Many young lawyers dream of making partner in a top law firm, and Wawira thought she would be one of them. But at 22, an opportunity at the Parliamentary Service Commission altered the course of her life into a career in public service.
“There is a scale at which public service can reach people and the transformation that can happen when it is done right. That has kept my spirit going.”
Today, at 33, Wawira leads the National Youth Council (NYC), the state agency mandated to champion the interests of more than 15 million young Kenyans. At a time when many young Kenyans have grown sceptical of public institutions, she is requesting for a rebuilt trust.
“I think many young people have lost trust and belief in institutions. But institutions matter because they guarantee that service will be delivered. Our responsibility is to strengthen them so they work for the people.”
"I don’t think integrity is something you fix when someone is 40 years old. I think integrity is something you nurture when someone is young."
Wawira studied law at the University of Nairobi before qualifying at the Kenya School of Law. She later advanced her policy expertise at the University of Oxford, England.
Before becoming CEO, Wawira contributed to several landmark legislation, including the Data Protection Act, the Energy Act and the Petroleum Act and later the Sugar Act. When she took over the NYC in 2024, she found a generation demanding jobs, accountability and inclusion.
One of her earliest initiatives was Wazo, a nationwide listening campaign designed to bridge the information gap between young people and the available opportunities. The programme has engaged thousands physically and millions online, linking the youth to government agencies who offer skills training, financing and employment opportunities.
The initiative also produced the Youth Passport to Opportunity, which is a simplified guide to government programmes available to young people.
Additionally, through their collaborations with organisations such as Google, the council is expanding digital skills training, as other partnerships focus on civic education, integrity and climate resilience, especially ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wawira is also equally passionate about nurturing values among young people.
“I don’t think integrity is something you fix when someone is 40 years old. I think integrity is something you nurture when someone is young.”
Away from the boardroom, Wawira describes herself as an avid reader; she also enjoys spending time with friends and rarely misses her gym sessions.
Despite her achievements, Wawira says leadership has taught her that change takes time. “It takes consistent effort, and it takes multiple strategies.”
She draws inspiration from former US First Lady Michelle Obama for demonstrating that women can lead while still being a wife, mother and entrepreneur. She also draws from Citygroup’s CEO Jane Fraser’s leadership, “If you make a wrong decision, change your mind.”
–Marion Sitawa