Stereotypes locking girls out of coveted courses

Naomi Wangari fixing a low-speed coupling at KenGen energy plant in Olkaria. Less than 25 women apply for the free Female Engineering Sponsorship Programme advertised every year to support women in marginalised communities seeking to pursue courses in craft, certificate and diploma levels in technical institutions. We spoke to some of the women working in technical fields to try and understand why.

At an expansive power generation firm in Olkaria, Naomi Wangari carefully removes damaged cogs from a low-speed coupling that joins the generator to the turbine.

The damaged coupling will then be sent for repairs in Nairobi to have the cogs replaced. If the refurbishing does not work, a new coupling may have to be procured, possibly overseas.