The Developers Digest Q1 Issue

30
opinion
be one of the lady Board Directors serving at
KPDA.
6. Are you currently working on any exciting
new projects? How do you think that will help
people and communities?
• My current role at KCB Foundation has
given me the opportunity to do work that
actually impacts the lives of people in our
communities.
• One of the pillars in our youth skills
development program – 2jiajiri – actually
intersects with this industry, as its focused-on
skilling youth in the construction sector.
• I found it interesting that many women shyed
off from construction sites and through our
partnership with Builcon Industries and
Buildher, I have seen more women join in
technical skills training previously stereotyped
to belong to men.
• Through the 2jijiri program, KCB provides
support packages that combine vocational
skills training, business development training,
access to finance and mentorship for youth
in the program. These work better than only
delivering stand-alone interventions.
• Since inception in 2016, 2Jiajiri has engaged
42,024 youths in vocational skills ranging
from automotive engineering, domestic
services, construction, agribusiness, ICT and
manufacturing.
• 16,408 youth have received skills training with
over KShs. 540M loans disbursed to create
64,186 jobs directly and 35,365 indirectly with
4,158 businesses currently under incubation.
• Besides this I have continued to Serve in the
Board of KPDA where I have seen more and
more Women Developers embracing the
industry.
• I have also recently been appointed to Join
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce
and Industry- KNCCI where I will be the
Chairperson for Manufacturing and Special
Economic Zones and am keen to see how We
shall get more Women in Manufacturing and
how we intergrate to ensure financial inclusion
for MSMES in these two sectors.
7. What is a skill you think all women should learn
and why?
• Financial management. Learning the basics
of math and financial management is key for
anyone, and especially women. I don’t say
this just because am a Certified Accountant of
Kenya but because I know it does matter that
anyone understands the basics that defines
the bottom line-simply put as the profit. This
will help you to create a household budget and
live within your means, manage your credit,
and do your own taxes. It’s also the key to the
art and science behind investing and building
your wealth. You’ll be set to live comfortably
and save for retirement.
8. If you could dine with three inspirational
women, dead or alive, who would they be and
why?
• Wangarĩ Muta Maathai – I would like to get
her views on so many things, as the trailblazer
she was, both locally and internationally.
Being the first woman in East and Central
Africa to earn a doctorate degree a social,
environmental and a political activist and
the first African woman to win the Nobel
Peace Prize. She was passionate and an avid
environmentalist.
• Margaret Thatcher – Margaret’s fierceness
is what I’d love to tap into. As Britain’s first
female (and longest-serving) Prime Minister
aka “Iron Lady” for her strong opinions, strict
policy, and firm leadership.
• Coco Chanel – This lady got us to where we
are today fashion wise, a whole icon. She
revolutionized the way the female body looked
(and felt) in clothing by stripping back the
layers and corsets women were known to
wear in the 1900s, and highlighting the natural
shape of a woman.
• “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always
be different” is her famous line and I love that
she is a feminist icon in fashion, who believed
women could look just as elegant in a pantsuit
as they could in a dress.
9. On IWD, what is the most important advise you
can give to women just starting their real estate
careers?
• Believe and always bet in yourself, go after
what you want. It will take guts and action
to move from one place in life to another.
Do not be afraid to go for careers that are
“traditionally male” viewed. Stay guided
by your own personal integrity and be your
greatest cheerleader. You can do it!
Adopting a Long-term Perspective in the Real Estate Sector