Breaking barriers: The women revolutionising production lines

Breaking barriers: The women revolutionising production lines (Photo: iStock) In industries long dominated by men, a quiet revolution is brewing, powered by a trailblazing group of women who are redefining the landscape with their skill, resilience and leadership. From the intricate science of brewing and the precision of packaging to the complexities of sustainable energy and carbon capture, these remarkable women are forging a future where their contributions are not only recognised but celebrated. Judith Vera Onyango Judith Vera Onyango, 37 Judith Vera Onyango's expertise in electrical engineering and asset care has given her the skills to keep machines running smoothly. Starting with machine uptime and reliability, Judith now operates the Packer and Palletizer complex machinery that she handles with ease. "For me, these machines aren't just equipment; they're trusted partners," Judith says, adding that her engineering background helps her minimise delays and breakdowns, ensuring maximum efficiency. Confident and undaunted, Judith stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and skill in a traditionally male-dominated field. These women aren't just paving the way, they're creating a blueprint for future generations. With unwavering determination, they're reshaping the industry, breaking through barriers, and proving that when women lead, excellence follows. From Caroline's innovative approach to brewing to Judith's mastery of machinery, they all share one vision: to inspire and empower the women who will follow in their footsteps. The future of production is not just about efficiency, it's about creating spaces where women thrive and lead with purpose. Dorcas Wambui Dorcas Wambui, 25 Dorcas is a Chemical and Process Engineer with a specialisation in Sustainability Management. She has always been fascinated by the Manufacturing process. "Growing up, I always googled big industries like Unilever and I tried to understand how they made products from scratch. Science has always been my favourite subject and when I went to high school, I immediately fell in love with Chemistry." "Later on, my decision to pursue Chemical Engineering at university was influenced by my love for Chemistry. My dream has always been to turn simple raw materials into useful and valuable products that people can use," she says. At Acutte Energies, Dorcas is a Co-founder and also the Product Development and Technology Lead, a sustainability company that transforms plastic and tyre waste into valuable resources. With a strong understanding of renewable energy technologies and material recovery, she says, they focus on continuously improving the pyrolysis technology by refining the already existing products. "My passion for sustainability and innovation is what motivates me." Dorcas is keen on leaving a positive impact on the environment. "I believe that my efforts will result in a significant reduction in tyre and plastic waste, eco-friendlier energy sources, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and offer green jobs that empower local communities, especially the youth." Samia Yahya Samia Yahya, 26 As a child, Samia Yahya dreamed of becoming an aeronautical engineer. "I was fascinated by the idea of building planes," she recalls. "That was the dream for a long time." But even back then, her deep love for mathematics began shaping a different path. "In primary school, I used to spend most of my time doing math-even on days when we had exams in other subjects. I remember during my KCPE exams, I had English one morning, but I spent the night and early morning doing math practice, even though I had already finished the math exam. It just felt like my day couldn't start or end without it. Math gave me a sense of clarity and fulfilment." "That's when I really connected with physics and chemistry alongside math. I began to explore how these subjects come together in real-world problem-solving-and that's when I discovered chemical and process engineering," she says. Determined to follow this new dream, Samia joined Moi University to pursue a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering and graduated with First Class Honours. Today, she is a Lead Process Design Engineer at a cutting-edge Direct Air Capture company (Octavia Carbon), working to develop technologies that remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. "It's incredibly rewarding to be part of something that's not only technically challenging but also deeply meaningful. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, and I get to be part of a talented team building real solutions." Her work spans process design, energy optimisation, system testing and scale-up planning, all to make carbon removal more efficient and accessible. "Every day brings a new challenge, but also a new opportunity to learn and push the boundaries." For Samia, engineering is more than just a job; it's a purpose. "I didn't end up building aeroplanes, but I'm still building something that flies, only this time, it's a future where we can thrive sustainably. And that's a dream I'm proud to live every day." Rose Kwamboka Rose Kwamboka, 38 Rose is an Instrumentation and Control Engineer. She likes to think that she is currently living her dream. "Growing up, I wanted to be a teacher like my dad. While in primary school, my maths teacher realised that I was very good at the subject. I overheard him telling my dad that I was an engineer in the making. Curiosity led to wanting to know more about engineering. Going to high school, I realised I was doing very well in maths and physics." "Naturally, I started playing with the idea of getting into engineering after high school. It became a dream where I invested my efforts and time to achieve and here we are today. " At UDV's production line five, she works as a machine operator and is big on only releasing the best to the market. According to her: "This for me is not just an employer's regulation, it is a personal conviction that quality is king or, because we are a women-only production line, queen." Encouraged by the shift in her industry, she is positive that many young women will continue to join what was once a male-dominated field and thrive. Caroline Makau, 37 For Caroline Makau, the seeds of her engineering career were planted at home. Her mother, a nurse who balanced family and work seamlessly, inspired her early on. The drive for excellence only intensified during her time at Egerton University, where a brewing unit sparked a passion that would define her career. Now, as the Brand Change Lead at Kenya Breweries Limited, Caroline serves as the bridge between marketing and operations, ensuring that consumer needs are met with precision. "Innovation is an ongoing process," Caroline explains. "It starts with research, continues with ideation and ends with delivering a product that speaks to market needs." Caroline's work is not just about production; it's about sustainability, and she is passionate about staying ahead of industry trends, even pursuing a brewing certification from the University of Nottingham. "Women face self-doubt in male-dominated fields," she admits. "But every day, our work makes it easier for the next generation of women to enter the industry with confidence." Dorcas Mwende, 36 Dorcas's journey to engineering wasn't linear, but it was one of perseverance. From a diploma in Mechanical Engineering to a Bachelor's degree, Dorcas's grit saw her rise from machine operator to Shift Team Lead on Kenya Cane's production line. "Efficiency is the backbone of my role," she says. "When changeovers are involved, every second counts." Dorcas's focus on resource management, both raw materials and human capital, has seen significant success, including leading the Park Dress initiative, which improved packaging defect rates by nearly 60 per cent. Her advice to young women? "Be resilient, stay open-minded and keep learning. We are proof that anything is possible." Cynthia Jerono, 33 A natural leader, Cynthia Jerono thrives in a women-only production line, managing over 80 people daily. With a background in Food Science Technology and Project Management, Cynthia is the backbone of quality control and team management at UDV. "Turning raw materials into consumable, safe products-that's my job every day," she explains. Leading a team of women, she's proud to shatter industry stereotypes, proving that women can not only thrive but excel in spaces once considered male territory. Balancing work and family isn't easy, but Cynthia credits her family and partner with providing the support she needs to succeed. Her career highlight? Commissioning UDV's production line five, which she led from installation to full production. She continues to mentor young women in STEM, knowing that initiatives like the STEM Apprentice program are key to growing women's representation in industries like hers.

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