Vision 2030 has ability to lift Kenya off

Q: What were you doing before becoming the Kenya Vision 2030 director?
A: I have been in the field of strategy and marketing for 13 years. I have experience in strategic management, marketing strategy development, brand communication, product development and customer service management. I have been involved in new market development initiatives, rebranding as well as managing brand portfolios in both the public and private sector. I have deep interest in public policy.

Who has had the biggest influence over your life?

My parents. My father always told us that education is our greatest inheritance and encouraged us to pursue our interests. My mother has been and continues to champion girl child education and her life lessons guide me. She is a great teacher and counsellor. Her lessons were told through lots of storytelling — in my Samia language, they are called engano (narrative), engando (proverbs) and eminaye (riddles).
My spiritual parents, Bishop Allan and Rev Kathy Kiuna, are the second big influence.

What makes you laugh?

Well I love reading. There is nothing like a great book. Words tend to jump from pages for me and I enjoy reading satirical work.
Your favourite book ?

This may sound so cliché: it’s the Bible.

What is your biggest focus in life at the moment?

I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Development Policy and Practice. It’s taking up lots of my time and I am looking forward to completing it next year.

What have been the highlights in your life so far?

I am not sure if they are highlights. I don’t have accolades yet but I think that pursuing my heart’s desires and not being fixated on any conventional path have been the highlights of my journey. When I wanted to be a brand manager, I read about it and then pursued the opportunity. One recruiter told me was not a conventional brand manager. At that time I was pretty peeved but later I realised I didn’t want to be conventional: I move ahead.
I think my internal drive is high and I go for what I believe in. I also get very passionate for the causes I pursue and these probably form the highlights of my journey. What I do at Vision 2030 at the moment is something I believe in strongly.

What is the role of ICT in implementing Vision 2030?

ICT is the foundation for economic development. The aspiration of Vision 2030 is to shift industrial development towards innovation where creation, adoption, adaptation and use of knowledge remain the key sources of economic growth.

Some of the projects we have are development of Konza Techno City, business process outsourcing, Internet enabled services and expansion of fibre optic networks. This initiatives have paid off. We have also attracted international companies to set base in Kenya. IBM, for example, is putting up its first research laboratory in Africa.

We also have a young generation that is tech savvy and with projects such as the iHub we hope to see Kenya become a regional ICT centre.

Should Kenya become more or less entrepreneurial?

Kenya should be more entrepreneurial. As Vision 2030, we have a key project that supports enterprise and this is the development of wholesale and retail sector by the establishment of special economic zones. This project will include an agro-industrial zone incorporating activities such as blending and packaging of fertilisers, tea and coffee, and a consolidated meat and fish processing facility to encourage growth of offshore fishing. Our parent ministry (Devolution and Planning) also has programmes to support youth entrepreneurship such as the Uwezo Fund, the Youth Enterprise Fund, and revamped National Youth Service.

Who do you look up to?

I have always admired Condoleeza Rice, Madeline Albright and Hillary Clinton (who each served as US secretary of state in various administrations). I also look up to Prof Margaret Kobia. These are women who have driven policy and have had great execution of the same. 
What is the best career advice you have ever received?

I heard this recently: ensure that you lift up as you move up.

What drives you?

I am driven by being able to offer solutions and bringing transformation wherever I go.