WOMAN TO WOMAN: My passion lies in giving  women and girls a voice

Njoki Karuoya CEO Keroche Foundation opens up about herself.

Q: Who is Njoki Karuoya?

Your regular woman with dreams like everyone else but who works very hard to achieve those dreams.

For how long were you in the media industry and why did you quit?

I joined mainstream media in 1997 as a correspondent with Nation Media Group. In 2002 I left for the UK to pursue my Masters in International Journalism, then came back and continued corresponding for NMG.

In 2008 I joined Standard Group as an editor and led various magazine projects, including Home & Away magazine and Eve Woman magazine and its sister range (Eve Gal and Eve Bridal).

I also founded the Eve Sisters monthly forums with the ultimate goal of connecting our readers with our top profiles and women leaders.

I left Standard Group in 2013 as a Senior Associate Editor when I got the opportunity to work for the United Nations Population Fund as a Senior Communication Specialist. This new position was going to provide me with the opportunity to expand my

work both as a journalist and a champion of women and girls rights.

What motivates you?

My passion is on empowering women and girls on all aspects of their lives.I got to appreciate that the reasons why many women and girls are powerless is due to ignorance (lack of information), feminisation of poverty.

Consequently, majority of women live in fear of the social norms and the powers that be and not to challenge the status quo they are socialised into for fear of being ostracised, humiliated, beaten violently, raped or, in some cases, brutally killed.

You are currently the CEO of Keroche foundation, what does your job entail?

My work is to hold the hands of young entrepreneurs and encourage them every day to keep pushing themselves and their teams to get to their long-term dreams in the shortest time possible. I organise trainings for the mentees with corporate leaders.

What would you advice young people aspiring to follow in your footsteps?

To always trust in God and believe that what He brings into the path of your life daily is for your good; so it is that we should either celebrate or get the lesson and proceed.

Who are your mentors?

Tabitha Karanja, Frida Owinga and Sophie Karanja.

What principles do you stand for?

Godliness, equality, justice, fairness, respect, rule of law

What do you enjoy doing at your free time?

Reading a motivational book or thriller adventure (with a bit of romance in it) and having a glass of ice cold Summit Malt with a soft drink (otherwise known as a Shandy)

Who is your role model and why?

They are many, beginning with the women I mentioned earlier as my mentors and also Martha Karua, Olive Mugenda, Mabel Imbuga, Chris Kirubi, they are all strong and powerful men and women who have transformed their lives to become fearless and

major influencers of society.

What advice would you give to women?

God created women to partner with men to nurture and protect the world for the enjoyment of all mankind and for the glory of God, the creator of the universe. To effectively execute this noble mission, every woman is blessed with unique and special skills,

talents and abilities; then placed in specific families, communities and societies to effect this change and make their world a better place.

Your dream holiday destination? 

The UK countryside.

What drives you?

The desire to stretch my skills to the limit and see what else I can do and achieve.