Celebrating Women: The Top 12 Influential Kenyan Women Who Continue To Inspire Us

By Lilian Wamaitha
“There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women.” -Muhammad Ali.
Today is women’s day and before it ends, I just had to write this article in celebration of women who have inspired us.
Here is a list of women I believe who continue to set the pace for us and who have inspired a generation of girls to rise above the shackles of society and claim their spot on the stage.
1. The late Professor Wangari Maathai
When I think about women who should be celebrated every day, I think of Wangari Muta Maathai.
She was not just an environmental activist but the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree.
She went on to become the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggles to ensure that the environment is protected.
Here struggle for democracy and environmental conservation is the reason that Karura Forest and Uhuru Park are still in existent.
The Green Belt Movement she founded carries on with her work even in death by advocating for environmental conservation.
2. Janet Mbugua
She is a former media personality and a great advocate of women empowerment.
She founded Inua Dada Foundation which serves to empower girls by ensuring that their basic needs are met.
3. Margaret Kenyatta
She is currently the first lady and by far the coolest one we have ever had since independence.
Her Beyond Zero Campaign has been responsible for donation of mobile clinics throughout all the 47 counties in Kenya to curb maternal and child deaths.
4. Njoki Ndungu
Born in 1965, the Honourable Justice Njoki Susanna Ndungu is a judge at the Supreme Court of Kenya is one of the successful lawyers in Kenya.
The alumnus of Kenya High School holds a Bachelors of Law from the University of Nairobi and a Masters of law in Human Rights and civil Liberties from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
She has work experience in the office of the Attorney General, Institute for Education in Democracy and the United Nations High Commission for refugees. She is the architect of the sexual offences act 2006, and of amendments of the employment act 2007 providing for paid maternity and paternity leave.
5. Tabitha Karanja
Tabitha Karanja is founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries. She is one of Kenya’s leading female top entrepreneurs in Kenya, a remarkable trailblazer and an example of a woman made good against all the odds.
Tabitha chose to venture where none before her had dared. She took on an 87-year-old business monopoly and entered an industry with a deeply entrenched male gender stereotype.
Keroche Foundation focuses on unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs.
6. Lorna Rutto
One of Kenya’s eco-preneurs, Lorna Rutto is the founder of EcoPost, a venture that collects plastic waste and turns them into eco-friendly fencing posts that are used all over Kenya.
Lorna has not only provided the country an alternative to timber fencing but has in the process created hundreds of jobs.
Through her venture, she has helped save over 250 acres of forests and found a way of disposing off waste that has been a headache to the Kenyan population.
7. Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o was truly born a star and in 2013, she became the first Kenyan to win the prestigious Oscar award for her role in the slavery movie, 12 Years A Slave.
She has continued to grow in her career and with her latest successful film, Black Panther, it is clear that her future is still bright.
Through her we are reminded that everything has its own time and it is in the little things that you do today that your star will shine one day.
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8. Dr. Jennifer Riria
She has single-handedly transformed the microfinance industry in Kenya in a bid to improve the lives of women. Due to her efforts, more and more women are now able to access loans to fulfill their goals.
Despite her poor background, she was able to defy odds earning her a place at a prestigious high school in Nairobi and working hard all the way to a doctorate.
In 1991, Riria founded The Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) despite her lack of experience in finance.
Today, she is the Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding that has worked over 900,000 women.
9. Caroline Mutoko
Caroline Mutoko is not a new name when it comes to the Media Industry. Most of us grew up listening to her on Kiss FM’s Big breakfast.
Today, Caroline Mutoko is no longer a Radio host on Kiss FM, but the move to leave radio has seen her rise to even greater heights of success.  She is now the Chief Operating Officer of Radio Africa group which is the mother Company of Kiss TV, Classic 105 and Kiss 100.
10. Terryanne Chebet
She is the founder of Keyara Organics, a company that manufactures skin care brands inspired by the African passion.
Venturing into a market that has been dominated by big brands like Oriflame and the likes, Terryanne wants to grow her company to become one of the leading manufacturer of beauty products in Africa and with her passion and determination, she will surely make it.
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11. Ajuma Nasenyana
She is one of Kenya’ most successful models having worked with big labels like Victoria’s Secret.
Her Ajuma Nasenyana Foundation focuses on maternal health in Turkana where she hails from.
She is a true proof that no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid.
12. Naisula Lesuuda
She is known for championing for girl education, eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriages.
At just 26, she became the youngest Kenyan woman to win the President’s Order of the Grand Warrior and has continued to fight for the rights of girls since then.
Women are the fabric that holds societies together and besides flowers, they are the most beautiful things that God created. As we celebrate Women’s Day, celebrate that woman in your life. They are our spouses, mothers, sister and friends and they deserve to be recognized.
Do you agree with the list? Share below.
Lilian is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya. Get in touch through lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke