STEM

Mumbi Ndung’u #ZuriAwards​ 2023 STEM Honoree is a social innovation expert and leader having launched several enterprises since university, recent innovation is a tech learning platform dubbed: Power Learn Project (PLP) is a Pan-African social impact organization whose goal is to drive transformative change for youth in Africa by powering them with relevant Tech skills through the provision of quality and decentralized Tech training.

Damaris Simiyu-20 years old, a student at the University of Nairobi taking a bachelor’s degree in veterinary Medicine. One a month is a foundation that helps raise sanitary pads for needy girls .It also gives mentorship to both boys and girls giving them skills that help them cope with the current challenges facing the young generation for example drugs.

Ruth Kaveke is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Pwani Teknowgalz, a Kenyan nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gender gap in technology by empowering young women and girls in underserved coastal communities. A front-end web developer by training, Ruth has led innovative programs in web development, mobile app creation, digital marketing, and STEM education ,reaching thousands of girls through initiatives such as Technovation Challenge, Django Girls, and CodeHack. Her mission is to increase female representation in STEM by offering access to training, mentorship, and tech opportunities that equip young women with digital skills and confidence to thrive in the 21st-century economy.

Muthoni Mate is not just a breast cancer survivorshe’s a fighter, a change-maker, and a voice of hope. After being diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in 2016, she found hospital support groups a bit too clinical and heavy, leaving her longing for something warmer, more personal, and inclusive. That desire led her to start Cancer Café in September 2017.

Cancer Café is just what it sounds like an open, relaxed space where survivors, caregivers, doctors, nutritionists, and everyday people gather over tea and snacks to talk, learn, share, and heal together. It’s about breaking the silence around cancer, offering dignity, support, and understanding in a way that feels like sitting with friends. Beyond conversations, the Café uplifts lives through wellness activities, small enterprise training (like prosthetics-making), and practical support for survivors. From Nairobi to Nyeri and Machakos, Muthoni’s vision has spread, even inspiring powerful community events like Bikers for Boobies and local food drives,building not just awareness, but real, lasting resilience.

Lenah Wanjiku is a key figure behind Kids Comp Camp, serving as Lead Project Coordinator. Kids Comp Camp is a Kenyan initiative founded around 2013, aiming to empower underserved children and adults in rural and low-income urban areas with digital skills—from basic computer literacy to coding in Scratch and Minecraft.

The program runs intensive camps during school holidays across Kenya (and even expanded to Rwanda), partnering with institutions like Microsoft and GE Volunteers to set up labs and provide mentorship . Over 10,000 children (90% first-time users, 55% girls aged 8–14) and 200 adults have been trained, boosting confidence, creativity, and interest in STEM . The camps combine tech instruction, community engagement, and volunteer support to close the digital divide in marginalized communities.

Lilian Nyawira Kiambati stands out as a senior tech leader at Safaricom who blends digital service delivery expertise, cloud infrastructure strategy, and active advocacy for women in tech. Her public roles—moderating tech forums, leading panels, and mentoring—highlight her commitment to steering Kenya’s digital transformation inclusively.

A visible mentor for Women in Technology initiatives within Safaricom and the broader industry—helping to close the gender gap in tech .

Being a part of Women in Tech Kenya, her roles align closely with the organization’s mission to empower women via mentorship, networking, and leadership in tech .

Wangari is a host at AGRF 2021 international conference which raised awareness about youth in agriculture she is consistently teaching and inspiring all for free on Youtube on best Farming practices that has led to 1200 urban gardens.

Muchunku Kawira is the Programs Lead at Dada STEM, where she plans and implements programs that are aimed at bridging the gender gap in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). She created a network of women in STEM in Tharaka Nithi County in Kenya while organizing the very first Women in STEM Conference in Tharaka Nithi County, a platform to help women and girls to interact and network so as to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, ideas and good practices among themselves from relevant industries and fields while demystifying that STEM is a male field. With her passion for kids, she tailored a program to help kids in the rural areas to learn about technology and STEM at large, which is achieved through ‘Kids Coding Week’ that happens when children close school for holidays. She is also a doctoral student in Computer Science while working as a lecturer at the university. Here, she mentors the university students while acting as an active role model.

Ann Gathura has a background in BSc. Actuarial Science from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She is passionate about Mathematics and impacting students into loving the subject. This is also reflected in her Career where Ann, is a Google Digital Skills Mentor and Trainer and has worked with more than 6 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa, guiding them on building an online presence and growing their businesses online.