Ever met a young achiever who thoroughly challenged and inspired you? It is one Gakii Biriri for me, a 24 year old Kenyan. After I read her pitch for a volunteer post that left people shocked and some even doubting her accomplishments, I must say I was eager to meet her.
My dream did indeed come true. Her demeanor and radiance provided such an accommodating and loving atmosphere, the kind that makes you want to talk for hours with someone. And we did the talking, for hours…
This young lady is passionate about education, strategy and sustainable development. She is an alumna of President Obama’s YALI RLC 2015 and is also headed for the other wing of the program, The Mandela Washington Fellowship this Thursday in the USA.
She is the executive director of AHI, a social enterprise and the founder of B&B (K) Ltd. She is the former minister for Trade and Entrepreneurship in the youth senate of Kenya. Here, her key achievement was to secure a network of investors through the bank to fund and mentor projects in various projects.
Gakii was also selected to participate in the Africa Business conference at Harvard University early this year in February. She was nominated for the Nelson Mandela-Graca Machel Youth innovator award 2016, made it to Top 25 under 25 under KCA university & African Garage, was One young World Ambassador 2013 and is a Home grown Hero award recipient- Raspberry Adams among other accolades.
Yes, I know. Her achievements are quite a long list and we were not able to cover all of them during our tea and crumpets girl talk because she had a meeting with a potential client.
I was brought up a very responsible child as an only child for eight years until my sister was born and another eight years till our brother was born. My parents are the kind of people who do not baby you. They talk to you like an adult as a child. They never compromised on education and ensured they made us understand its importance. I went to Makini primary school which laid a great foundation for me and on passing my KCPE, I got selected to join THE Kenya High School.
We both laugh at the mention of the school because everyone who went to this school always puts an emphasis on “THE” when addressing the school, these girls are so proud of their school.
It was depressing for me. You know how you think you are smart and then you find everyone is equally smart or smarter than you? Here you were proud of being at the top in your primary school or even countrywide only to find more connected and well travelled folk. That was me. I hit identity crisis. It was quite depressing because it was the first time I was away from home.
It took me some time to settle down and as a result my grades went down. The school really shaped who I am today as a woman and a leader. Can you believe they used to make us eat ugali with folks and running on corridors was forbidden?
She laughs and sits pretty with her back straight, knees turned to the left and ankles crossed to her right. Lord have mercy. Ladies?
The teachers never gave up on me even when I was doing badly. I therefore purposed to shift my paradigms and think of my purpose which led to improvement of my grades. The school also taught me service to others as you know our motto was and still is, "Servire est regnare-Latin for to serve is to reign. My favorite subject was chemistry and I remember I was ranked 8th in mock exam in Nairobi province.
In 2008, I finished high school at the age of sixteen and I did very well. I joined Strathmore University immediately after high school to pursue a diploma in Business Management in the evening while pursuing a degree in civil engineering at the University of Nairobi during the day.
In 2011, I graduated with my diploma and was in my 3rd year of Civil engineering which was not going very well for me. I was losing interest. I decided I would not pursue the degree after two internships plus the diploma had connected me to older and wiser people who mentored me a great deal. The value of the diploma was greater, from understanding challenges to navigation of problems in the work place.
I decided to quit my degree which was not an easy decision, probably one of the hardest. My family could not and still do not believe it. My mum actually still hopes I will go back. In 2012 and at 19 years old, Gakii decided to pursue a BSC in Leadership and Management majoring in Public Administration and Management of Non Profit organizations from Strathmore University.
It was in the same year she formed her social enterprise AHI, a social enterprise which sets up sustainable economic ventures for schools in the slum. These ventures provide an additional and consistent source of revenue for the schools, allowing them to plan and prioritize their needs and then budget accordingly. Through this, there is a steady improvement in the quality of education received as it is all rounded, well-equipped, child centred and consistent.
AHI has worked with St, Catherine’s Mukuru in 2013, Frank Educational Centre in 2014 and 2015 by buying and taking book donations and adopted a sawing workshop to provide a source of income. They are currently working with Agape school in Kibera that has about 50 children. They are setting up slum tours to raise income and building a water tank for the school and the surrounding community.
HOYWIK School is also a current recipient of the program. AHI is setting up the agricultural farm- upgrading of the chicken and rabbit hatch, offering a monthly mentorship programme and business skills for the teachers and parents. Through this venture, Gakii and her team have changed hundreds of lives, from young children, their parents, to teachers and the respective communities.
It’s a different ball game in the slums. I have seen heart-breaking stories. I have talked to young girls that have been raped. I have encountered con men. My heart breaks every time I engage people from the slum who have lost hope. Who believe they will never be successful and are doomed by being born in the slum and some who believe there is no justice for the poor.
Gakii also runs B&B (K) Ltd, a consultancy that focuses on streamlining business processes for NGOs and SMEs, organizational sustainability for Not for profit ventures and managing projects for businesses.
She is also a member of the World Economic Forum as a Nairobi Global shaper. Global shapers is a network of high impact individuals trying to put their efforts together to scale up impact and make actual ripples. She is currently spearheading a campaign, 30 days of green to encourage people to take care of the environment.
One thing I am grateful to God for is my foundation. I know I was born with huge potential, lots of greatness and a huge purpose which are not for myself but for influencing and transforming others.
I am constantly working and applying for programs to enhance my leadership skills. My tenacity and God’s grace has opened huge doors. I am stoked to be heading to Washington in the US this week to continue with the YALI program and will forever be grateful to President Obama and the team, both at Washington and The RLC in Nairobi.
I feel I am on a journey to rediscovering and building on my purpose. My advice for my fellow Africans is
- We must intend to understand ourselves. Let’s not try to be like the West. No one will save us, we are the ones to save ourselves and our continent.
- Let us believe in ourselves. If you are passionate about something, do it. There’s a reason God gave you that passion. At 24, I have had people doubt my achievements and even go as far as calling me a liar to investigating my background. Dear Africans, let us be each other’s cheerleaders and work together for Africa.
- Know yourself and never compromise.
- Maintain a good support system, family and friends. Choose your friends wisely. One of my closest friend, JaneRose is a godly woman and a high achiever who always keeps me accountable, on my toes and is constantly working hard to empower others.
- Do not be afraid of failure. Fear of failure is a curse.
- Have God as the center of your life.
Gakii hopes to keep disrupting the status quo, hugely impact the education system and work towards poverty eradication. She is looking forward to pursue her masters soon and to empower and transform as many lives as possible. She loves to read, play the violin, meet new people, travel and have as much fun as possible.
We wish you the very best Gakii, you truly deserve the Young African Leadership title!
Thanks for your help and for writing this post. It’s been great.