A master of public speaking

By Brenda Kageni

There is little to compare with the inspiration that comes from listening to a well-prepared and organised speech made with flawless delivery. We nostalgically remember times when we sat speechless as a speaker wove spells around us with their words and ideas.

Notable orators like Martin Luther King Jr, Cicero, Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler were revered for the hypnotic power they had over their audiences through the spoken word.

Angela Rarieya (second right) with participants during the Toastmasters Annual Gala Dinner held at Nairobi’s Sarova Panafric on July 4, where she was the MC

From entries around the world, hers impressed the judges most. Second place went to a Korean Kevin Parent and third place went to yet another Kenyan, David d’Souza. This is the first time a Kenyan has won the first place.

Speaking about the contents of her speech, Rarieya said: "It was a wake up call to people to seize the moment and live to their fullest. There is never really a right time. Get up and do what you want to do. No one has the promise of tomorrow".

Rarieya believes language serves more than just a communication function.

"We are living at a time when there is so much noise and communication that the art of speaking has been lost. Language is an art; it’s a thing of beauty" she explained.

She has always loved the creative arts, which she attributes to a family upbringing that placed a high premium on learning and reading. She also attended schools that nurtured creative writing, music and drama.

Inspiring young girls

"I always had a lot of creative energy that drew me to literature, poetry and music. Through public speaking, I can express my love for art," she says.

Rarieya grew up in Mombasa and attended Loreto schools. Her first degree was in education after which she taught music at Loreto Girls’ High School in Limuru.

She waxes lyrical: "I love to dance. I love music. I love literature. There is so much beautiful literature around us."

Angela with saxophonist, Sam Nyanjom and Sonali Shah, who assisted her.

One of her greatest highlights while teaching, she says, was getting students who were timid at the piano to learn to enjoy the music.

She, however, was disappointed that the subjects (such as music) she was so passionate about were pushed to the periphery by a new curriculum. She then tried her hand at marketing.

She later took up a sales and marketing job at the Kenya Literature Bureau and later followed her curiosity to the financial sector. She undertook an MBA, after which she worked at PriceWaterCoopers, and later at Old Mutual as an asset manager. Currently, she is the head of customer experience at CFC-Stanbic.

Rarieya is excited by the new frontiers that have been opened by the award.

"Much as I have been doing this as a hobby, I can now take up speaking assignments. It has given me the impetus to expand and take my skills out there," she says.

She is taking up more speaking and mentoring engagements, especially those targeted at the youth in schools.

Recently, Rarieya, along with several other toastmasters, visited Graceland School in Nyeri to counsel students about career choices. She will soon be headed for Transmara to talk to girls who are struggling with early marriage and poor academic performance.

Other Toastmasters in Kenya include Jagi Gakunju (CEO, AAR), Sam Kimani (Deputy CEO, KCB), Mukhisa Kituyi( former minister for Trade and Industry), Zain Virjeee (CNN International), Sunny Bindra (Management Consultant) and Oyunga Pala who is a columnist.

Rarieya would love to write to motivate people to achieve their dreams.

"I want to help people appreciate life and themselves. I would also like to speak to parents. If we get it right with children when they are still young, we will have well adjusted adults." finishes Rarieya, an orator who truly deserves a standing ovation.