Food For Thought: Now that we have been recognized as one of the few emerging markets of the world; more precisely, "Emerging Markets: Powerhouses of the future?" as the map portrays, what are we going to do to ensure positive growth, not only economically, but also morally? http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/specials/global-exchange/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Thank you and enjoy this week's Kenya's Women and Men of the Week.
This week's "Kenya's Women and Men of the Week" are: Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament, Hon. Prof. Hellen Sambili; Scientist, Dr. Florence Wambugu; Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Ann Njogu; Chief Executive, Joseph Mucheru; Chief Executive, Louis Otieno; and, Entrepreneur and Restaurateur, Martin Dunford.
Her passion for the youth is as Mother Theresa's passion for the less-fortunate. Before joining government, Hon. Prof. Hellen Sambili began her professional path as a teacher at Moi High School in Kabarak. She then became a lecturer in the Department of Curriculum of Egerton University, Associate Professor in the same department, Head of the same department, and Head of Post-graduate Studies, still at Egerton University. She joined government in 2007, as a Member of Parliament for Mogotio Constituency (2007- Present), and went on to become Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports (2008-2010), Minister for Youth and Gender (2010), Minister for East African Community (2010), and acting Higher Education Minister.
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I joined Kipng'orom Primary School when I was seven, but had to move to Kiplombe Primary in 1970 due to the severe drought that affected our district. I had to bear the long distance to school and back home, but I never gave up. After successfully completing my primary school education, I enrolled at Nakuru High School for my ordinary certificate of education. Later, despite having qualified for the advanced certificate, I opted to take a diploma course at the Kenya Science Teachers' College, against my former principal's wishes.
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In the 2007 general elections, I contested a strong field of five men among them was the incumbent, immediate former Mogotio Member of Parliament. When I emerged as the winner, I was as surprised as were most Kenyans and I thank God for what happened, since I never lobbied for the position.
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Besides being a minister, i am also involved in the management of several schools in Koibatek and Nakuru and in several local and international education programmes. I also launched the National Youth Employment Fund to help the youth in the country. This has the aim of creating employment for the youth through public funding and the financing of youth enterprise initiatives.
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Dr. Florence Wambugu is an accomplished scientist who has published over 100 articles, and co-authored various papers in the area of Biotechnology. She is the Founder and CEO of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation. In 2008, she was awarded the Yara Prize Award, which is given by the Norway-based Yara Foundation, to those who have made a significant contribution to the reduction of poverty and hunger in Africa.
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I took and interest in my environment and education at an early age. Noticing my potential, my mother defied cultural norms and, despite relative poverty, sold her only cow to pay for my education. Her sacrifice and boundless faith in me have left an indelible mark in my heart and are the principle reason why I am a scientist today.
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It was at ISAAA ( International Service for Acquisitions of Agribiotech Applications) that I observed the institutional anatomy of global networks and learned numerous lessons that resulted in a vision to found Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International ( Africa Harvest). This burgeoning idea was a truly powerful one and I invested all my termination benefits after my resignation from ISAAA in 2001 into this embryonic idea. Today I have harvested its products.
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My valedictory note when I 'resign' will be that I ventured into the deep, where my feet could not touch the ground. I moved from my comfort zone, challenged myself and thrived on the challenge. My Christian faith has taught me that God has used my life to bless others and I will continue to keep fulfilling that purpose."
In 2010, this Lawyer and Human Right Activist was awarded the prestigious International Woman of Courage Award by the US. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, for working tirelessly for the Human Rights. Ann Njogu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Africa Community Development Media and is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of the famous CREAW ( Centre for Human Rights Education and Awareness).
"My life story begins in the now volatile floor of the Great Rift Valley in Nakuru, where I was born. I am the third child in a loving and caring family of seven, born of a mechanical engineer father, Peter Njuguna and my mother, a teacher - Ziphora Wangui Njuguna. I have fond memories growing up, ever curious and adventurous, the breaker of boundaries.
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The initial idea of The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW), a non-governmental organization, was to create a 'safe house' for women that had survived gender and sexual based violence. This became my platform to influence the changes we desired in society. We ( with other co-founders) realized early enough that in future the organization's agenda would grow organically to allow it to remain relevant to societal needs.
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I would die for what I believe in, social justice is that important to me. It is for this reason that when I work on issues that move our country towards equity justice and empowerment of the citizenry especially women, I feel like I have conquered the world. I stand up for Kenyans in this young democracy to ensure we get the kind of leadership we deserve; the culture must change from one that functions on self interest to one that is based on core issues and values driven by integrity, accountability and social justice.
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Joseph Mucheru is the Regional Lead for Google in sub-Saharan Africa, Nairobi. An ICT professional of repute, Mucheru is co-founder and the former Chief Executive Officer of Wananchi Group Limited as well as Wananchi Online Limited. The Stanford trained Mucheru began his career as an Analyst and Administrator at the department of Transport, Marsham Street in London, UK.
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I joined Njeri Rionge and went ahead to set-up Wananchi Online with the support of our angelic investor the late James Gachui, and Joseph Kamau. People were initially sceptical about the company name but they quickly understood our message which was to ensure internet access for the common mwananchi. We charged KES12, 000 a year for unlimited internet access instead of the KES12,000 per month for metered internet on offer at the time. We grew fast and eventually had the largest number of domain names in the country, the largest webhost and over a hundred employees with branches across Kenya.
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I had barely stepped outside the airport security and clearance area when I received a call from Google’s head recruiter in Kenya who wanted to meet. I accepted their offer after discussing it with my wife and coming to the conclusion that it was the best option.
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The drive and passion inherent in our youth is something that gives me great excitement. I love when my daughter picks up the phone and wonders why she cannot see the cousin she’s talking to through the phone. That means that we are constantly being challenged by the youth to urgently look for solutions without waiting for us. However, it saddens me that we are not providing enough support such as mentorship, scholarship or even internship programs. These programs would catapult our youth to success.
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One of the leaders to watch on the regional Information Technology platform, Louis Otieno is the General Manager - Microsoft East & Southern Africa. He has been globally recognized and was nominated to “The Leading Minds “ – a worldwide forum for high potential young business executives engaged in political and business leadership.
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When I left Kenya to study abroad, my initial intention was to pursue Architecture at the University because I was a good artist; an attribute I still hold dear in my heart. This however changed when I was exposed to the computer world and with time I dumped architecture for computer science. This helped me to find my radar regarding the profession I needed to pursue in life as I became focussed, determined and mentally prepared. I realized you may be doing one thing today, and then find yourself changing to something totally different tomorrow.
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When I look at Kenya today there is a lot am hopeful about. This country has produced men and women of substance who work in different parts of the world in positions of stature. Whilst these countrymen and women are not accorded the commensurate recognition at home, they certainly are playing a leading role in uplifting the national flag. As a country we need to develop a framework that effectively and proactively taps into the immense raw talent around the country and propel them into national leadership beacons.
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I encourage parents to bring up their children well, appreciating that life skills are as important as education. We need to be aware of global developments and the opportunities that exist. Against this backdrop, I try to encourage my four daughters to learn about the whole world, although they live in Kenya. In this ever changing technological world and despite their young age, I ensure they are kept abreast with the dynamism in the technology arena.
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Martin Dunford is the Executive Director of the Tamarind Group, an international player in the hotel and service industry with restaurants in Kenya, Egypt and South Africa, including the world famous Carnivore Restaurant, voted one of the 50 best restaurants in the world. Dunford’s successes exemplify the dedication and daring he has brought to the competitive hospitality industry and to the standard of service in Kenya. A former swimmer, he is the father of Olympic swimming stars Jason and David Dunford.
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I spent the first 13 years of my life in Kenya and upon completion of my primary school at Kenton College in Nairobi I left for Scotland, where I spent the next five years studying at the secondary school level. My love of sports helped to uphold my equilibrium and focus, resulting in a well-rounded scholar-athlete who came fairly close to the top of the class.
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‘When in doubt go flat out‘, never do it by half, get in there and keep working on it until you have to move on. That is my motto. I grew up with a fear of failure but I now believe that failure is a great lesson in life. Chris Seex, the Founder of Tamarind, taught me that failure is part of our education and it is better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. I took that advice when I was 22 years old, ran with it and I have never looked back since. Thirty-five years later, the Tamarind Group has a chain of prospering restaurants in Kenya and South Africa.
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It is time for our youth to step up and play a more important role in running this country as the future belongs to them and the older generation have made a mess of things. They have more potential than any other generation in Kenya’s history. They are more educated, better equipped, and have the energy to direct this country in a positive direction. However to accomplish this they have to be moral, straightforward and focus on one area of expertise. We are in a very competitive world and one needs to focus to succeed. My advice to the youth is to try and establish a business while they wait for a job. I would also urge the youth to be more environmentally aware because we all have to do our bit. Everyone is concerned about it but not enough people are doing anything. Tamarind has been planting trees for years and trying to use more renewable energy sources.
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Read more of these stories and others in "Life Journeys: Seeking Destiny,"(Women achievers) and "Life Journeys: Scaling Heights," (Male achievers) two ground breaking coffee-table books that present written vignettes of high-achieving women and men in Kenya.
Each Woman and Man was interviewed by a young and talented Footprints Press collaborator who indulged in the mentoring moment as they sat at the foot of the hero before them. The idea was to evoke a symbolic passing of the baton.
The women and men profiled include writers, musicians, politicians, corporate global players, professors, scientists, sportswomen, judges, artists, actors, clergymen, and more. All are accomplished leading professional in their chosen fields and all have an option on the journey they have travelled and the wisdom they have gathered along the way.
Accompanying each narrative are resonating photographs which tell their own story and complete each vignette.
These books will surprise and inspire.
These books will surprise and inspire.
Both "Life Journeys: Seeking Destiny," and "Life Journeys: Scaling Heights" are available at:
- Bookstop, Yaya Centre,
- Text Book Center, Sarit Centre and Junction mall
- Savanis Bookstore, Westgate Mall
- Prestige Bookshop, off Mama Ngina Street (next to 20th Century)
- African Book Service off Koinange Street
- Lisa's, Muthaiga Shopping Centre
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