'Contentment is not my style'

Anyone who saw the young girl waiting on tables and mopping floors at Steers Restaurant some 14 years ago would not recognise her if they met in the streets today.

She is now a confident businesswoman with four businesses, one NGO and numerous community projects under her name. A budding politician and a generous caregiver and philanthropist, she is a single mother of one.

Pollyne Owoko, 33, was born in Ran’gala, Siaya District, as the second born in a family of five. Growing up, she had loving parents who provided more than enough and she attended Molo Academy and Lwak Girls High School. Then her father passed on when she was 18 and in Form Four, and tables turned.

Pollyne with some of the women she supports.

"My sights were trained on the 2007 election," she offers.

In 2007, she ran for MP of Makadara constituency. Despite the rigorous campaign, Pollyne did not win, but emerged fifth with 850 votes.

"I believe politics is not about being political; it’s about having the people’s issues at heart. I know the people of Makadara are usually bought out but unlike many of my competitors, I did not bribe anyone, so the votes were my deserved ones, " she says.

She left to fight another day and intends to run in the 2012 elections.

Besides politics, Pollyne is actively involved in women, youth and children affairs in Makadara constituency, something that has made her popular with the locals.

Through her NGO, Wema Foundation, Pollyne strives to transform the lives of women, youth and children through microfinance and education sponsorships.

helping spirit

She has partnered with donors such as Millennium Development Goals Fund to sponsor six women groups in slums such as Mukuru, Huruma and Kibera.

They train women in business skills and offer them friendly loans in their microfinance programme. She is also the Kenyan representative of Mama na Dada Africa on their gender and governance programme.

Her efforts at philanthropy have often been marred by setbacks of financial constraints, but this has not dampened her spirit.

"With or without money, I will always fight for the rights of women, youth and children," she says.

Just recently, she has dived headlong into the case of one Margaret Nguvi, a mother of seven from Makuyu who is admitted at Nairobi West Hospital and needs Sh1 million to cover her medical expenses and radiotherapy costs.

Pollyne is helping raise funds for the cervical cancer and fistula patient, along with friends like Tabitha Njoroge. They have already raised Sh200,000.

Pollyne has dedicated her time and efforts to go round high schools to educate girls on safe sex negotiations and contraception use.

Says she: "I am concerned that women in urban areas regularly take after-morning pills, which are not supposed to be taken more than twice a year as they affect a woman’s fertility in the future."

And Pollyne pulled yet another rabbit from her hat when she started Dada African Dishes, a catering company. She is also the director Dada Innovators, a training and community development company that offers consultation and training on community development issues and devolved funds training.

And if you thought that was all, she also owns Dada General Supplies that supplies goods to various clients and companies.

She has employed six full time employees and 15 standby casuals. All her five businesses are based in her office at Ali Bhai Shariff building, Kenyatta Avenue.

Every Sunday, she hosts a Wazee na Vijana football tournament, between the elderly men who drink around the Buruburu beer belt and the youngsters.

So what is the secret of her success?

She says: "Planning, delegation and serious prayer. You must work hard and give back to the society. Never be afraid to help anyone. Giving has never stopped me from being successful."