Simon is the Executive Director and lead researcher at Kula Vyema Centre of Food Economics, which he founded in 2017 (initially as Agri-Food Economics Africa). He has a PhD in agricultural economics from the University of Goettingen in Germany, and has more than 15 years’ experience in socioeconomics research spanning various topics. He has led many studies, impact evaluations and surveys both at Kula Vyema Centre and its predecessor Agri-Food Economics Africa, awarded by various regional and international organizations. He worked previously at Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development (Tegemeo Institute) in Kenya, the University of Goettingen, and also at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Kenya.  He has also undertaken individual consultancies with various international organizations.

Simon is an accomplished researcher in various areas including food systems, food security and nutrition, food environments, agricultural policy, rural development, poverty reduction, market systems, agricultural value chains, nutrition transition, and consumer preferences. He has strong analytical and communication skills, and has published more than 15 internationally peer-reviewed publications (https://bit.ly/googlescholar-kimenju) as well various consultancy reports. He is a member of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) and the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE)