Members of the Nation Media Group team share what International Women’s Day means to them and how they show up for the work.

Geoffrey Odundo, Group Managing Director and CEO

“I first engaged with International Women’s Day in 2015 and since then it has held a lot of meaning for me. It completely transformed my thinking around the importance of equality, equal pay, and giving opportunity to women across every sphere of business.

“What the day does is bring out a very talented group of people to advocate things that genuinely impact society, especially when you look at it from the perspective of being a woman. It has been very fulfilling to see that NMG is an organisation that has really taken the gender bias issue seriously. We have been able to give women a voice, recognise their talent, and enable them to rise to positions of seniority. Giving that opportunity has brought real benefit to the organisation.

“One thing I have come to believe strongly is that before a woman makes a decision, it is well thought out, end to end, including all the risks that decision might carry. By the time she commits, you can be confident it has been carefully considered. That kind of thinking is something I have seen make a genuine difference, and it is one of the many reasons I believe that giving women opportunity is not just the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing to do.”

Monicah Ndungu, Chief Corporate Affairs, Marketing and Partnerships Officer

“International Women’s Day is a celebration of the contribution women make to society, whether that contribution is through the work they do every day or simply through the fact that they continuously help keep society running. Whether it is in organisations or in the community, that is what comes to mind for me on this day.

“At NMG, the thing about women is that they lead from their hearts. They roll up their sleeves, they work, they give it all, and they lead with empathy. They make sure they deliver what the business requires, not just because they are women but because they are extremely qualified at what they do.

“As Chief Corporate Affairs, I give of my knowledge, everything I work hard to learn and unlearn, and I make sure I share that with my teams through mentorship and by offering my time. I also make sure that at every opportunity I have to represent the organisation, I am knowledgeable enough to participate meaningfully, whether I am contributing to a discussion or learning from it. That confidence comes from giving fully of yourself and trusting that it is enough.”

Faith Musyoki, Business Analyst

“For me, IWD is both a celebration and a remembrance. We honour the women who came before us, women who do not get nearly enough recognition for what they built. At NMG, I have seen women lead with integrity, strong leadership skills, and the ability to balance both technical and people skills in equal measure. In my own role, I give clarity. Sitting at a data-rich desk means turning numbers into something meaningful, something the organisation can actually use to make good decisions.”

Keith Musyimi Munyao, Marketing, Branding, Strategy and Partnerships

“For me, IWD is a celebration of resilience and leadership. We celebrate women who make an impact, not always through big titles or visible roles, but through the small, consistent things that add up to something significant. I have been fortunate to work alongside women at NMG and elsewhere who lead with genuine purpose and ambition. In my role, I give support, making sure our products have the visibility they deserve and that our clients and audiences feel valued.”

Maureen Kibunja, Business Solutions Executive, Value Added Services

“International Women’s Day is the moment the world pauses to acknowledge what women contribute every single day. At NMG, I have watched women lead with confidence and innovation, qualities that have shaped both our business strategy and the way we connect with our audiences. In my role, I give commitment and focus on creating real value. I track and document audience feedback, turning it into data that helps the organisation make decisions that genuinely serve the people we exist for.”

Jackson Mutinda, Lead Editor, The East African

“IWD is a reminder of just how crucial equity is. For generations, the structures of our world were built in ways that created barriers for women. The starting line was never the same. Simply saying the opportunity is there, while ignoring that uneven history, is not fairness.

“Equity means acknowledging that history and adjusting the structures accordingly, not out of pity, but because it is the right thing to do. This International Women’s Day, I am not here to offer women a platform as a gesture of goodwill. I am here to ensure that the platform they have already earned is finally recognised and accessible.”

Marion Sitawa, Lifestyle and Business Reporter

“IWD is a reminder of how far women have come. We are no longer invisible. We are seen, we are heard, and our impact is undeniable. This year’s theme speaks to what comes next. To gain a world where every woman’s potential is fully realised, we must give up the mind-sets and structures that no longer serve us. Give up the idea that equality is a favour rather than a right. Give up the barriers that hide behind tradition. Give up the silence in rooms where decisions are made. When we give those things up, we all gain.”

Catherine Odero Omeda, Pre-Press Production Supervisor

“Give to gain is not about charity. It is about understanding that equity unlocks potential that benefits everyone. When a woman is given a seat at the table, equal pay, or access to the same opportunities as her male counterparts, she does not keep that to herself. She builds, she creates, and she brings others along. Institutions gain from her perspective. Communities gain from her investment in family and education. Her success travels. When women receive what they have always deserved, the returns come back to all of us.”