Caren Wakoli: Story of Lady Who Moved President Kibaki to Drop Speech

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  From left to right: Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, social entrepreneur Caren Wakoli and the late president Mwai Kibaki.
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• Famous poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, once said that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
  

• The adage is true in the case of Caren Wakoli, a social entrepreneur whose speech in 2008 during the launch of the country's vision 2030 earned her acclaimed and enviable status. 

  So powerful were her remarks that the then President Mwai Kibaki, declined to read his formal speech, pointing out that the country ought to emulate Wakoli's words. 

  

  Social entrepreneur, Caren Wakoli addresses the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders in July 2019.
  

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  At the time, Wakoli - who represented the youth - took to the podium at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to make her remarks.

  In a 16-minute speech that left the country's influential politicians in awe, the speaker articulated the issues faced by youth. She noted that the leaders ought to shun divisive politics and instead focus on prioritising the needs of the young generation. 

  "This is the first time we are having a vision as a nation, but it is not too late. Kenya holds about 9.1 million young people but unfortunately, 75 percent are unemployed according to statistics by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. The data shows that youth participation in governance and decision-making processes has been very limited," Wakoli stated. 

  "If we desist from negative politics and keep the youth at the centre, this dream and vision can be realised. The test and measure of our progress is not whether we give to those who have much, it is whether we provide enough to those who have little," she added.

  In the moving speech, Wakoli further shared her perspective of the country's agenda driven by the prioritisation of the youth. This led to an ovation from the leaders present including then Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ruto, former speaker Kenneth Marende, FORD Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, and the current Kisumu governor Prof Anyang' Nyong'o among others. 

  When it came time for Kibaki to address the audience, the former president shelved his speech, acknowledging Wakoli for her stance.

  “After listening to that girl, I have decided not to read my speech. Whatever she said is what we must follow as a nation and we will be just fine," Kibaki noted.

  Due to the recognition, she got appointed to serve on the National Council of African Peer Review Mechanism, at only 27 years of age. 

  Wakoli was also recognised by former US president Barrack Obama for her work at the helm of Emerging Leaders Foundation- which deals with mentoring youth in order to eradicate poverty. 

  Passionate about youth, governance and leadership, Caren wears many hats. She describes herself as,  "A certified leadership coach, transformational leadership trainer, certified 7-Habits of Highly Effective People trainer, democracy and good governance champion, and social entrepreneur who delights in mentoring young women and men to be able to achieve their greatest potential in life."

  During the Nairobi gubernatorial face-off that was staged at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa - CUEA, on Monday, July 11, Caren Wakoli was among the pre and post-debate panelists.

  Other analysts who were hosted by Citizen TV's Waihiga Mwaura were Prof Alfred Omenya, Prof Collins Odote, Wanjiru Gikonyo and former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia.

  

  H.E. Mwai Kibaki delivers a Lecture on 13th February 2015 in the Makerere University Main Hall.

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