There is nothing as enticing as a person who uses words cleverly. Waruguru Wa Kiai is one of these amazing people. She is a poet (BNPA shortlisted poet 2015), has a law degree and is currently pursuing a Masters in Strategic Management.
If you have happened to read her poems, you will definitely fall in love with her use of language in a manner that is felt to differ from ordinary prose.
When she was younger, she lost her dad which was the beginning of a journey in suffering. From expensive succession battles and family wrangles to just processes that were the order of the day. Her mother’s experiences drove her to act. Her determination to ensure that all women in her village have access to free legal information is what has led her to her success.
Waruguru Wa Kiai ensures that her region in Nyeri county has access to legal information free of charge. She offers it to aggrieved parties and the local community leaders- the elders and the local administration who are the ‘Court of first Instance’.
It is critical to me that these local leaders are equipped with factual, and accurate legal response to enable them to respond efficiently and correctly when faced with such cases.
Her main focus is cases on gender based violence which go unreported most of the time. Waruguru she has witnessed many cases of women being chased away from their matrimonial homes by their in laws who often reject their claim to their matrimonial property. She also focuses on battered men who continue to suffer in silence.
Waruguru is very funny and never lacks in the humor department. When I asked her how she manages to balance her social life and work, this is what she had to say,
My mother is my time manager. She will call me in the middle of a serious community changing meeting to remind me that I am yet to litter her compound with grandchildren. That helps in keeping my work and personal priorities in check.”
This super woman confessed that she is always on the lookout for opportunities that improve and develop her to become better. Being a current YALI participant means she has had her patience tested and her resilience re-awakened.
Waruguru loves mentoring young African leaders and is constantly asking them to guard their integrity. A trait that will help them stare at their reflection in the mirror years to come.
Work on your passions now, develop yourself now and learn something new daily. Do not be fooled, hustling is a bad thing, very bad indeed, it keeps you in a ‘busy doing nothing’ maze. It rewards you with easy money and quick wins that will eventually not matter. They will not count for much when we get to count, you will be a jack of all trades and a master of none, Africa requires masters my friends.
Waruguru is working hard to meet her Vision 2036 which is fearlessly influencing her village, country and continent.
When she is not writing or lawyering, she loves to host people and cook for them roast goat and a ball of hot ugali with a splash of millet flour to escort the meat.
We are very proud of you Waruguru Wa Kiai, you are a true representation of a Young African Leader. Keep it up!
