The Global Citizen Festival, Mandela 100 took place in Johannesburg South Africa to honor Nelson Mandela’s work to end poverty for his 100th birthday. Celebrities all over the world performed. Among the main performances was Beyonce and Jay Z.
Below are some of the Kenyan celebrities who got the chance to attend the spectacular event,
Media Personality Julie Gichuru has shared a life threatening experience travelling to Kigali, Rwanda.
She narrated how the plane had a problem landing twice because it was raining heavily. The pilot aborted landing twice and all this time she didn’t know what was going on as she was busy listening to music.
“Flew from Nairobi to Kigali this afternoon. As we tried to land in Kigali it was overcast and raining so we aborted landing twice. This flight has taught me some key lessons.
1. I had earphones on, listening to music- loud, as I often do. I had no idea that we had two dangerous encounters. If we went down I would have been oblivious till the last few seconds. Being present in the moment is an important thing… Or, is it? 🤨”
The situation was a scary one and she other people were literally praying and even some recorded goodbye videos for their loved ones.
2. When we landed I realised just how serious the situation was. Others on the flight had been praying and doing all manner of things in alarm. @john_seel actually recorded a goodbye video for his Mum! Yes, he did! 🤣 (we want to watch it John 🤣) So sweet though 😅 …and there I was, totally clueless.
Perspective is a fascinating thing.
But despite everything, she learned a lot from the whole experience.
3. Actually, if anything I was in great spirits while everyone else was panicking. Unaware of the aborted landings I did notice we were off course. This was terrain I had never seen before. I thought we had simply been redirected. I said to myself, ‘sometimes in life it is so important to go off course, in going onto a less travelled path you see new things and learn so much more.’ I was very impressed with my profound thought! As people prayed and recorded goodbye videos for loved ones I was marvelling at the terrain and taking pictures thinking to myself, ‘Wakanda beautiful continent is this!’ 😂😂😂 (Aren’t the pics lovely though!) Good people, Isn’t life interesting!? 😄😄😄🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤
People say marriage is overrated but no it is not, given that the people below found their perfect matches and decades later they are still keeping their vows.
Marriage is not a bed of roses and like a wise man once said ‘A marriage is like an empty box at the beginning you have to put something in it so that you can have something to receive also.’
Below is a list of Kenyan celebrity couples whom we think are a match made in heaven.
The couple has been married for almost a decade and going by their photos they are still deeply in love.
3. Nameless and Wahu
They said ‘I do ‘ in September 10, 2005 thus they have been together for 13 years. They have two daughters namely – Nyakio Mathenge and Tumiso Mathenge.
Some choose to live away from social media while others just cannot live without it, showering us with their pictures and videos.
Besides their frequent appearance on radio and television screens most keep away their kids from the limelight.
Below are some of the media personalities and their kids
1. Robert Burale
When the daddy tries to look cool and young but then you realize age is catching up with you 😂😂😂😂😂……movie day with my daughter
2. Lulu Hassan
When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children 😚.
3. Julie Gichuru
Just thankful.
4. Shaffie Weru
Feeling like a SuperHero right about now!!!
5. Caroline Mutoko
Mother- daughter escapades.Heading out to find sunshine.
6. Kanze Dena
In an earlier post Kanze took to her social media to celebrate her son’s birthday,penning this sweet message for him
” Thank you all for the birthday wishes to PRE TEEN… Thank you for the encouraging words on following the Terms and conditions of this New season.. All I have to say in my defense “Nilikubeba tumboni mwangu for 9 months.. wewe ni baba/baby Forever’…( isn’t that every mothers best defense line/blackmail line.. 😂😂😂)..
But I will support your new season ili usije kusumbua mtoto wawenyewe in future.. 😂 …” Mbarikiwe wapendwa… Happy Sunday.. Lots of love”
Women in their 40’s and 50’s are giving girls a run for their money with their fashion. Gone are the days where their fashion was considered old school.
This list of older Kenyan women proves that age ain’t nothing but a number. Go through;
Margaret Kenyatta
The First Lady keeps it simple and descent and proves to ladies that life begins after 40, with her unique sense of fashion.
Margaret, always steps out in dresses or skirt suits, and at her age she has a beautiful body and a beautiful smile to top it up, an added bonus is the short natural hair she rocks making her regal.
Prisca Namwamba, wife to former MP for Budalangi Ababu Namwamba, is not shy when it comes to fashion and flaunting her beautiful body in flattering attire.
Be it in swimsuits, office wear or casual clothing she simply looks amazing.
Cathy Kiuna
“Mum” as she is fondly referred to by her fans and church members is a true definition that being in Christianity does not have to be boring when it comes to fashion.
Cathy, a pastor at Jubillee Christian Church (JCC) together with her husband has a great sense of fashion and she seems to have a special place for beautiful heels which is every girls dream.The mother of 3 does not shy away from dressing well.
Idah Odinga
Wife to NASA leader Raila Odinga, Idah knows how to dress conservatively without looking “old”. The mother of four who is found of rocking African attires still has it when it comes to fashion and we applaud her for that.
Believe it or not Julie in her forties dresses better than some of us in our twenties. She knows how to dress for different occasions unlike the normal Kenyan girls who just pick stuff from the wardrobe.
While some of us are busy following youtube tutorials for make up lessons, hers is always on point regardless of whether she is at work or at home. She is a true definition of beauty with brains given that she is a mother of 5, an entrepreneur and a wife .
Sheila Mwanyigha
The talented media personality is ageing like fine wine, the curvaceous and beautiful Sheila always brings out her best foot forward in the fashion department.
Although no one knows her exact age it is argued she is in her late thirties or early forties, which she is embracing so well, she knows how to dress her body without over doing it and we love it.
With the current generation where people are dying to show off skin, Sheila dresses with the intention of letting team mafisi imagine what’s hidden under the beautiful figure hugging dresses.
It is hard losing a child. No parent is ever prepared for this and when death knocks most parents mourn for years while some never over come the loss.
Dr Burton Grebin once said
“The death of a child is the most single most traumatic event in medicine.To lose a child is to lose a piece of yourself “.
Some Kenyan celebrities have experienced this loss first hand and some don’t publicly express it, it doesn’t mean they aren’t hurting. So the next time you meet them on the street be kind because kindness does not hurt.
Michael Okinyi
The TV presenter lost his son after he succumbed to complications related to Sickle cell anemia. In 2015, Okinyi announced the demise of his son to the public in the tweet below.
Before his untimely death Twani was to turn 5 years
The venacular artiste famously known for hits such as ‘Agiginya’ was a mother to twins (boy and girl) before losing one of them after he developed a chest infection that saw him admitted to Nairobi Women’s Hospital, where he sadly lost the battle.
In an earlier interview with Jeff on Inooro Fm, Shiru wa GP opened up about losing her son and she said:
“It was a bad experience because I didn’t expect it. It’s one of those situations when you have tried so hard then you finally have something good and then the devil snatches it from your hands. I had tried conceiving for 9 years, heading to 10 when God blessed me with twins. I was very excited even though they did not make it to term as they were born 2 months premature. At that point, I didn’t even ask people to pray with me as I knew God had already blessed me in a big way. It (the loss of my baby and my admission) was not only challenging emotionally but also financially as the bill had accumulated up to Shs4.5 million so I had to reach out for financial aid which wasn’t easy.”
Shiru with her husband and daughter
God has been gracious to her as she still has her daughter.
3. Dbanj
Nigeria artiste Dbanj is among other celebrities who have lost their kids. Early this year his son drowned in a swimming pool at the residence leaving the young parents heartbroken.
Dbanj termed the period of losing his son as a hard one but he remained thankful to God for seeing him through.
‘The past few weeks have been incredibly trying and difficult, but God’s love has kept me and my family going. I can’t thank my team enough and the incredible love from you all. May God keep us all. #StrongerTogether’…🙏🙏🙏”
Nominated senator Isaac Mwaura and his wife Mukami Mwaura lost two of their kids after they developed complications after being born prematurely.
Mukami had delivered triplets namely – Njiru Maigua Mwaura, Mwaura Maigua and Njeri Maigua – who were all born at 28 weeks, sadly Njeri and Mwaura passed on after 3 months at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Speaking about her loss Mukami said
“The emptiness you are left with after you lose a child … “We may look as if we carry on with our lives as before. We may even have times of joy and happiness. Everything may seem normal. But this, EMPTINESS is how we all feel, all the time” ~ John Maddox, for Bereaved Parents Month “
Mukami is a happy mother though after his remaining son recently celebrated his 1st birthday.
5. Juliana Kanyomozi
Juliana, who is among the top female artistes in Uganda, lost her son after he succumbed to severe asthmatic attack at theAgha Khan hospital.
Juliana celebrated his fourth memorial with an emotional post reminiscing on how perfect he was as a son.
The laid back Julie opened up on losing her 3rd born son after a choking incident at home.
“MY HOUSE HELP WAS FEEDING THE CHILD, HE GOT CHOKED, RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE DOCTORS MANAGED TO RESUSCITATE HIM, BUT LATER COULD NOT STAND THE AMOUNT OF ADRENALINE INJECTED IN HIS BODY, THE BOY LEFT US.
I YEARNED TO SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE IN MY SLEEP HE WOULD COME IN MY DREAMS, I WAS HOLDING HIM AGAIN. IT WAS A TRAUMATIZING TIME AND I ACTUALLY SAID TO MY HUSBAND WE ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD AGAIN I CAN’T GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN.
Julie with her kids
WHEN WE LOST OUR BELOVED THIRD BORN WE WERE DEVASTATED. DESTROYED. TOTALLY BROKEN. BUT WE DID NOT LET GO OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD. IN SPITE OF OUR DEVASTATION AND GRIEF WE KEPT OUR FAITH. ONE YEAR LATER THE LORD GOD BLESSED US WITH A CHILD, AND WE NAMED HIM WANGAI, BECAUSE WE KNEW HE WAS A GIFT, WE HAD LEARNT THAT ULTIMATELY ALL CHILDREN BELONG TO GOD.”
Media Personality Julie Gichuru has come out condemning a white man who was caught in a video assaulting a hotel staff at Grand Imperial hotel in Uganda.
The man who has now been identified as Jimmy Tailor lives in Arizona,In the video, he is heard screaming at the staffer that he disgraced Jesus. He then tries several times to punch him all this, while the staffer restrains himself.
Julie Gichuru has called out to Africans not to accept being treated badly further urging the American Embassy to take action against the man for assault.
She wrote
“Dear Africans, fellow brothers and sisters, what is this? We cannot accept this. We are not longer subject to colonial masters. Our forefathers who died for our freedom would weep if they saw this. When you see this kind of behaviour record it and push for action. So, who is this man? I am told this was recorded in Uganda and he sounds American. The US Embassy should establish if he is one of theirs, apologise for his behaviour and he needs to be charged with assault and deported asap. NO. We will not accept this!!! ******************************************************Update: actually, I have changed my mind. We should NOT deport people like this straight away. They should serve some time in the jail cells of the land of the people they have insulted. Yes. Then maybe they will think twice about exposing their reprehensible attitudes on our continent.”
In his defense Jimmy who is an ex marine and who claims to be a missionary defended himself by claiming that he suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) .
He further claims that he got agitated after the staff started laughing and kicking him after he developed seizure and convulsions.
Jimmy was later arrested in Kampala and is facing charges of assault and malicious damage.
Media personality Julie Gichuru is thankful to God for her family.
In 2005, Julie Gichuru lost a son and she revealed it was the worst thing to ever happen to her.
Julie Gichuru with her family
Sometimes back while responding to questions from the audience during a poetry session, Julie opened up and tearfully explaining how her son died.
MY HOUSE HELP WAS FEEDING THE CHILD, HE GOT CHOKED, RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE DOCTORS MANAGED TO RESUSCITATE HIM, BUT LATER COULD NOT STAND THE AMOUNT OF ADRENALINE INJECTED IN HIS BODY, THE BOY LEFT US.
Also in an interview with Kalekye Mumo on Talk Central last year, she talked about the tragic moment in their life and advised mothers to be extra careful especially with babies less than a year old.
“It was incredibly hard and I need to say now that our baby choked on pureed food, and to all the mothers and fathers out there, the biggest cause of child death under one year is choking. Children can choke on liquids and they can choke on solids, we didn’t know that and it happened,” she said in part.
Adding
“You see a lot of me out there but my life is my family, my life is my children. I was devastated beyond anything, I am telling you the kind of grief where you cannot breathe. I would literally would wake up and search for breath because I had no breath in my body.”
I YEARNED TO SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE IN MY SLEEP HE WOULD COME IN MY DREAMS, I WAS HOLDING HIM AGAIN. IT WAS A TRAUMATIZING TIME AND I ACTUALLY SAID TO MY HUSBAND WE ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD AGAIN I CAN’T GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN.
Well, God later blessed her with another child and yesterday, she shared memories of her dead child leaving many in tears.
WHEN WE LOST OUR BELOVED THIRDBORN WE WERE DEVASTATED. DESTROYED. TOTALLY BROKEN. BUT WE DID NOT LET GO OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD. IN SPITE OF OUR DEVASTATION AND GRIEF WE KEPT OUR FAITH. ONE YEAR LATER THE LORD GOD BLESSED US WITH A CHILD, AND WE NAMED HIM WANGAI, BECAUSE WE KNEW HE WAS A GIFT, WE HAD LEARNT THAT ULTIMATELY ALL CHILDREN BELONG TO GOD.
“‘He belongs to God’, we said, ‘And the Lord has gifted us with the blessing to be his parents.’ Now Wangai is completing his coming of age ceremony. This process has enriched him with both cultural and Christian knowledge and values. We could not be more thankful to the almighty Lord! #AwesomeLord
DURING THE MASS THIS MORNING THE PRIEST SAID,
DO YOU SEEK THE FATHER WHO GIVES YOU BREAD OR THE BREAD THAT THE FATHER GIVES YOU?
AS WE ARE TOLD IN JOHN 6:27
DO NOT WORK FOR THE FOOD THAT PERISHES, BUT FOR THE FOOD THAT ENDURES TO ETERNAL LIFE, WHICH THE SON OF MAN WILL GIVE TO YOU. FOR ON HIM GOD THE FATHER HAS SET HIS SEAL.
WE ARE THANKFUL, BLESSED AND ENRICHED 🙏❤❤❤.
Julie and her husband are blessed with five children. Here are the reactions from her followers:
Munene.ciru: Profound….seek the father not the bread
Daviengash: Amen Amen very touching but encouraging keep the faith Julz. Thanks for sharing
Nadinemurekatete: Dear Julie the lord is always there to comfort you each and every day
David_mzepeda: God will be his vindicator, Keep your joy. Life is going to throw us curves. There will be disappointments, things that aren’t fair. That’s when you have to say, “Yet, will I rejoice in the Lord.” Blessed Mom!
Iambakari: So moving…thank you for sharing mum..be blessed
Keshrinshiks: Indeed when you seek the Father you automatically get the bread…I Adore the way you n Tonny teach your kids to be true christians n followers of Christ😘
Other celebrities who’ve lost their babies include Chantel of the Tokelezea hit song , Tanzanian actress Muna Love and Ugandan songstress Juliana Kanyamozi.
Media personality Julie Gichuru is a proud mum after his first born son turned 18,the mother of five cannot hide her excitement on this special day.
Julie who is not new to the limelight has managed to keep her family away from the limelight only sharing photos of her and the love of her life Anthony Gichuru who is a practicing pilot.
On this special day this is the sweet message Julie sent to her son. The message was followed by a photo of Julie and her son shaking hands,making it obvious that she is not ready to reveal him tho the public,we can only imagine if he has the good looks of his mother or the melanin colour of his dad.
“18 years ago today my water broke just after midnight. One and a half hours later my firstborn came into this world. So fast, so strong, so determined. In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined this journey!My son, my friend, my student, my teacher, my legacy, my love…. Happy Birthday young man! May all your days be filled with the purpose of the Lord, may they be filled with fulfilment and joy, may they be filled with effort and the blessed fruits of endeavour. May they be filled with LOVE.”
Julie is not only an amazing mother and wife but also a philanthropist who gives back to the society through her organizations such as FOOTPRINTS AFRICA FOUNDATION
which currently supports the Great Debaters Contest & Africa Leadership Dialogues, as well as the Natembea Campaign which takes shoes and healthcare information to children in less advantaged schools.
The organization also offers several scholarships annually and is in the process of launching several competitions across schools and universities in East Africa.As Julie Gichuru celebrates her sons birthday here are a few photos of the beautiful mum.
How TV presenter Sheila Mwanyigha celebrated her birthday
Kenyans are mourning that ten people who died in the ill-fated plane Fly-Sax-5y-CAC. Among those who died was a female pilot Barbra Kamau.
Barbra has been hailed as a Kenyan who loved and was dedicated to her career, having dreamt of being a pilot since her childhood. Many celebrities had interacted with her including Israeli-born singer Gillad, who shared a sweet message of Barbra and her co-pilot Jean.
MC Jessy is a familiar face when it comes to the comedy and stand up scene. Heis not only funny but a recent award by Furaha Centre for his charitable work proves that he has helping heart too.
The funny man from Meru steals the hearts of Kenyans with his dance moves and funny jokes when hosting local show Churchill raw which airs on NTV.
He has made a name for himself as he was recently emceeing at the Kinoru stadium in Meru during the Madaraka day celebrations.
Away from that the talented comedian spent some time giving back to the community at the Furaha centre in Meru bonding with children with cerebral palsy.
This came as a surprise to many since not many people know about Mc Jessy’s charitable work
Read The Horrifying Story Of Busia Girls Who Trade Sex for Sanitary Towels Even After Janet Mbugua’s Inua Dada Campaign
“Just been awarded by Furaha Centre for charity efforts in Meru and the whole country, and I have gladly accepted to be the charity ambassador for Furaha Centre,” the comedian posted followed by him receiving an award.
Here are the photos…
Mc Jessy receiving an award for his charity work
Mc Jessy’s award for his charitable work
Among other celebrities who run charitable organizations include The Footprints Africa Foundation which was established to help empower and grow healthy, dignified and informed societies in the region.
Others include Janet Mbugua who runs Inua Dada Foundation which helps marginalized girls in the society especially in marginalized parts of Kenya.Stanley Kamau who runs Ahadi Kenya and has been on the fore front helping fight against jigger attacks.
Media personality Julie Gichuru brought out her top notch fashion sense during the just concluded Stanford University Africa Business Forum held in China.
The sassy and soft spoken public figure stepped out rocking a fitting pair of African print pants with a black top (below), and wasn’t she looking amazing.
The forum creates a platform for exceptional business leaders, insightful policy makers, pioneering faculty, and motivated students with a shared interest in shaping the future of business in Africa.
Its meant to exchange powerful ideas and build long-lasting relationships. It is a collaborative effort between the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies (Stanford Seed), the Africa Business Club, Stanford African Students’ Association and Center for African Studies.
Posting on her social media platform the sexy public figure said she had had the privillege of delivering a speech during the event
Bringing a pop of African colour to Guangzhou, China! Powerful week of investment, development & private sector meetings in an incredible city! May we make the right partnerships to unleash growth & development in Africa 🌍Awesome trousers by @rdclothiing#MadeInKenya#MadeInAfrica @wanjiru_mbugua calls them pants but I just can’t speak American. In English pants are something else 😂😋
Her followers were quick to compliment her on her beautiful choice of clothes. Check out the comments below
ahmedkabima-..your so beauty gal
samuel muturi.. Looking ausome.
petermjulius..Guangzhou pande gani,,nitabuy lunch Leo
Nickson.kimani..I love the colours za longi why lie
king_kittyin ..Like your swag ,they are very unique
This is not the first time that Julie is rocking African print but every time she does she just looks amazing,leaving some of us ashamed with our terrible fashion sense
Looking at her, one would never guess Julie Gichuru can’t cook. I mean she’s successful, has a good man and is a mother to four adorable kids. How now?
She admitted as much adding she was never interested when it came to cooking.
The media personality shared a talk she had with her father on social media
“My father was reading the newspaper but stopped to contribute to a debate I was having with my mother. He interjected firmly, “But Julie, you must learn how to cook!” He was perturbed but I could tell it came from a place of love. So here’s the low down. I was a teenager & I had pointedly refused to learn how to cook. As the only daughter in the family it was obvious & apparently a source of social embarrassment. Indeed, in an African – Asian home this was unheard of, girls should know their place & the kitchen was part of that. But I was adamant, I was disinterested in the art of cooking… Read the full story on FB Julie Gichuru Fanpage 🤗🤗🤗 Just sharing a piece of me.”
She proved her father wrong by getting married to a man who wasn’t interested if she could cook or not.
Julie and her husband
She is happily married and also a mother and we hope she is learning one or two things about the kitchen.
I was there to see it happen. Actually, I also got to take a selfie with actress Connie Nielsen, who stars as Gal Gadot’s on screen mum in both Wonder Woman and Justice League.
She is the fierce leader of the Amazons in both films, who live in a fairytale-esque realm, which is closed off from the real world by a mysterious shield.
Anyways, Julie Gichuru hosted the stellar, award winning actress for a show at the Capital Club yesterday. The event was thronged by diplomats, media executives, entrepreneurs and the wealthy. Notable were the Chandaria family and former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe.
The actress is in the country to check on her Human Needs Project, an initiative that seeks to empower young people in Kibera to get employability skills. She came across as sweet, humble and a super busy woman.
Despite being a mother of five and always on the plane, she still finds time to come to Kiberat to help the needy. The project has a town centre with an ICT school and a burgeoning community of learners, teachers and supporters. Millions of shillings were raised yesterday to support her cause.
You would not expect them to be friends because they do not act as groupies, but away from the screens, Julie Gichuru and Janet Mbugua are great friends.
Well, Janet turned a year older yesterday. In her Instagram announcement post, she was wearing a black ensemble outfit, styled by Brian Babu.
#Mood 🤗🤗 Thank you all so much. My heart is full and I’ll try respond to as many of your bday posts as I can! I had flower walls, amazing conversations leading up to something exciting AND lots of love and support!
Many celebrities took to social media to wish her a happy birthday. Among them was fellow TV queen Julie Gichuru. Here is her sweet message to Janet.
Wishing Happy Birthday to an amazing, intelligent & beautiful woman, Janet Mbugua Ndichu! May this year be one of focus, purpose, continued growth & fulfilment! Love & blessings huneeee @officialjanetmbugua 😙😙😙💙💙💙👑👑👑
Julie Gichuru has been an admired public figure for years. She is a darling to many and she has proven to be a woman of steel over the years to a point she quit TV to start her own PR firm.
But one thing that amazes many is how she never ages. I mean, Julie looks like she’s 18 over and over again. Talk of good genes.
Every time she shares her throwback photos, she leaves many with their mouths wide open because she looks just the same. The best thing about her is that she lives a simple life and many people admire and love her for that. For those who’ve met or worked with Julie will bear me witness that she has the kindest heart and she’s the true definition of a sweetheart.
Well, Julie has turned a year older and she still looks the same as when she was 25. She also took to social media to jot down a message, thanking God for the far he’s brought her.
“Thank you FATHER, For your LOVE & GRACE, For every gift & blessing, For family, For friends, For goodness & mercy. Thank you LORD, For LIFE, For every single breath. For every den of lions, For every fiery furnace, For You are always by my side, My rod & my staff. Thank you my GOD for 44 years of me, For it is not promised, thank you. And thank you LORD for you 💙
Supreme Court Judge, Njoki Ndungu together with Jackton Ojwang are the only Supreme Court Judges who dissented when four others judges including Chief Justice David Maraga agreed with the nullification of Uhuru Kenyatta’s win during the hearing of August 8th presidential petition filed by the opposition party leaders.
After reading out her ruling, Njoki Sussana Ndungu got diverse reactions that ranged from love to hate. Depending on which side of the political divide one came from.
The former Citizen TV anchor Julie Gichuru recently expressed admiration for Njoki Ndungu. She however didn’t base her praise on Njoki’s controversial judgement but rather other things like how Njoki champions women’s rights when she was still a nominated MP.
Below is what she wrote;
“You are my HERO alongside our fellow Loreto sister Wangari Maathai. I watched you passionately work on the Sexual Offences Bill then present it to a hostile parliament that vowed to shoot down any attempt to protect women. You lobbied tirelessly & against all odds saw the passage of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, an Act that now provides a firm foundation for the protection of women, children & men. Resolute, determined, knowledgeable, principled & purposeful, you MADE A DIFFERENCE.
During the post election mayhem of 2007/2008 I struggled to find Voices of Reason amidst the threatening bray of loud extremists. You spoke up for peace & justice when many others were fearful. You took a NOBLE STAND FOR KENYA.
I watched you work diligently on the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission, making time to inform & educate Kenyans on the content of the draft. When you were concerned that processes were not being followed in the Commission you spoke out, UNBOWED BY PRESSURE & INFLUENCE. You have delivered the most thorough, detailed & researched dissenting opinion in the Supreme Court ruling on the 2017 General Election. UNBOWED, you have spoken hard truths, for that you are now under fire from some quarters. Such is life.
George Orwell wrote a fascinating essay, Shooting an Elephant. As a young officer in Burma, he was notified of an elephant that wandered into the village. A growing, braying mob that resented him goaded him on, demanding that he shoot the elephant. He knew it was scared, it had caused damage, agitated when it first wandered into the village but now the majestic animal was calm. He felt strongly that the right thing to do was to lead it safely, unharmed, out of the village. But this was not popular with the loud extreme voices of the mob. So, what was he to do? You, Lady Justice Njoki Ndungu, refused to ‘shoot an elephant’. Most importantly, you took the time, effort & care to give the situation the time, effort & seriousness that it deserved. I salute you!
You are an exemplar. Stand tall as the winds blow. Your foundations are strong, woman of purpose, substance & grace. Stand tall knowing that there are so many more standing with you!”
However the post brought about mixed reactions from readers;
charlesodhiambo98: You people are milking Kenya dry.. ‘n very soon we shall have our say
dennisthemenace254: @charlesodhiambo98 who are you talking about?
jemimadnjenga: May God keep her safe as she continues to serve in this generation
sarahmwebia: I love njoki Ndungu and salute her
juliegichuru: @charlesodhiambo98 who is ‘You people’? Which milk of yours have I touched? I grew up on a farm and my grandmother taught me to milk our cows. It is a lesson I have never forgotten. I have never milked another persons cows. It makes sense to invest time, effort, capital and sweat in your cows, as you will milk yours, not someone else’s. Speaking of milk. I also breastfed all my children for up to 2 years (some longer). The only milk I have had from others was when I attended a government school for two years and we were given Nyayo milk at the end of the day. Hii maziwa yako ni gani?
juliegichuru: Thank you for all the heartwarming comments. Loreto women are cut from a cloth of velvet titanium, strong as heck but with a touch of velvet. Voices of grace warm our spirits 🙏
ezzomj: I also respected her n still do stare n admire in awe of her achievements til juzi’s judgement..now unlike these other guys who hate her for nothing cz of her dissenting judgement, I just feel she spent so much time attacking the other judges instead of dealing with the motion at hand..it was honestly disappointing saana
joseend: @ezzomj: That is what a dissenting opinion is supposed to do, show why you disagree with the others. She was just doing her job. Same way the majority were doing their job despite what some quarters may say.
Cooking, being a good wife, taking care of children, sex education were some of the traditional gender roles assigned to women back in the days of our grand parents.
