Seasons greetings to you all and trust this finds you well. I am writing to provide you with some important updates for the IP and legal unit.

Firstly, I would like to inform you that our colleague Cynthia Kyaka is moving on to a new opportunity and will be leaving the Institute this month – her final day at ILRI will be 19 December 2014. It has been great working with Cynthia and I have no doubt these sentiments echo amongst those she supported and worked with closely and all her friends and colleagues here. The Legal Unit has achieved so much in the duration Cynthia has been at ILRI due to her diligence, persistence and commitment, her footprints are well etched and will remain so. Therefore we let her go albeit reluctantly and simply wish her the very very best. We hope to be able to give her an appropriate send off early in the new year.

We have just initiated the process of recruiting Cynthia’s replacement and we are hoping to fill the position by latest March 2015. In the interim period I will take on her responsibilities with Muthoni’s support. This includes supporting Integrated Sciences, CRPs PIM, L&F, A4NH and WLE amongst other tasks.

During the Christmas break Muthoni Mucheru and myself will proceed on leave as follows:

• Muthoni away beginning December 23, 2014 reporting back on Monday 5th of January,
• Linda away from December 23, 2014 back on Friday 9th January 2015.

During this time I will be out of the country but Muthoni will be at hand to deal with any urgent requests (email m.mucheru Tel: +254 722163750) and will be able to contact me if need be.

May I wish you all a merry merry Christmas and prosperous and promising 2015!

Linda Opati | IP & Legal Counsel
Email: l.opati@cgiar.org