You can buy fashion but not style. These words describe Edna who believes style is a gift from God and a way to say who you are without having to speak. Edna Tukiko is that girl who has a gift in fashion. Her style is simple yet unique and very appealing.
Don’t be fooled though, this lady is not ready to share her fashion tips with the world just yet because she is busy advocating for Women and Girls Education, Health and Equity.
Tell us a little bit about your background.
My father was one of those people who love big families which would explain why I was born in to a polygamous family of 15. He worked as a clerk with Barclays bank in Nairobi and constantly reminded me the importance of education.
His zeal for education made me very competitive at a young age. I used to work really hard just to please him and see his big smile that lit his whole face and mine too.
The year 2002 was very hard for my family because he lost his job and succumbed to an illness. He was the sole bread winner and our lives changed for the worst in one night. My mother is one of those African women who draw strength from above and show resilience that only a mother can while guarding her little ones.
Every night she would give us examples of girls who had excelled past university and were positively impacting their families and communities, and eradicating poverty. She believed I could do the same.
I will forever be grateful to the government because in 2002 when they declared free primary education, it eased my family’s load of paying school fees. I was able to complete primary school.
I scored very well in my primary exams and later joined Starehe Girls Centre through a scholarship. In 2006, I was lucky to be selected to be among the first members of the Global Give Back Circle. This was a turning point in my life.
After high school, I joined Kenyatta University and graduated with a BSC in Community Resource Management & Extension. I also served as the Institutional coordinator for ‘Peace Ambassadors Kenya’ and ‘I AM KENYAN’ initiatives. Global Give Back Circle has had an immense impact on my life ever since. I acquired a mentor, I discovered my passion for giving back to the society, and started a Reproductive Health Commitment in 2012.
This commitment with the Global Give Back Circle involves university students volunteering to create awareness on sexual and reproductive health in high schools and among youth groups. I was especially interested in this health commitment, because I’ve realized that many girls my age had not managed to make it past secondary school due to teenage pregnancies and early marriages. I love girls and I am honored to be a mentor to one of the girls at Kakenya Centre of Excellence.
It’s good that you’ve mentioned mentorship. How has your success helped in influencing others?
Currently, I am the manager of Private Sector Engagement in our organization. In my role, I oversee private sector partnerships and a mentorship program that connects 800 women with 800- risk girls in Kenya.
I am extremely humbled to be a consultant in the design and implementation of the Mentorship program for the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center – East Africa in 2015. I helped design the strategy and recruited and trained mentors from the private and public sector to work with the first two cohorts of YALI participants.
I am excited to be a current participant of YALI cohort 5 and will forever be grateful to President Obama because the program has thoroughly equipped me. I can’t wait to share my experiences with others. By the way, I had applied for cohort 1 and did not make it and the thing with me is I never say die so I applied again and got through.
I am thankful to God because in October last year, I led and collaborated with a team of colleagues in the successful implementation of the first ‘Educate HER Parade’ in Kenya. Over 2,000 people participated and raised $78,000 in scholarships for 100 rescued girls from female genital mutilation West Pokot. They will be able to join university.
Your advice for young African leaders out there?
When I think of Africa, I think opportunity, wealth and diversity. A leader must align passion and do everything within their power to achieve it. We need to collaborate. Let us all share ideas and lift each other up. If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.
Your life in the next 10 years
To change millions of women in Africa and the world. My dream is to be a champion for Women’s Equity. I look forward to working on my Fashion Brand Tukiko that designs African Apparel with a mix of Middle East tastes. It also aims to create an empowerment platform by providing training for marginalized girls in Kenya to learn fashion designing for commercial purposes.
Favourite food
That baked Liver accompanied by chapati, ugali or fish.
Favorite Quote
To whom much is given, much more is expected. Nothing is more fulfilling than giving back.
You helped me a lot by posting this article and I love what I’m learning.