Meet Isaac Njuguna, a young artiste using poetry for activism against GBV

Isaac Njuguna, a third-year student at Egerton University, says he started using his talent for writing poetry to help his classmates attract the attention of girls in high school.

But he soon turned his creative efforts to more pressing issues.

During his high school years, Njuguna noticed the prevalence of gender-based violence against men. Moved by the issue, he began writing poetry to address the problem and its effects. 

"I started writing poetry in high school and at that time there were many cases of gender-based violence against men. I wrote pieces about the issue and its effects," he recalls.

When Njuguna entered university, he continued his advocacy work, focusing on both gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health. 

His efforts paid off when he entered and won a poetry competition.

Through poetry, Njuguna aims to raise awareness and offer solutions. His passion for this cause led him to train as a mental health champion, which gave him a deeper understanding of mental health and allowed him to create more powerful poetry. 

He believes that words have immense power. They can inspire, uplift and just as easily tear someone down. That's why it's important to focus on the beauty and healing that words can bring.

"I trained as a mental health champion to better understand the issues and offer support. It also helped to inform my poetry," he explains.

For Njuguna, poetry is more than an art form - it is a medium for healing.

"Poetry helps people heal from difficult life events and painful emotions. It allows them to rediscover their sense of wonder and beauty, and they often emerge as more articulate and confident individuals. I use relatable words to nurture hope in my audience," he says.

The 20-year-old uses his skills not only to perform, but also to offer support beyond the stage.

"I have always been a storyteller. Most of what I write is rooted in reality and drawn from experience," he says.

Njuguna hopes that his poetry will continue to raise awareness, help people process their pain and create connections between those who are suffering. 

"Poetry has always been an integral part of who I am. It serves as a release valve for pain. Putting my thoughts on paper helps relieve anxiety and sadness and prevents these emotions from building up in my mind," he describes.