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Happy International #WomensDay

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To every single woman — Happy #IWD26 🌸 What an incredible blessing it is to be a woman. With all the challenges and vulnerabilities that come with it, we are still called to show up fully. Often, we are not only solving the problems of the world, but carrying the weight of it all — many times quietly, and sometimes while being overlooked. So many capable women wrestle with self-doubt. Near misses. Opportunities we thought we had but slipped away. Moments of trying to fit in while feeling completely out of place. And yet, look at us. When we look back, we realize just how far we have come. Today, women are occupying tables and rooms we once could only dream about. Are we fully there? Not yet. Are we equally represented? Not yet. But you — yes, you — are the woman inspiring the next generation of girls. Girls who will one day speak about the doors you opened for them, even if you don’t realize it yet. May the confidence of Wangu wa Makeri, the eloquence of Maya Angelou, the courage of ...
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My 12-year career journey: A reflection

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As I reflect on my 12-year journey across various sectors— including private sector (from real estate, PR agencies, hospitality, consultancy), non-profit, and now government— I've gathered invaluable insights that I wish I had known at the start of my career.  Mind you, it took me a while to land a permanent job that I was reffered to as a professional volunteer. I am eternally grateful because volunteering shaped me. In my first 'real' job, I was featured on Parents Magazine Africa- Phenomenal Women- "Don't sit waiting for a job, volunteer and doors will open". I was a very young woman in a managerial position in a real estate company then. Doors did open, and I pray they stay open.  Each experience has shaped my perspective, and I'm eager to share these lessons in the hopes that they resonate with those just starting on their professional paths. I am a work in progress and enthusiastic about the future. So, before diving into my insights, I urge everyone...
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How did you end up in Turkana and other stories...

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How did you end up in Turkana??? I get this question a looot! I guess many ask this because of the preconceived biases based on what they have either watched on telly or heard. It's a simple lack of exposure to the beauty of Turkana. If anything, I encourage questions about Turkana so people can learn. It's either that (free) or you come visit (learn). So.... My name is Esther Mwangi, and yes I am from Turkana. To make it short, my Dad came to Turkana 54 years ago as an Accounting Clerk. Mum followed 11 years later. The two have together made a name for themselves and have become a great part of the community. That means, I was born, bred, educated, and nourished at the heart of Turkana in Lodwar. I did not end up here, this is home. A selfie of me in a full Turkana regalia. Many know Turkana for its climatic condition, and being sorrounded by three countries comes with its challenges, and that may be the other reason we are known for. Hey, we have our challenges but, allo...
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Disability Awareness Month Series- Part (ii)- A focus on undiagnosed and neurodivergent disabilities

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"Disability is not about people's impairments, instead, it's about barriers across people with different impairments" . Dr. Harun Hassan, Director, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD- Kenya) 4th Annual Inclusive Africa Conference  hosted by inABLE Did you know that an estimated 15% of the African population (1.4 Billion) is living with a disability? That's almost 220 million people who continue to face social, physical, and online barriers on a daily basis. Yet, many of these disabilities go undiagnosed or untreated, resulting in individuals struggling to understand their differences and navigating a world that isn't always accommodating. An image showing different neurodivergent disabilities was downloaded from  Pinterest . In this disability awareness month series, I'd like to focus on undiagnosed neurodivergent disabilities and embracing newly diagnosed disabilities in adults. Neurodivergent disabilities, such as autism, ADHD, dyscalc...
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Disability Employment Awareness Month- Let's chat!

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Hello, October is not only my birthday month, it is also a special month dedicated to advocating for disability employment awareness and the need to provide inclusive workspaces and sensitize employees on being patient and accommodating without prejudice and ableism practices. In short, this month is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment that values the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities. I don't think this is a coincidence, I believe I have been called to be a disability inclusion advocate. 15% of the global population has some form of disability, which makes about 220 million Africans with disabilities ( World Bank ). While there has been some progress, we are still far from fulfilling what we are all called to achieve by Goal 10 of the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which all focus on ensuring equal opportunity and reduced inequalities for all. It is vital to reflect on ways w...
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So, I got published on Nation newspaper

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As published on June 15, 2023 on Nation Newspaper by myself. https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/blogs/pwd-inclusion-should-not-be-mere-rhetoric-4266598
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Here's how the 4th Annual Inclusive Africa Conference went + my opinion piece on Nation newspaper

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So, I got published on the Nation newspaper talking about why we should be radical about designing inclusive policies for persons with disabilities. Here's the back story. The last four months from February 2023 till early June have been quite a roller coaster of activities for me. I have been the busiest I have ever been planning the 4th Annual Inclusive Africa Conference that happened from May 29 - 31, 2023 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. Over 900 participants joined virtually, 649 people joined via watch parties in 15 African countries and over 300 people in Nairobi. It was a massive success, and it proves getting better every year.  As you may already know, I am definitely a workaholic, and I don't leave any stones unturned when I'm working on something, and as the Project Manager for The Inclusive Africa Conference, my biggest job was to make sure we had an amazing conference, and so, I dived! I must admit, I lost myself and had a few health hiccups but all is go...
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