Two Egerton students on a mission to transform community in Njoro

In a world where many voices go unheard, a new generation is emerging—fearless, passionate, and ready to challenge the status quo.

Leading this movement for change are young individuals like Gwendolyn Ayiera, a fourth-year student at Egerton University. She advocates for child rights, education, and nutrition, working alongside her peers.

Together, they began by supporting a struggling household in Nessuit Ward, building a home, and providing school supplies for the children.

"It started when I noticed a family living in poor conditions. With the help of my schoolmates and other well-wishers, we were able to assist them. From there, we uncovered more issues that needed attention," Ayiera explains.

She soon realised that malnutrition was rampant among children in the community. In response, she initiated conversations with parents, emphasising the importance of proper nutrition.

"Many parents didn’t understand why balanced diets were essential. They fed their children just to fill their stomachs, but we encouraged them to focus on nutrition to prevent malnutrition and stunted growth," she adds.

At 24, Ayiera also champions menstrual health education, hoping to reduce instances of transactional sex among teenagers.

One of her greatest challenges, however, has been confronting deep-rooted cultural beliefs.

"Sometimes we encounter resistance when discussing sensitive issues because of the community’s strong cultural values. But we’re proud of the progress we’ve made," she says.

Naomi Mungai, another fourth-year student, is equally committed to social change. She advocates for mental wellness and fights against child sexual abuse and exploitation through community and school-based training.

"There’s a significant gap in how these issues are addressed. They’re often handled superficially, but they require deeper attention," Mungai points out.

Naomi offers customised mental health training for high school students and educates communities on safeguarding children from sexual abuse, which, in turn, helps reduce teenage pregnancies.

"These problems can be solved if people are willing to engage in honest, open conversations," she notes.

Despite the challenges, Naomi finds hope in the growing number of young people standing up for human rights and social justice.

"The work is tough, but with support, we can create meaningful change," she says.

Ayiera and Naomi have recently been nominated to participate in the Kenya ni Mimi campaign that aims to build a sustainable future for Kenya through youth-led initiatives, impactful advocacy, and innovative solutions.