NJAMBI MUNGAI

Born and raised in Kenya, Njambi works tirelessly for the women of her community to see the roads rather than stand behind the roadblocks. Head of Communications, Media and Advocacy at Clean Start, she raises awareness and visibility for women affected by the criminal justice system. Njambi has an undergraduate degree from Helsinki Metropolitan University and is awaiting her master’s degree from USIU- Africa. Previously she was the editor in the digital division of a large media house.  Beyond her profession, Njambi is the mother of two toddlers. Combining her knowledge, professional experience and motherhood, she has a powerful toolkit to achieve her mission for women.

“Knowledge Is Power, but Knowledge About Yourself Is Self-empowerment”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I come from Nairobi, Kenya. A small but powerful nation on the East African region. While we continue to fight gender biases, I am proud of the lengths we have come in raising awareness and challenging discriminative behaviour and policies.

Q: How did you experience the global pandemic crisis, did it change your life or/and your views about the world? How?

The global pandemic definitely shifted how things were done. The work culture was totally transformed with more remote job arrangements where there were previously none. With it came more opportunities such as more productivity, ability to set our hours and spend more time with family. It also came with challenges such as work/life balance when your workspace is also your home space. However, it also highlighted the massive disparities between the wealthy and the poor, with the less fortunate who rely on daily casual jobs struggling to make ends meet. There was a distinct lack of social services and it took personal initiatives to help them out. Humanity was a big element that came out for me, mostly good.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently? 

Top of the list would have to be the governance in Kenya. As we approach the General Elections in August, the poor choices of leaders we must choose from are being shoved down our throats. That majority of Kenyans will be persuaded to vote on tribal lines rather than the competency and integrity of the leaders. This will only lead to worse governance. 

Corruption is the biggest hinderance to the development and growth of every single citizen of the country. Despite corrupt individuals being well known, prosecution is hardly ever done. In fact, many are able to rebrand themselves as politicians, which only perpetuates the cycle of bad governance. 

Finally, and most important for me is the increased cases of femicide and intimate partner violence that women and girls continue to face. While there are legislations to address these issues, the barriers to reporting cases, protecting the victims and prosecuting the perpetrators make this fight difficult. Many women opt not to report and stay in the same abusive relationships. There is also the attitude change with the general public on calling out the vice and how to support the victims.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

1.  Juggling motherhood with career

Still struggling but it took having clear boundaries with myself and others to be fully present in both roles. Therapy also helped.

2.  Looking for ways to make an impact in people's lives

I joined an organisation that works directly with women who have been traumatised or failed by the system. I volunteered my time with organisations that do the same. It has given me an incredible level of joy and satisfaction.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

To stop looking at leadership as opportunities to enrich themselves rather than as opportunities to serve. That their choices will impact generations positively or negatively. Leadership is an action, not a position.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

I look at mentors as windows to the future. A mentor brings a wealth of experience, lessons, pitfalls to avoid, and a portal to relevant networks. A mentor guides and helps me expand my line of thinking along career and life in general. My mentor Robert Baker has changed my perspective in a phenomenal way. Mentorship has so far brought insights that have not only impacted my career and leadership growth but also challenged me as a person.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

That true mastery of your purpose will align you with your path. Understanding yourself will help you understand your purpose and values. And that will help determine the path you want to choose, from where to work, who you want to associate with, where you want to grow, etc. The challenge therefore is to understand yourself and that comes in many ways, from meditation, religion, therapy... whatever connects you to yourself.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Clean Start Kenya is an amazing social enterprise that focuses on women, children and girls that have been impacted by the criminal justice system. Many of the women are incarcerated for petty offenses where alternative dispute resolution methods could have been applied. The women are ripped of their dignity and esteem while in prison and face stigma on release. Clean Start offers programmes that make reintegration easier for women when they are released back into society. It also raises awareness on areas that need to be relooked in the criminal justice system.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

• Gender-based violence (GBV) is a big issue where there are more and more individuals/organisations speaking about it and supporting victims of GBV.  

• Representation and participation of women in decision and policymaking at all levels. The 2/3rd gender rule has played a significant part in increasing representation. Our current Chief of Justice is a woman among many other women in decision and policy making positions. 

• Narrowing the gender gap in access to education, employment opportunities, access to credit facilities and market opportunities.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that means something to you.

Knowledge is power, but knowledge about yourself is self-empowerment.

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about.

To decriminalise petty offenses that have sent a huge percentage of women to prison where alternative mechanisms would have a more positive effect.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add?

There are more roads than roadblocks.