Our Team
We think we have the best team out there, and we love to shout about it.
At Mama Ashanti, we are a close-knit team of 50+ Management and Staff.
We appreciate how much our tradition of great customer service has contributed to our success since 2014.
In the hot kitchens of Mama Ashanti Lavington and Mama Ashanti Waterfront, you’ll find skilled chefs that cook authentic West African dishes that wow the senses. Meanwhile, front of the house, Mama Ashanti waiters, waitresses, bartenders and hosts all wear an Ankara print uniform, plus a smile on their face, ready to swing into action.
From the beginning, we set out to be a different kind of restaurant. One that not only celebrates authentic West African cuisine, but also connection.
Our Culture of Family
Making sure the staff love what they do is just as important as making sure our customers love what we do.
That’s why we believe in a strong culture of togetherness. Family is everything, and all Mama Ashanti staff work closely, supporting and engaging with one another and the customers.
The Management at Mama Ashanti invests in the latest training and accreditations for the staff, so they have the skills and tools they need to achieve their personal and professional goals.
Our Values
- Feel at Home – Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome.
- Better Together – Through teamwork and collaboration, we find new ways to grow our company and each other.
- Purpose Driven – Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results.
- Positive Impact – Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect.
Meet The Team
Get to know the Mama Ashanti team. Join us for lunch or dinner at Mama Ashanti Lavington or Mama Ashanti Waterfront. In the meantime, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for some smiling faces and brief introductions!
Hawas Matta
Hawas Matta is the founder of Mama Ashanti Kenya. His career in Telecomm & Fintech has taken him around Africa. Not being able to find restaurants with the kinds of foods he was familiar with back home left him feeling unfulfilled. The common desire wove a bond between him and many of the West African professionals in diaspora.
In 2014 he put his money where his mouth was (literally) and setup Mama Ashanti with his wife and business partners. He has contributed greatly in setting up & directing the Finance department. When he isn’t enjoying the taste of a hotly spiced meal, you’ll probably find him running round Nairobi trying to burn off the extra pounds.
Akuoamoah Boateng
Akuoamoah Boateng popularly known as "Kwame" or "Nana" is one of the founders of Mama Ashanti Kenya. His unique passion for cooking and ability to connect with clients together with his experience in the industry has made him a valuable founder of the business. He has combined over 30 years of experience of working in the UK and nearly 10 years of running a successful Ghanaian restaurant in Uganda to help make Mama Ashanti into what it is today. He is also a doting family man who loves to cook for his family and friends while at home.
Afum Matta
Afum Matta is a lawyer and an entrepreneur with a Masters in international Business law and a passion for cooking good food as an act of love and service. She's also a wife and mother of 3 boys. She and her husband Hawas Matta have pulled their strengths together to set up Mama Ashanti. She has played an integral role in building systems and structures for the business; specifically setting up the employee and customer service culture of Mama Ashanti.
Kris Senanu
Kris is an accomplished business leader with over 25 years’ experience in creating enabling environments and building high-performance teams. Kris is passionate about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and has enabled many businesses to start up as an Angel investor and to grow as a business strategist. He is a transformational leader and respected ICT champion with a passion for finding, grooming and coaching talent. Kris has been investing in SME’s for many years and has birthed many brands such as Mama Ashanti, Kipato, Stawika and Presta all of which have become house hold names. Kris is a distinguished fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Kenya Institute of Management and holds an MBA in Strategic Management from Warwick Business School.
John Mutunga
Admin Manager
Roseline Ashika
Delivery Manager
Nancy Mihang'o
Service Manager
Dennis Wanyama
Head of Stores
Lilian Wambui
Sales and Events Coordinator
Maureen Kegode
Head Chef Lavington
Gladys Njeri
Head of Finance
Afum Matta
HR Director
Daniel Ochieng'
Branch Manager Waterfront
Daniel Kodua
Head Chef Waterfront
Reservations
Make a reservation to dine in for lunch with friends or host a casual business meeting. Grab a cocktail after work or celebrate a special moment over dinner.