SEEK AND SPARK

  I’ve been thinking a lot lately about leadership: what it is, what it should be, and why, so often, we settle for so little. From personal experiences in the workplace to national frustrations with Kenya’s political class, the recurring theme is that we have made leadership about power and not purpose and we are now paying the price. It appears there is a serious leadership crisis not just in the top echelons of our country, but also in our workplaces, families, places of worship, and communities. Every conversation I’ve had recently with friends and acquaintances has led me to believe that most people are caught in the reality of dealing with leaders whose manners and character are questionable! But this isn’t about bashing leaders or pointing an accusing finger but about raising our consciousness to this issue. I’d like us to reflect and to ask ourselves deeper questions about the kind of leadership we have come to accept and the kind that we truly deserve. Years ago, I h...

Two months ago, I turned 40! Looking back, I always imagined turning this milestone age would be epic —full of glamor and celebration —but that was not to be. Instead, this birthday was quiet, full of reflection, and overflowing with silent gratitude . And honestly? I wouldn’t have had it any other way. If I really think about it, 39 was my milestone year —the year I consciously prepared for my forties. I envisioned the kind of person I wanted to be in this new decade and started making the necessary shifts to show up fully and intentionally . I wanted to arrive on the 4th floor quietly, peacefully, and on my own terms . So, I adjusted, I let go, I realigned. Now, 40 is about taking stock of the past, appreciating the present, and curating a future that generations after me will be proud of . And as I have been reflecting on this journey, here are 40 lessons that stand out—some learned the hard way, others whispered gently through experience, and a few still unfolding. Buckle up! F...

  I absolutely love New Years! It's always twice as special for me because the celebrations don’t stop—my birthday is the very next day! I’m always excited to turn a new year with fresh goals and a renewed sense of purpose. For me, the beginning of a new year is like opening the first page of a fresh notebook—full of promise, potential, and endless possibilities. It’s a time to reflect, recalibrate, and chart the course for the months ahead. But what excites me the most is figuring out what my “word of the year” would be. I like to summarize my year in just one word and then craft my goals around that word. This is something my friends and I have been doing for many years and it has been a transformative process in shaping my intentions and actions for years! Last year, my word was "Pivot." At the time, I had no idea just how much that word would influence my journey. Without realizing it, I started leaning into the idea of change—pivoting in my career, my personal gr...

For my non-Kenyan friends, “usiguse murima” loosely translates to “don’t touch the mountain.” It’s a phrase that recently sparked national conversation and debate in Kenya, thanks to a certain Deputy President whose passionate defense of “the mountain” became his calling card—and, ironically, his downfall. Accused of tribalism and labeled a “tribal chief” rather than a national leader, his values (or the perception of them) came under sharp scrutiny. The gusto with which he guarded the mountain earned him applause from some and ire from others. Ultimately, it landed him in hot water, costing him his position. As I watched this political drama unfold, I couldn’t help but reflect: What values do our leaders actually live by? And more importantly, what values do I live by? The truth is, values drive our behavior and character whether or not we’re conscious of them. They’re like an unspoken signature that defines how we’re perceived—and remembered. Just as the Deputy President'...

  In my last post , I took you through the loops and stitches that have reawakened my creativity. Rediscovering my passions has been thrilling and humbling, as I learned to create anew with yarn and a hook. Now, as I think about what it means to grow intentionally, I realize that purpose isn’t just about what we create—it’s also about what we nurture . So here’s where this journey takes an unexpected twist: what if we thought about building our purpose and dreams the way we grow a garden? A few months back, I stumbled upon something that made me consider this connection—joining Arobaini Sacco ( Savings and Credit Cooperative ). It might sound slightly different from crocheting or storytelling, but stay with me! Imagine your purpose as a garden. It starts with a single seed, an idea, or maybe a tiny hope for a brighter future. But just like any garden, purpose needs care. It needs fertile soil, water, sunlight, and a bit of attention every day. Now, think about your garden ...

This year, I took a leap into the world of crocheting, and it has been nothing short of transformative. As I've learned to create beautiful patterns and intricate stitches, I've also uncovered a deeper sense of creativity within myself. Each loop and knot serves as a reminder of the beauty of expression and the power of art in my life. As I mentioned in my previous blog ,  the journey toward discovering purpose requires a lot of introspection and self-exploration. During my usual moments of reflection, I found myself revisiting the times when I felt most creative. I spent a significant part of my childhood in boarding school, where I discovered my talents and love for the creative arts. I excelled in music, drama, storytelling—basically, anything that encouraged me to step outside of myself and become something new. I’m grateful that my teachers quickly identified, nurtured, and encouraged my gifts. In fact, I remember a primary school teacher who often said, “Zinma, make sur...