What defines a kenyan woman?

By Gardy Chacha

The modern Kenyan woman has indeed come of age. She is independent, feisty, fearless and is chasing her dream in all spheres of life.

NAME: Angela Githuthu

CAREER: Owner of Decadence by Angela (Specialist of bespoke cakes and bakes)

STATUS: Single

AGE: 32

What drives you?

My faith in God, integrity and passion.

What gains do you think womenfolk have achieved from a few decades ago?

Courage to speak out, opportunities to be educated, and access to information.

How are you ensuring your future is secured financially?

I am investing in projects that will be able to deliver passive income in the long term.

What do you think about women taking charge of their lives?

It is important to be strong as a woman; because we have a greater responsibility in determining the shape society will take. We are the homemakers; there’s whole lot of wisdom that a woman can impart.

What are your career aspirations?

I’ve had a very exciting ten-year career in marketing, with amazing opportunities. I now intend to continue building great brands from a position of leadership within an organisation. I also intend to build a specialty boutique bakery to cater for the discerning palette.

How are you planning to achieve them?

Prayer first! Build the right skill set through my postgraduate studies and a professional culinary qualification. There’s also taking calculated risks and building the right network.

How are you tackling different crises that life throws at you as a woman?

I am trying to live a God-centred life, so for the most part, because it’s not always easy, I seek guidance from above.

What does spirituality mean to you?

I attend a weekly Bible study fellowship where we study God’s word cover-to-cover. I also workout and run a lot.

Define a beautiful woman? 

A beautiful woman is a defined in Proverbs 31...I don’t think I can add to that.

How do you maintain that sparkle? 

I take coffee. And I am an eternal optimist; I always hope for the best and look for the best in people and every situation.

How do you unwind?

I cook up a storm, I believe life and love can always be shared at a table or I explore the great outdoors...climb a small mountain or drive out of town.

What do you feel about having children?

I love them! They are a blessing and the single greatest gift that a woman has been bestowed.

What are your sentiments on peaceful and happy marriage today?

I believe it requires God, love (as defined in 1 Corinthians 13) patience and compromise. We need to move away from thinking we can choose to walk away from a marriage without putting in the hours.

NAME: Cynthia Nyamai

CAREER: PR Guru and TV host

STATUS: Single

AGE: 31

What gains do you think womenfolk have achieved from a few decades ago?

Women have realised that they do not have to be equal with men. We have our space and we are taking it up.

Do you think it’s important for a woman to be financially independent?

Yes! Money gives you the power to run the show. Also, financially independent women are good financial backups for family. They contribute financially to the society and economy.

How are you ensuring that your future is secured financially?

I started my own company, I tithe and I’m also investing in real estate.

How are you planning to achieve your career aspirations?

My company is already in six countries in Africa, but I want to conquer more nations. I want to sit at the table where the major decisions on Africa are made.

What does spirituality mean to you?

My spiritual life is the most important. It keeps me grounded, so I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I serve and attend Nairobi Chapel, and I also belong to an E group that meets at my home every Thursday. I recently started a small Bible group for career women and we meet once a month.

Define a beautiful woman?

Beauty is from within, and a woman who is truly a beautiful person looks great just hanging out and being herself in a pair of sweatpants and no make-up on. ‘Do I consider myself beautiful?’ That’s a big yes!

How do you unwind?

I spend time with the youth around Kenya giving motivational talks; I take long drives and spend time with my family.

What do you feel about having children?

If there is anything I want today; it is children. I envy women, especially on Sundays with their families hanging out with their husbands, and playing with their children. And when I get home everyday, how I wish I had a child meeting me at the door. It gets lonely sometimes.

NAME: Sumayya Hassan-Athmani

WORK: CEO National Oil Corporation

STATUS: Married

AGE: 39

What are the major principles that drive you in life?

Spirituality, professionalism, family values and a desire to add value to my co-travellers on the journey of life.

What gains do you think womenfolk have achieved from a few decades ago?

Women are now in fields that historically were seen to have been male preserves. This is both in the educational and the working field, and it is a big achievement for them to have done this while still handling their other roles.

Do you think it’s important for a woman to be financially independent?

Financial independence is important for both the man and the woman particularly in today’s world with the ever-escalating living costs. Whether this financial independence comes from employment, business or otherwise, is an individual decision.

How are you ensuring that your future is secured financially?

By seeking to make investments, which I consider sound, whether that is putting something aside for my children’s education or other investments.

How are you tackling different crises that life throws at you as a woman?

A woman is a born multi-tasker. With God above me and family and friends beside me, I take both the successes and challenges as an opportunity to learn. 

How are you handling your spirituality and general wellbeing as a woman?

I am very blessed to come from a prayerful family. Prayer is a key part of my life. I also exercise and I create time to do things I enjoy whether that is an outing with family and friends or going to the spa.

If you were to be asked: “what’s a woman’s essence in the society?”

A woman is the glue that keeps the family and hence, society together. She is the educator, the nurturer, the mentor, the care-giver. She has many additional roles in the wider society.

How do you ensure you keep being beautiful?

A beautiful woman is one who makes others feel better about themselves. Beauty is not only physical. Indeed the deeper beauty is the ability to touch someone’s life positively.

How do you unwind?

Exercising, enjoying my children’s antics, travelling, reading, dining out and doing social work.

How important are children in your life?

They are a blessing. I learn a lot from them, especially about how to keep it real.

NAME: Yunuke Kwamboka Ondieki

JOB: Teacher

STATUS: Single mother

AGE: 39

As a woman, what are the major principles that drive you in life?

I believe in positive approach towards life. God is supreme and helps those who keep pressing forward.

Do you think it’s important to be financially independent?

Absolutely! Women have to be financially independent if they are to be rated equal to men. If women strive to free themselves financially, then they will propel their social status.

How do you ensure your future is secured financially?

I save monthly a minimum of Sh5,000 towards my own pension scheme; I inject a minimum of Sh7,000 more capital monthly into my business.

NAME: MAGDALENE MWENDE

CAREER: HEAD OF BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION, BAMBURI CEMENT

STATUS: SINGLE

AGE: MID 30s

What drives you?

Patience of heart and mind, checks my frustrations and anger. Diligence is the fuel to climb to the top and compete with the male dominance both in social networks and work.

What gains do you think womenfolk have achieved from a few decades ago?

Women have battled their way through the male dominated world and are now in education, sports, aviation and many other sectors.

Do you think it’s important for a woman to be financially independent?

Financial matters have no sexual bias and a woman’s financial stability should not be discussed as a different agenda from men’s. A financially independent woman is the simplest person to approach for business or family investments.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to run my personal business empire.  I am also aiming at joining competitive politics.

How do you ensure you maintain your beauty?

Every woman was created in the image of God and is beautiful, but I agree beauty is relative. Beauty originates from the heart. I avoid stress to keep this beauty. It can’t be maintained in a spa.

What objects are you always carrying around in your purse?

Engineers only walk with spanners and not much make-up. I carry many pairs of shoes too.

How do you unwind?

I go to the gym frequently to work out, relax and keep fit. I also network with my friends and do lots of Lingala. What are your sentiments on peaceful and happy marriage today?

I believe marriage should be happier and better. However, it requires compatibility, goal orientation, problem-solving-skills, patience, openness and communication. I believe and trust that both men and women should make marriage an avenue of happiness and friendship not a legal battle of financial control.