Bernadette Muyomi hails from Busia town in Kenya. I could go on and on about how great she is, how funny she is or maybe how she is influencing thousands of young leaders but I would rather we get to hear from the horse’s mouth.
Take us through your leadership journey.
Being a first born taught me responsibility, to lead from the front at a very young age. As far as I can recall, I have been on a steadfast journey of leading others who are younger and older than me.
I completed a multi-disciplinary training in Guidance and Counselling and Nursing at undergraduate level at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. I studied Development Studies at Masters level at Moi University. In 2013, I was awarded a common wealth scholarship at the University of London to study- Gender, Education and International Development.
This has given me an opportunity to work in various settings. My first exposure to work was as a volunteer immediately after high school. One of the things I learnt about volunteering is that one has to do it as if they are being paid.
You know those projects you have to do and the results are so fulfilling you don’t seem to focus on how broke you are? The one diet you must endure for months? That was me. I even wonder how I never became malnourished then.
I am currently the County Executive in charge of Lands, Housing and Urban development in the county government of Busia. I must say this is a position I serve with great honor and humility.
I must also take this opportunity to give a shout out to my team in Busia, the touts, bodaboda (motor bike) riders and the chicken farmers.
We both burst out laughing. For those that do not understand, the community where Bernadette hails from loves to give shout outs to everyone they know including their pets. Bernadette actually confesses that it is a cultural crime to not send shout outs during interviews.
My decision to work in the public sector was birthed in 2010 while I was going through a Political Leadership Development Program by the Fredrich Elbert foundation.
I have also served as a director at Pamoja Child Foundation in Kisumu, worked as a referendum monitor with the Kenya National Commission of Human rights and led as a technical advisor to a pilot project on child protection standards in Malindi Kenya.
Working as a land rights project manager in pushing for women rights and taking up an international assignment as a regional project manager of East and Southern Africa changed my life. All these experiences have moulded me in to who I am today.
I have also published my own book on academic counselling. I have various other publications in renowned journals and have had a chance to present some of my papers in both local and international conferences.
What is your inspiration and why?
I love reading books. I have a couple of mentors who are very successful in the very areas I hope to be. Basically, what I am saying is I am greatly inspired by self-driven and tenacious people. Anyone that is constantly striving to achieve their goals gets my attention. I also love fun and nature.
You are currently in Morocco for the MO Ibrahim residential School of Governance. You are also a current participant of President Obama’s YALI where we met and You have just been selected as a finalist in The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme. What does this mean to you?
The Mo Ibrahim focuses on defining, assessing and ultimately enhancing governance and leadership in Africa. I am happy that the African dialogue here is very strong and real.
I am super grateful to have made it to YALI, the networks and overall vision for Africa is mind blowing. I actually did a presentation the day before yesterday at Mo Ibrahim and spoke about the YALI program and its focus on the African continent. My presentation was on citizen participation in local governments as a tool of enhancing transparent and accountable leadership.
I am extremely ecstatic to have made it to the competitive Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme because when I am not practicing in governance, I am an entrepreneur. You should have seen me yesterday when I got the news, the Moroccans must have thought I was high on sugar.
Anyway, the project I am working on is establishing a Green bank. This is a micro- financing model that only funds growing fruit trees as a local intervention of planting trees to contribute towards climate mitigation. At the same time, the project involves pooling raw materials for fruit cottage industries from which rural households can earn dividends and improve household incomes over time.
I have also received news that I have made it to the Coady Global Change Leaders. I am also currently a finalist for Techwomen.
Congratulations Bernadette! How has your success helped you in influencing others?
I am a mentor to many young and older people. I speak in forums and take people through my leadership journey and as a result, I have seen many young people get empowered.
I am truly humbled and grateful for my multi-cultural exposure which has helped me gain great connections worldwide. I have linked many people to different opportunities and also brought together people with common interests.
Your advice for Young African Leaders.
If you know me well, you will definitely know that I am daring in exploring opportunities. I knock and if you don’t open the door, I bang on it, or stretch my arm through the windows and open it. If that doesn’t work, I will either climb up the roof and slide through the chimney or bomb the ventilators and create an entrance. (We laugh)
Well, if all that does not work, I look for the next door to bang.
A lot of people give up very easily. Some of them refer successful people as lucky which is not true. When I strongly believe in something, I will channel all my energies towards achieving it, and so should you.
Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you. Do not be afraid to do what you believe in. Youth is a stage of transition. Anchor your dreams beyond the time when you will no longer do it simply because you are young.
How do you unwind?
I cook chicken or fish. Love to travel. I have visited over 30 countries so far and need to visit more. I am always reading a book at a given time from autobiographies, political and leadership books to books for personal growth.
Did I mention I love to cook chicken kienyeji (indigenous) or fish? On a serious note my dream is to eventually own a restaurant.
Favourite Quote
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. James Keller.
Africa in three words?
No better place.
