Janet Ngombalu: Dedicated to making the world better

Janet Ngombalu: Dedicated to making the world better (Photo: J. Ngombalu) Still reeling from the loss of her relative in the recent femicide crisis, Ms Janet Ngombalu shakes with fury at the mere mention of gender violence statistics in Kenya. With her teary eyes darting from left to right, the object of her fury is that many perpetrators remain free, with little hope of ever facing justice. It is what it is, some would say. Even more worrying for her, she says, is the disturbing trend of victim-blaming by people who claim that women and girls have been targeted due to their greed for money. At least 97 women were killed between August 2024 and February this year, according to authorities. "When society starts blaming victims for the femicide we've been witnessing, it signals a deeply troubling trend we must confront," she tells Evewoman Magazine. "We must raise our voices even louder against every form of injustice, especially against vulnerable women and girls." For years, Ms Ngombalu has dedicated her career to uplifting women and marginalised communities, driven by the belief that there's enough for everyone. She isn't about to give up. In her conviction, all society needs to do is treat people with dignity and equality. "In a situation where moral decay and the breakdown of value-based systems have taken root in homes, it's the poor who suffer the most," she says. Just two weeks after being named one of Africa's Top 10 Influential Women Leaders to Watch in 2025 by CIO Magazine, Ms Ngombalu remains optimistic about the future and opens up on what it will take to level up things for vulnerable women. At Christian Aid, where she serves as Country Director, she oversees a broad portfolio of empowerment programmes spanning climate change, education, poverty eradication, food systems and gender justice, which have helped put vulnerable Kenyan women in a better place. Her leadership, the CIO magazine notes, "has redefined the intersection of development and advocacy in Kenya by combining mentorship, policy influence and grassroots initiatives to pave the way for future generations of women leaders in Africa." To her, the impact on the lives of people matters more than titles. "I want to be remembered as someone who fought for justice, empowered others and made a difference that outlives me," she says. As she narrates her journey, her legacy is already visible in the empowerment projects she leads. In Nairobi's Mukuru slums, Ms Ngombalu used her current position to push for a shelter and legal aid programme for victims of gender-based violence. Together with her Christian Aid team, they acts as a first responder in informal settlements, offering survivors a lifeline. "We support survivors to rebuild their lives through economic empowerment. Where necessary, we provide startup capital to help them launch small businesses," she says, adding that 'it works really well and the impact is evident.' In Dagoreti, she runs kitchen garden initiatives that serve nutritional and economic purposes. Hundreds of women now grow their food while generating income to support their families. In Makueni County, she recently launched the "Girl a Goat" project. This is a revolving livestock programme for rural folks. "You're given a goat, keep the mother, and pass on the kids to others," she says. "It's a simple yet effective way for families to build sustainable livelihoods." Further north, she and her team have introduced 'mini-markets' that promote entrepreneurship among women in the former northern frontier region. In Eastern Kenya, their 'Nyukihubs' initiative equips women farmers with beehives, later purchasing the honey for processing and distribution, hence creating a steady income stream. A firm believer in practical, scalable solutions, Ngombalu says she never tires of championing financial, legal, policy and social reforms that uplift women. According to UN Women, the prevalence of absolute poverty in rural Kenya remains at 49.1 per cent. Rural women are at a greater disadvantage compared to those in urban areas. Ms Ngombalu recently held a strategic meeting with the leadership of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) to explore policy reforms to better protect and empower women. Armed with a master's degree in Sociology and a Bachelor's in Community Development, she believes economic empowerment is the foundation of a happy and thriving society. This conviction, she says, has shaped her work across the Eastern Africa region. Before joining Christian Aid, she was the Marketing Information and Communications Manager at the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC), where she served Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and Burundi. She also held a leadership role at the Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP). She represented the private sector on the board of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Her passions span rural and urban development, trade, agriculture, climate change, human rights, and environmental sanitation. She's especially drawn to innovation and its potential to drive socio-economic transformation and food security across the region. Away from the office, Ms. Ngombalu is popularly known as 'Janet wa Mayai' for her passion for poultry farming in Machakos County. She's also active in her community, often organising motivational talks at St Patrick Academy and participating in women's groups and church fellowships locally known as Jumuia. "I treasure chama moments with the girls, and our church groups are an important part of my life because they help create bonds and build relationships," she says, smiling, and taking moments to return phone calls and messages from people seeking her help with various issues. As she continues her fight for justice, dignity, and equality, Ms Ngombalu remains a firm believer that change begins with one empowered life at a time. When every person in society does the right thing and makes the right effort, life will be better.

Janet Ngombalu: Dedicated to making the world better

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