arta in the Netherland where he had firsthand experience with a more modern and holistic approach to addiction treatment. This became the turning point in SINAM’s treatment approach and eventually led to the development of a programme that suits local conditions in Kenya while at the same time embracing modern and scientific approaches to treatment. This process has been n going for over ten years and is finally setting the stage for a multipurpose addiction treatment facility and comprehensive programme in western Kenya. All these experiences have shaped his value of life and currently informing his pursuit of advanced studies, to be equipped with necessary tools for effective service to the most marginalized in all societies.