Women from Kenya

"Politics is not for the faint-hearted."

"Politics is the management and determines who gets what get and how."

"The law is not a static tool; it is a living instrument that must be used to transform society"

"We must have the courage to make decisions that are right, not decisions that are popular"

"If you are absent at the table; so are your interest."

"Even though Women and men are equal we are different from the moment of birth to the onset of menstruation the rite of passage the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth mother hood menopause these are issues that affect us very differently from the other gender the list is actually endless."

"The next time you vote the next time you pay tax the next time you experience discrimination please don't wait for the time to become involved get a seat at the table."

"He made us fight so much, he made the women movement very strong infact we became almost militant."

"Covid-19 has taught us a lot of lessons. You might be very talented, yes, but at times, depending on circumstances, you may find yourself having nowhere to utilise your talent. It’s been long since the athletes had a meaningful competition and this should serve as a lesson for the future."

"If I have nothing to sacrifice, I have nothing to gain."

"I don't run anybody else's race. When the gun goes off, I must evaluate with my own body and see. Then, as the race develops, I run accordingly. So you can say that I do not have a set tactic for any race."

"I still do intense interval training. I like miles and quarters best. In races I can set my mind, and I believe I could break 2:20 again."

"From the Bible I have learned if you want something good, you must sacrifice."

"“I always felt I could close the gap once I started pushing the pace.”"

"Takahashi’s run in Berlin made it so much easier for me. "It was like she broke a barrier. Before, women didn't think we could go under 2:20. In future, the next generation will run under 2:18. Maybe they will break 2:15 one day."

"If I had been able to run naked today, I would have. "Unfortunately I couldn’t, because my daughter was here watching… She wouldn’t like it if her mother was running without her clothes on."

"When you think about it if you close your eyes and listen to me, would you know that I'm a person with albinism is there anything in my voice that says I'm a person with albinism? so in everyway l am like everyone else."

"If I am a young girl or a young boy, l think of the same hopes, the same aspirations as every other child, as every other woman, as every other man."

"I would like a society in which lam allowed to grow and fulfil my desires, my dreams because we all have dreams."

"People judge you as this child with albinism and basically there is nothing that they can see and value in you. We are human in everyway like you, that we are entitled to the same dignity as you, that we feel the same cold and the same pain and the same heat that you do, only that we don't have pigmentation."

"If society could begin to see people, as children, as women, then perhaps life would be different."

"In this whole word there will be deliberate who will be the priests who will pass me by but it will always be the Samaritan who will guide me."

"Society we are allowing people die when they needn't"

"The worst was when adults really call you names as a child you don't understand and you know this is a person who looks like my mother or my father where they laughing at me."

"We have to prove ourselves, women, we can do it maybe even better."

"I get to experience the extremely busy airspaces and adverse weather, which is a challenge I like to take on. The airspace in Africa is not as busy and we don’t have extreme weather like hurricanes, snowstorms, etc"

"There was also uncertainty of how my male counterparts would accept me with all the stigma surrounding the male-dominated career, as I would have been a first."

"Coincidentally, the passenger who declined to fly with me was on my first Fokker 50 flight from a city in Kenya, Kisumu. He said he was not a guinea pig to be flown by a woman."

"As a mother of boys, I’m all for empowering women, but let’s not forget the next generation of boys."

"I would definitely encourage more young women to consider careers in the aviation industry."

"I think the one thing that stood out for me when it comes to hurdles is having been the first woman and the only woman in the airline"

"“Television is great l think its going to move if we talk about an online show l would want to get into a more conversation show.”"

"“A key thing is be very clear about what your own objective is find your your voice and then use it.”"

"“Don't just go into be oh grace is doing this l want to do this what do you bring and what is it that is authentic about yourself because the minute you are authentic you will be surprised.”"

"“If you could be anything in this world be yourself.”"

"“I think we don't give ourselves enough time to kind of get to know people.”"

"“People only like you when you are at your best when you look proper when you look together thats when people like you.”"

"“At some point I just wanted it to be over. I was just tired. I was really, really tired of the fighting, of the struggling, of being sick“"

"“People define success as making a lot of money and going up the corporate ladder. For me, my success was getting up every day and going to work in spite of how I felt.”"

"Everyday when we look after the trees, they look after us, but this trees and the life-saving fruit they bear will not survive on a 2.7 degree celsius warmer planet."

"I believe in our human capacity to care deeply and to act collectively. I believe in our ability to do what is right if we let ourselves feel it in our hearts."

"Most of the things that are happening in the world right now are because we have chosen to put profits above the people and our planet."

"But if we can get everybody around the world to love nature, to appreciate nature, and to make sure that we are doing this from deep within our hearts and deep within ourselves, then we can change so much in the world within a short period of time."

"This is about humanity's future. This is about making sure that the world right now is liveable."

"If we are going to achieve everything, we will need everyone on board."

"It's not easy to get someone to take action. That ability and the will to act has to come from deep within us so that we can do what must be done and we need to know how to get people and how to move people to actually take action. And if we get a majority of people who actually understand and feel it themselves, then we are the people that are also going to move the leaders to take action."

"That kind of people power is what is going to make a huge and real difference in the world today."

"I am the first woman in Kenya to take this office but because every time a member of the marginalised group breaks a barrier, they hold a space for the dreams and hopes of others."

"It is a heavy one but it becomes lighter because it is a shared responsibility. It is a shared responsibility because justice works through a chain which runs through all the branches of government and it is as strongest as its weakest link. At the end of the chain, it is us the Judiciary, but we cannot work when the chain is broken."

"I am a villager in the truest sense. My parents were peasant farmers and we were 18 children from two mothers. So, for all of us, especially girls - it was a struggle to overcome the odds."

"He who alleges fraud must show proof. Allegations of ballot stuffing were only unproven hypotheses. Fraud is a serious offence and must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt."

"Food helps people talk nicely… so we will have a couple of retreats, eating [there] to understand what is the problem."

"We are being respected now not only in the region but even in the whole world. They are looking upon Kenya for leadership and also for independent institutions, especially the institution of Judiciary” “This is not because of my power, but this is because of the faithful God that I serve."

"...increasing our own source revenues or improving from the levels where we are will give us the freedom to budget and that will ultimately improve service delivery to the citizens."

"The bio-metric system of voter registration is a unique identifier under the act are the signatures and it is incumbent upon the commission because the taxpayer pay for the work of the commission and the bio-metric voter registration ."

"I’d love to be remembered for inspiring young people to live their best lives, to aspire for courageous leadership, transformative leadership."

"I am not living in my mother's Shadow, I am basking in her light..."

"Girls education benefits on herself, her family, her community, her nation."

"Unless all our children are in school, we can’t talk about development. Development will not come from minerals and oil; it will come from the people themselves. It is the way they think and how productive they are in whatever they do"

"We need to train thinkers and innovators. These are people who can make it wherever they go"

"Family is central as far as we are concerned l guess that why we have always been partners."

"Educating a girl is educating a nation. When you educate a woman, you have educated a whole community"

"If teacher are professional and they know any child can learn, any student can learn any subject literally the children will do well"

"I will not cut my Dreds because the fruits of independence have not been enjoyed by the people who sacrificed the most."

"Some fighters are alive, but live in squalor. They are handicapped, blind, sick, beggars and squatters because nobody shared with them what we fought for. They sacrificed to unchain Kenya, but they were left poorer."

"Up to date, the country is in the hands of collaborators. They are only concerned about their wealth and not the interest of the masses. Everything they own today is because we fought for it. It’s sad that many of us are either dead or live in deplorable states. I prefer to keep quiet and watch things as they unfold."

"It was not easy that change has amalgamated where women are also accepted in society. It's all in the streets that women can do it."

"It is our turn to shine!"

"I am so much enmeshed in my Luo family and community I am not afraid of writing from within it either."

"I had already worked out, long before, that Marjorie was an exceptional human being and, consequently, I contrived to record as much about her as I could, for posterity."

"When I was studying neurosurgery, I didn't have any women role models to look up to or approach for advice. This was a major challenge. That's why I want to be there for others now. I want them to know that if I did it, they also can."

"Whatever you do in life do it to your best because it gives you more opportunities and more doors open."

"Seeing people lose lives in the course of my field of work has given me a totally different outlook on death and acceptance and learning to live in the moment, learning to do what needs to be done now, because tomorrow is not assured."

"Some people in Mombasa have the perception that the private hospital is only used for a certain class of people. Our goal is for Mombasa to become a destination for medical tourism, but we are also trying to get rid of the perception that our hospital is solely for the rich."

"I love my job as a doctor and for my patients to have the best healthcare they need the best facility so that is what I try to achieve by keeping up with all the new medical trends."

"I have seen a lot in my line of work but one thing I completely cannot stomach is child abuse."

"Initially our differences were mundane: nothing unusual really. But I guess bad behavior gets worse every time it is excused."

"As a doctor, I do appreciate my limitations, and I pray a lot. Some things are beyond me, and if I’m not able to do anything, we let God’s will be done."

"The man who is an auditor came to my home asking for my hand in marriage but I flatly rejected his overtures because I knew that I was the custodian of my own future."

"Women can be custodians of culture, too"

"Inspired by the need to keep this culture; i am teaching the significance and the importance of the drum to young boys, women and girls."

"Women can do whatever they want. If you are good at something you should be allowed to do it."

"I was drawn to the football pitch when I was eight years old. A journey inspired by my brothers who would allow me to go and watch them play football"

"There are things you are going to hear and face that might demolarize your efforts but take each one of them with a positive mindset and let them be a motivation to the things you want to achieve."

"Keep going and keep believing that your continuous work will one day pay. Blessed new week."

"It is time for young people to participate in efforts to conserve the environment because most of them will be around to suffer the effects of natural calamities that could come as a result of climate change. There are many urgent issues, but I would narrow it down to two; climate change and quality leadership."

"Fishers get a high-quality catch and therefore make more money per trap whilst reducing negative ecological impacts"

"The coral reef fish recover due to reduced fishing, and the numbers of fish increase in the tengefu and surrounding fishing grounds. At the coast, there is a growing movement called tengefu, (meaning “set aside” in Kiswahili) in which communities agree to halt fishing for a while."

"Marine management is about using a suite of methods that keep fish biomass at around 500 kg per hectare, which greatly increases the chances of sustainability and habitat resilience"

"The seines were banned in 2010. However, they are still used in some areas of the coast where people lack the political will to stop it"

"̽Growing up partly in Dar es Salaam is what made Muthiga have passion for the ocean. "My mother used to take us to the beach on Sundays. Swimming in the ocean and seeing the various creatures, shells and algae washed up on the beach fascinated me""

"A peace process is not about the mathematics of numbers and percentages in relation to who is in majority or minority. It is about plurality, diversity, participation and ownership of all affected by the conflict and who live in the context hence nothing less than full participation and ownership."

"“Feast with your enemies. So I do my best to prepare and offer food to those with whom I find myself in disagreement.""

"I dedicate myself and the right livelihood award owner to the service of peace in a practical way to consolidate the work already undertaken and to give a new energy and focus in developing peace system by harnessing the body of knowledge through establishing a University for peace in Wajir Kenya."

"Entertainer doesn't grow old, we are young at heart."

"It is not just about singing, it is about purpose."

"What is this craze about women and their booties? For us African women, it is natural. We have it, darling. So whenever I am taking pictures I don’t have to show it. We are all taking pictures of our behinds. I do not understand the fascination - it is unbelievable! We are losing our cultural values which is not a good thing."

"I like my roots as an African and I think that I express myself better in my native language."

"I can actually make an impact, over and above my music because I also want to be remembered for my deeds."

"Put God at the centre of everything. That’s my biggest piece of advice. I don’t know how people do it without God. For me, it was the best thing ever. Marriage takes work, but it works"

"When God gives something it's not only for yourself but pour it to other people and help uplift them as well"

"Self love and value to know which opportunity you should take and which one you should leave"

"Be kind, be loving, the world needs it so badly"

"I don't know if I will be in the Olympics, but if I am I will try my best."

"“I am very happy to come and compete in the first Rock and Roll San Antonio Marathon. This will be my comeback race,”"

"Today I felt so good when my student flew me. Captain Jibril was one very disciplined and focused student in his primary school, May Allah grant him success in dunya and aqheera (earth and heaven)."

"Running was in my blood from the beginning. If God has given you a talent, you have to show it. People told me, 'You won't have children if you run long distances.' It was lies. I wanted to be like the men. If no one gives you encouragement, you have to encourage yourself."

"People would always be fighting over resources: land, animals, water. When I grew up, I wanted to find a way for people to listen to me – but for that to happen you need a title. At that time, I didn’t realise that sports could help me to be the way I am. Those two sides of me came together, to help me work for peace."

"I always overcame obstacles because I stay focused on what I want and how to be better,” she said. “I have proven to myself anything is possible if I put my mind to it. This is why I started the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation."

"“Thanks to God for my sister Janet, who got saved after Mum’s burial, and introduced me to faith, without her knowledge. At the age of 9, I could kneel beside Janet, and repeat her prayers. I slowly learnt how to pray, and began telling God, that when I grow up, I want to be known”."

"“People may criticize from afar but they have no idea what I was going through. Only the few people in my circle know and can tell, It has been a challenge and a learning process. Through it all, I have learnt a lot of lessons. It wasn’t easy,”"

""For me I wanted to use my music to have a positive change into the society, and positive change is not only spiritual change. Positive change for me has been a peace activist, an environmental activist, women empowerment and girl empowerment"."

"You are limitless, you are in control of so many things, they are superficial. You are an entertainer, the minute you are off that stage don't expect, do not carry that euphoria to the rest of your life"

"When I was out there, I was running for my country and wish to thank the Kenyan people for their tremendous support they accorded us."

"Initially I didn't believe it when I heard the good news. It's truly a dream of every athlete to win a medal in the Olympics and I'm honoured to have my parents accompany me and share this joy."

"You can run at any time, any where, given the conditions."

"Everything that is required for you to succeed begins with your mental state."

"When we meet together I remind them that the goal for a championship is like any other big marathon."

"To say something is impossible is to fear. I have no space for the word impossible. I don't tolerate it. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but whatever it is, I will face it."

"The music don’t stop, it sings to an action. Who are you? Better know your reaction."

"This is a conversation we should not even have in our country because accepting it is like throwing our morals into the dustbin."

"When you empower a woman, you empower a community. Women are the backbone of society, and their empowerment has a ripple effect that touches every aspect of community life."

"woman gains the confidence and resources to pursue her dreams and aspirations when they are helped in society."

"The world isn’t an inheritance from our forbearers but a gift we pass to our children. Let us wrap it in the green of trees and the serenity of nature as we aim to plant 10 billion trees by 2032."

"A child who appreciates trees grows into an adult who cherishes the environment."

"When you find a wife that is helping you, she understands you, she prays for you, she helps you do your work, that is when you start making progress in life."

"“As Soon as People See You Cough, They Say You Have the Disease”"

"I knew that I wanted something different. So, instead of focusing on being intimidated, I focused on education. I focused on going to school and making sure I stayed there."

"If you want to get married, you can get married. You have to choose to whom you get married and when the right time is. Marriage is a lot of work. But there is no pressure, the time will come, and there are a lot of men out there!"

"But when you give a girl an opportunity, she will never, ever embarrass you or let you down."

"I could've easily given up but I didn't. All my breakdowns are breakthroughs. I believe I need them in order to push through."

"I wanted to continue with school because my mother was denied an education and she always told us if she went to school she would have been a different person, so I talked to my dad and told him I can only go through the genital mutilation if he lets me go back to school."

"I went through the genital mutilation not knowing what it was."

"I was told it's what will make me a woman. I didn't know that it's something that is done very... it's horrible, you are cut, your genitalia is cut, no anesthesia, you bleed and some people die out of it."

"I'm lucky, I only fainted and came back to life."

"My education has enabled me to learn about it and now I stand against it and stand so that no other girl can go through that."

"“Since I joined the road running, I have had a successful outing and I am yet to finish in a bad position."

""It will be a tough race but I will do my best."

"women are a powerful force for change across the globe. ."

"I do not see myself as being exceptional, I see myself as the product, through personal application, of what I wish for all women and indeed all men everywhere."

"I am attentive to power in knowledge production and transfer processes and explore these dynamics through my methodological and pedagogical choices""

"How people experience the impact of harmful laws that criminalise behaviour is directly impacted by their racial, gender, and class positioning in [their] societies.”="

"You cannot think about being a woman only from the perspective of being a woman."

"The work that we should be doing is to excavate, to rethink the very robust and broad ways that our societies understood gender."

"My feminist politics evolved from childhood as I was raised in a family of strong women."

"I continue to be involved in civil society activism on women's rights and believe in fusing academic research and 'practical' activism."

""I believe in living my own life and do what I love even when those around me do things different. It does not mean I am better than them, this is just who I want to be and do things"."

"I am really progressing well in my training. Running is my passion and I will not get tired. I really appreciate my fans who have been following me and for those who are asking if I am still running, the answer is yes and I want to promise them I will do my best"

"After my maternity leave, it was not that easy since you have to shed a lot of fat, and then you now start concentrating on the training programme. It is not easy and it is not something you can start in a day"

"We are happy that BingwaFest is coming back for the second season. This is a tournament that has valued athletics as much as the other sports, and it is a good platform for us athletes to not only help us stay in shape but also earn some money. I will be taking part in the 5,000m and the 10,000m races, and I look forward to it"

"It feels so good, I was so happy because I defended my gold"

"The best part was that I felt so comfortable out there"

"My plan was to defend my gold, but the race was difficult because of the weather"

"I expected to have more of a lead"

"Music is my life. And through these last few years, I've experienced various challenges. But through it all I have recognized that music and life are quite similar. Music and life alike is a balance of order, rhythm and harmony."

"My first reason for singing is my love of music. When I am on stage, the real me comes out. It gives me great pleasure that people actually love me and my music. But I am just an ordinary Kenyan and I still eat my githeri (maize and beans) in the same restaurant I did since I was a small girl."

"I come from a talented family of singers and musicians, and I never thought being talented in music was a gift. I thought everyone could sing. I found out later that it was a gift and decided to pursue music as a career."

"Change is good because this change is brining in more money"

"Give people what they want to see, show what they want see"

"My body is my business and it is a money-maker"

"All parts of me are me because I have worked on some parts of me"

"Once you know what people want and you know this is what they like you give them what they like"

"I love the negative comments, because people do not hate you, they only love to hate"

"We are seeing the need for veteran athletes to come together, to advice and to support each other."

"I am in good shape and I hope to run well tomorrow. The race will be very tough with Lornah and Anikó. It will not be easy but I will do my best. It depends on who will be pushing the pace and also on the wind conditions."

"My motivation is to run good. If I’m still running good then I’m not going to retire. I hope I can run in the Olympics and World Championships, but it all depends on the bodywork, like a car."

"I have always wanted to play in Spain. I want to try European basketball and hope to give my best version."

"McDonald spoke very well of Asturias and I am very excited about this opportunity. Right now, I only think about the remaining six matches but I would like to do things well and stay here longer."

"I am aware that on Saturday we have a final against Arxil, and I feel very well physically, I have not stopped training."

"This gives me the chance to convince them that impossible is nothing. Women can do better both in sports and in normal life, with self-discipline, respect and boundaries. This also helps the field of martial arts to grow among women and reduces the stereotypes linked with gender and sports."

"I have no worries at all. I train based on scientific principles. My taekwondo coach is a professional in the sports field which is an added advantage to me. During training I am taught about conditioning, anatomy, and injuries and their management, so I understand the human body and hence am very cautious while training by doing the right exercise."

"Scientific training helps me improve on my physical ability, fitness components, flexibility, reaction time, strength, power, speed, balance and agility."

"I sacrifice much time to make sure I balance each and every activity. I live a normal life outside the ring, just like any other person. Like a police officer while on duty and off duty."

"I did not see this coming, I am excited because you guys have made my day. I am hoping to come to Kenya next year for the nationals and I have my eyes set on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo."

"“We are tried of being bombarded every single day with news of how much money we are losing that should be going to fight the COVID pandemic,”"

"“Theft doesn’t even stop during a pandemic,”...“We have people dying while some are stealing.”"

"extremely personally lewd, body shaming me and my family"

"I kept asking myself if there was anything I could have done. Perhaps if I had stepped in, he would still be alive"

"not being able to sleep well and sometimes, not sleeping at all! When I get any of these episodes online, I am hardly able to sleep. I spend my nights worrying and dreading getting back online when morning comes"

"you don’t wake up and say, I’m going to be an activist, that is the career that I want. It doesn’t work like that really. You find yourself in these spaces because you’re angered by something or you want to change something"

"I had just entered my car then rolled down the window. That was at Langata mall, outside a supermarket called Cleanshelf at 8pm. Some well built, tall and dark man just approached me. I had seen him standing near my car but he was not a suspicious person. He then mumbled something like Wacha kelele, ama tutakumaliza (stop making noise otherwise we will kill you). He hit me on my left eye and walked away. He was not in a hurry to run or hide"

"The public support I get is what keeps me going"

""Winning doesn't mean you played well, you might have won because of the opponent's mistake"."

""If we believe in ourselves, if we put God first, I know everything is possible"."

"Discipline to me is usually being in the court before the coach"

"Being humble is away to receive blessings and feel good"

"“This is about the countless girls, women, boys, men, and elders all over Kenya and Africa who dare today are working to bring female genital mutilation and child marriage to an end,”"

"“They will say, ‘We did this because we believed in it, but now we want to encourage girls to go back to school,”"

"Was when I was eight years old, my sister and I ran away at four a.m. and hid in a tree to escape from the cut. The next day I went to him, my grandfather was the first person who I could convince that the cut was not necessary, and was the first person who listened to me. He changed my life, and that’s why today I am the woman of my dreams. Thank you"

"And the second toast is to my elder sister, Soila, she was with me the first time I ran away, but the next time I escaped, she gave up because of the beatings we received from our family members. She was first one that got the cut at the age of ten, and since that was the only way she will be considered a woman in my own community, and that’s why I do this work today because of the sacrifice she made for me then"

"We are simply saying let's retain the good part of our culture, because we have so much that is good in our culture that we don't have to do away with"

"In the whole process of circumcision, what we hate is the cut. All the rituals, blessings from cultural leaders, people dressing in their traditional clothes as dancing and singing our beautiful songs — it's not harmful. It's good"

"Remember, they don't know how circumcision is done for girls or women, because they are not allowed to be there. ... They don't know where it's cut, or what is being done to them"

"And once they see these videos, that's when they see the pain that these girls undergo, and that's when they say: 'I will not allow my daughter, or I will not allow my sister to undergo the same"

"“I was a chauffeur for the bridal party. When the bride stepped out of the house, the ladies laid kangas all the way to the car for the bride to walk on,”"

"“I’d never seen that before and was amazed at this poignant symbol, that her path to happiness was paved with beautiful messages on beautiful cloth.”"

"I dream of the day when To Revolutionary Type Love might become an icon, might be considered this different and powerful thing that came out of Kenya and spoke on behalf of many marginalised people, people who should be accepted as part of the fabric of society."

"I’ve always equated clay with the humanity that’s within us, fragile like our bodies. It can tip over. You have it on its toes, but if you push just slightly on the wrong pivot, it will break your heart."

"“There was something so soulless about it. For me, there wasn’t a justifiable rationale in advertising the merits of one soap against another.”"

"“The aim was to learn the skills I needed to go back to Kenya and maybe go into advertising, which was a growing business at the time.”"

"...of all making mediums, clay is the most versatile and pliable and naturally earthly, sympathetic and human."

"“There are presumptions, in the world as it is now framed, of who the worthy victim is and who merits the power of full witness,”"

"We know, nyara, that to name the unnamable is a curse [...] Even if you plant another story into silence, see, the buried thing returns to ask for its blood from the living."

"She would have to relinquish her feelings for water to the power of numbers, navigational compasses, Napier’s Rules, coordinates and geopolitics. She watched her lecturer. Could she propose that the sea sweats differently depending on the time and flavor of day and night? That there are doorways within the sea and portals in the wind? That she had heard the earth and moon and sea converge to sing a single storm-borne wind, and these had called her to dance, and that she had danced at night with them under a fecund moon?”"

"On the map she looked at, there was no place marker for Pate Island. No color brown or green to suggest her own existence within the sea. So she wanted to know about places that could be rendered invisible.”"

"He would learn to always stoop to meet her eyes. She expected this: eye-to-eye conversations. She needed to see everything his soul suggested."

"Ayaana would learn that there seemed to be no absolutes in the world, only codes and questions and a guarantee of storms."

"Ayaana was surveying the longest line on the globe’s three dimensional grid, the equator, the first line of latitude. Her special point zero, 40,075 kilometers long; 78.7 percent across water, 21.3 percent over land, zero degrees, all the Kenya equator places she had never imagined to claim as her own: Nanyuki, Mount Kenya. The invisible equator line crossed only thirteen countries - Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, São Tomé and Principe, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Uganda, Somalia, Maldives, Indonesia, and Kiribati - thirteen countries that were the center of the world, and hers was one of them."

"Ebbing: disappearing, becoming of the sea. Flowing: returning, rolling on the sands, returned to earth."

"I may not have won gold in Oregon but the silver has definitely opened up many doors for me,"

"The future is still bright for me. In athletics you win and lose some,"

"It was not easy in Oregon when Chepngetich pulled out. She is a champion and her experience would really have come in handy in our campaign for gold."

"She was always encouraging us to push harder and up our game, so when she dropped out she urged us to continue putting pressure on our race adversaries."

"We took up the challenge and gave it our all as the country's reputation was at stake."

"I am happy that at least Kenya was on the podium. But looking at the situation critically, I still feel that I will continue being a star at least for the foreseeable future."

"I am not sure about my next race. But the idea is to go back on the drawing board and I believe I will be stronger and better with proper preparations,"

"Marathons are not for the fainthearted, so kudos to those who wished us well. We will strive to run at the summit as always and pray that we remain in good shape."

"It is great to win gold in my first championships race over 10,000 with a personal best...We were inspired by the marathon girls and we wanted to achieve the same."

"My fourth Olympics and I hadn't had gold. Today I said 'I am not going to lose'."

"I wanted to enjoy the crowd and be able to enjoy the atmosphere and just compete to my best ability, and I think I did that."

"My preparation for each race is very key. When the race begins I just like to get into the groove and go from there."

"I have never attempted to change my skin. I am natural. People in Europe and America love my dark skin. But here in Kenya, in my home country, some consider it not attractive."

"The reality in the African (model) industry is: the lighter your skin tone the more beautiful you are."

"I came to learn that this is a different world when it comes to rejection and also why people are looking at me is because I stand out, I am exotic, I am beautiful!"

"Leadership is not about you being a queen or a king, or putting yourself on a pedestal. Leadership is about coming to the ground with the people."

"Today I’m very happy because I won this year in London...I knew I was strong because I have done good training so I was having a feeling that I could do it."

"I knew this morning I was going to run well and there was such a good field you were always worried someone would do better,...It wasn’t until 25 miles that I got that confidence back and felt I could win."

"This is a great moment for me, and this is a day I will not forget for the rest of my life."

"I spent a lot of my early blogging career sort of highlighting all the ills of the government in Kenya and all the corruption and problems."

"I always ask the question: As more Africans are going online, are they finding content that is meaningful and relevant to them, or are they just consuming from everywhere else. As Africans, we have the capacity to generate our own content."

"I believe in the power of ideas. I believe in the power of sharing knowledge."

"Blogging requires consistency, and you need to have some time on your hands, which I don't really have."

"We can't entrepreneur our way around bad leadership. We can't entrepreneur our way around bad policies. Those of us who have managed to entrepreneur ourselves out of it are living in a very false security in Africa."

"Life is too short to play-act if you don't have to."

"Anyone who has been successful and has knowledge to share is a potential mentor."

"I am convinced that this time is good enough to be selected for the Kenyan World Championships team."

"Some people like to run but they can not run [very fast]. It (running fast) is a talent."

"I don’t do anything. I just run. So I have to just focus on running. We don’t have any other jobs. Where we get money, it is from running. That makes us to work hard. If we do not win, we do not get money. If we do not get money, how can we live? In Kenya, everything is money, money, money. So we have to make it [in running]."

"Myself, I am sure I am clean. No doping scandal at all (with me)."

"I was never worried that I'd lose this,...At 35km I noticed that my other two team-mates had dropped off and that gave me the motivation to carry on."

"I had prepared that I would move out at 35km and my body was responding very well, as well as my movement,...At the 40km mark I knew the gold was mine. It was very hot but everybody had to get through the heat. I had to control my body and listen to my body very carefully."

"I am not happy about my race because I fell with 2 laps to go. The past 3 years I did not perform at my best but I have been improving a lot recently. I am not saying anything about the Kenyan team for the Olympics, but I will try my best in the rest of the season."

"What I have learnt is that a genuine name and personality will always remain,...Athletes should learn a lesson from these dopers that whatever you take, it will always come out, however, long. Shortcuts are not the way."

"I’m feeling so good to win my first World title. Since I started steeplechase in 2009, I knew that one day I was going to be a World champion. I have been waiting, waiting, and this year it is my time."

"I have had very good training and will be happy to see who the opposition lining up against me is. I want to run a fast time and look at making the Kenya team for the World Championships in 2019 in Qatar."

"I have no plans to compete on the track this season. My focus is on the road race and hopefully, I will string together good results and put my name up for selection to the marathon team for the World Championships next year(2019)."

"I love to compete and run as fast as I can. It is road, time and me."

"I want to continue being in the athletics, and that is why I saw it wise to change from track to the marathon and road races."

"I'm new in marathon races and I will be looking forward to a good performance. It's been a tough training for me, but it has come from me in terms of good will and hard work for good results."

"I have been in athletics for a long period and what I can say is that when you are disciplined, you will be there for a long period. It really motivates me training with the world beaters like Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamworor."

"I have done my part on the track and now it is only right to try out a new challenge and the marathon discipline is inspiring enough."

"Eliud Kipchoge has inspired me. I have seen him train, the punishing he goes through to be ready for a marathon and it is worth to try it out."

"I believe 5,000m is my race though I took long to realize and specialized in the 1,500m. Since venturing in the 5,000m, my performance has been growing and I believe the best is yet to come."

"This season has been inspiring for me considering I have been able to lower my personal best. I have decided to settle for 5,000m and just hope for the best."

"For me, the improvement in time this season has been key and very inspiring for that matter."

"We went to like the last sprint and I knew that this was going to be the toughest sprint so I waited and waited so sprinting that I was like I have to go for it or give it everything I have."

"That was like the greatest thing I've ever felt. I feel so happy and grateful to do it here in Boston."

"I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to get second,’ but then realized quickly that she still had a shot. “I saw the finish and thought, ‘Oh, I can kick; I have a chance to win today."

"My coach used to tell me, 'If you win big races, your life is going to change,'... So I was a little prepared, and I'm having fun with it, but you really don't know what it's like until you're there."

"I was trying to help some of the Kenyans coming there to learn Japanese...But I decided I wanted to be more serious about running and make it my job. I felt like I was not going to reach my goals if I stayed there (Japan)."

"I didn't start training for the marathon when I was 20, 21, 22, like a lot of the women now...The other thing is that I didn't want to run marathons just because it was the thing to do. I felt like I wanted to do it only when I was ready to do it well."

"I love racing in New York...I know [the marathon course] is not as fast as some of the other races, but sometimes you have to feel it in your heart. You go where you want to be."

"Returning to Pittsburgh as the defending champion is really special to me....Last year (2022) was my first time in the city and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. The best part of the race is seeing all the amazing spectators on the course, regardless of the weather. My goal this year is to win the race again and see how far I can push my limits."

"It feels great to win my first race ever in Pittsburgh...It was so great seeing all the people on the course and cheering despite the rain. I can’t wait to be back!"

"This will be my first time coming to Pittsburgh...It’s always exciting to travel to new places and Pittsburgh has been on my bucket list. I’m motivated to capitalize on my training this spring, rather than refocus on another marathon. I am feeling fit and ready to run fast in Pittsburgh."

"The great feelings, I still have it. Lots of memories...It’s good to be back, back where I started. Not where I started running, but where I started to run well."

"It’s crazy. When I won the Boston Half, it’s when I was new. I had just started training with my coach and I saw that my training is paying off and all that stuff. Since then I kept going to races and getting better and better. This is where it all started, that year was when we started to get better...I’m excited. I love it here."

"I can tell you, my coach used to tell me ‘If you win Boston or big races like that, your life is going to change and everything is going to change.’ I was like ‘Oh yeah. I don’t think too, too much.’ But I can tell you it has changed a lot. Everywhere you go people stop and talk to me and say good luck, and want to know more about running...That’s one thing — I’m more inspired by it. Just how people are really into it, knowing it and wanting [to run more]. I go to the store and people stop me and that’s really good. It keeps me going."

"Coming back, every time is good and awesome...offering up some last minute advice. Make sure you have enough energy and are feeling yourself and know how much you still have left to go on the hills… Pace yourself."

"I am so happy, it was the only medal I missed in my cabinet."

"I didn’t know I was going to win because the race was tough. I used my mind and decided to be patient...We had the Ethiopians in the races before and we saw they are strong on the hills. This was the last chance, I don’t think I’m going to go for another World Cross-Country."

"I’m satisfied with my second place finish, what matters most was to finish within 1-2 bracket. I will go back and work hard in training to ensure I do well in Tokyo. I’m really not bothered much with Ethiopians, as a team we will deliver good results."

"The race was good. I just wanted to seal top two...I have no pressure; I will be facing familiar opponents in Tokyo. I am used to fast-paced races and all I am going to do is continue with my training."

"I have been running 10Ks and half marathons, so I have lost speed to defend my 5,000m title...I want to leave it to the younger athletes."

"I tried to be patient and wait for the right time to happen...Today was my time."

"In the middle of the race I had to be patient and had to wait for the right time. I knew I trained well, and today I can say it was my time...Moving from track to the road racing was a big challenge for me. In track there was not a lot of mileage."

"In a marathon, anything can happen."

"With a year of marathon experience now under my belt, a win in Boston, and my move to the U.S., I’m coming to New York this year (2023) with more confidence and in search of a title...I’m excited to show the people of New York what I’m capable of and that my win at the United Airlines NYC Half in March was just the beginning."

"It is all about focus. The training for 1500m and 5000m is different, you do more because the distance is longer, you basically change everything in training."

"What came to my mind in New York was to finish the race so I can learn how to do my next marathon...So it helped me a lot to learn about patience. In New York I didn’t know about patience, I ran it like it was a track race."

"I said in my mind let me try to be patient. When were at about 25k, I said ‘patient’. And when I reached 42km, I said, ‘no, I want to win this race.’ And I said, ‘can I just use track speed to go?"

"You know, now you are saying you are not alone...There’s someone who depends on me. My daughter needs to go to school, needs to have a good background, a good life. So you have to work hard because someone is looking up to you."

"It’s encouraged me a lot to work hard because it’s a new life, it’s a new environment...I said, let me try to win because I asked you [to come] here. No excuses, I must perform. So I think they encouraged me a lot to train and to focus well."

"I do hope that next year (2024) is going to be good for me because I’ve done a lot and I’ve won the silver medal...So I want to upgrade it to gold."

"You can’t be like Eliud if you want to sit down and you say, ‘I want to be like Eliud Kipchoge’. Eliud Kipchoge does not sit down and wait to go and win races!"

"I'm really excited as they (Hellen Obiri, Peres Jepchirchir, Brigid Kosgei are my friends...It only makes the competition more fun when it’s that stacked. I'm excited to compare myself with all those women."

"I was so disappointed that I couldn’t defend my title in New York last year (2022) due to an injury, and winning again in Central Park has been my main motivation as I begin my preparations for the autumn...New York is an important step in defending my Olympic gold medal next summer in Paris, and I will do my best to make my family and my country proud."

"I was thinking to run maybe 1:04:50, but I'm so happy...it's difficult to run alone. If I had a pacemaker I would run 64 (minutes)."

"I am not worried about the course, as I have had success in hilly marathons before, but New York has always been about head-to-head competition...I know I must be in the best possible shape to compete with the other women in the race."

"I was not expecting to run a record time. I just tried my best – that was all...Today was great preparation for Chicago."

"My focus is to defend my Olympic title in Tokyo...It was a really good race here (Kasarani Stadium near Nairobi), which I really wanted to win. I know I will meet many good athletes in Tokyo but I have prepared really well."

"I was really looking forward to defending my title, and I had a dream. Amazing to me, I completed it. I'm so, so happy," she told reporters. "I managed to make history. I've done it.""

"I didn't know I would come out strong today, after what I went through over the 5,000," Kipyegon said. "I didn't sleep until yesterday.""

"How I started athletics was like magic or something. I started when I was in primary school, back at home, where I used to do training in the school"

"I used to play football, gymnastics. After that we got a teacher [who] introduced us to running. I started running and knowing that athletics might [get] me somewhere"

"I have been performing for many years and getting the gold medals"

"I want to do my best and motivate the young girls and young women to know that Faith has come a long way, and she’s still performing at the Olympic level and getting these medals, especially the gold medal."

"I won my first gold medal as a mum, after coming back from maternity leave. I was running with experience and at the same time [for] people back at home, especially my daughter. [Motherhood] changed me a lot, mentally."

"Many people benefited from that gold medal"

"My village got electricity after that"

"It’s the love of the sport. Wanting to inspire the young generation and the young girls around the world, that you can also take athletics as a profession. Going out there running early in the morning and going to camps, staying there, from Monday to Saturday"

"Because we as athletes take what we have given by God [as] our talent. To inspire the young generation and upcoming athletes to know that if you take it seriously, it can put you on another level in the world."

"If you have that pain, it's success"

"The dream is just to get that gold medal…bring that gold medal home"

"If you are in training, and you don't feel pain, next thing you are going to a race, and you don’t perform good. But if you have that pain, it's a success. So, you feel pain today, I think it will be a successful tomorrow to achieve what you have been feeling pain [for]."

"I want to do this for my country. I want to do this for myself. I want to do this for the next young girl to know that if a young girl can win a gold medal, why not us"

"I didn’t expect to win...The [race] was tactical. I didn’t have many races but my preparations [were] uninterrupted. My wish is to ensure we work as a team in Tokyo to ensure we deliver podium finishes."

"It was a very competitive race with strong runners...the course was very good and the weather was perfect for running. I am going back to Kenya to prepare the track season. My goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in the 10,000m."

"“These economies are heavily indebted in terms of the pipelines and refineries that have been developed to exploit those resources.”"

"This infrastructure will now need to be written down in value over a much shorter period or abandoned altogether."

"“The question is how do we work with the private sector to recover the necessary financing and diversify the economy?”"

"“Can we reuse some of the technologies we use for other economic activities to recoup some of the investment already made in economies dependent on fossil fuels?”"

"I dedicate this award to my colleagues in the Health sector, who work selflessly and with dedication in their service to Kenyans. Further, I dedicate this award to the 100,000 Community Health Promoters who anchor the Universal Health Coverage agenda at the grassroots."

"I began at the very bottom which was dispensing drugs at the chemist, I then moved to the hospital setting still behind the window dispensing. My last position as a pharmacist was at AAR Kisumu where I was in charge."

"I am cognizant of the sensitivity of this ministry; it is a matter of life and death. Matters of health touches on every Kenyan."

"To start us off the journey, we have two key pillars. The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) will ensure the security of commodities to drive health care while the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will deal with the financing bit, ensuring that money to take care of Kenyans' health is available. We are doing a lot of reforms in the two institutions to realign our goals."

"NHIF is not meant to be competing for private insurance, which is what is happening now because of the many enhanced schemes. We are refocusing this and concentrating on the hustlers and the poor. We are introducing a national social security scheme which takes care of everybody and for Kenyans who can afford private insurance to pay for it."

"She said the youth and leaders of today ought to to be selfless and Prioritise the interests of the country, for Kenya to realise much more growth and development."

"“We come from a continent of immense greatness and it is our time as the youths to address and find solutions to the issue of unemployment by going into new and innovative fields.”"

"“They say give a man a fish, and feed him for one day, show him how to fish and feed him for a lifetime. I believe this exemplifies what we at Kenyatta Trust are attempting to achieve, by creating a new generation of young individuals with a progressive mind-set to fill the necessities of this ever altering world,”"

"“Every student needs quality education”"

"I leave with mixed feelings on one hand with a sense of pride and satisfaction from the work we have been able to do together but again with an overwhelming sense of loss because through this council we have developed and cultivated deep personal connections with many of you."

"I am proud of my country. I have always wanted to represent my country since I was a junior athlete and if offered the opportunity to run at the Olympic Games, I will do my level best to make the country proud."

"We kind of expect that from America and we accept it from America."

"But it's not necessarily the way we live our lives. For me it'd be very much, go out there, do it, look at this story, it's very inspirational, there's something to be learnt, if you want to help, yes you can, but it's about to that level. We haven't got to a place of being comfortable in that zone after twenty-five years, no."

"Just be the best you that you can be, and like Mandela, leave a legacy that posterity will be proud to associate with."

"Everyone will not be a freedom fighter or a world leader like Madiba; everyone will not be a bestselling author like Chinua Achebe; you may not even found a faith-based Media Company like Paul Crouch or be a terrific actor like America’s Paul Walker, and you should not try to be anybody else or fit into shoes that were not built for you to wear."

"When you are the ‘middle-child’ you are in the shadow of the older siblings and yet you cannot be molly-coddled either. You can ‘disappear’, when the older ones are in trouble for some misdemeanour. If you are smart, you learn from that, which I did. Another benefit is being able to quietly carve your own path, explore your own likes and dislikes out of the glare of others"

"My daughter Kaya, is an Aries who puts a fire up my Capricorn earth sign. She gets me cracking and keeps me on my toes. She is expressive in a way that I have had to learn over time. She is girly, again in a way that I never was. I used to equate girly with being prissy but that has changed somewhat given the circumstances"

"I am pretty hands on when it comes to parenting. The sense of responsibility and deep love it awakens and gives me is not something that can be compared to any other relationship"

"I did not spend a night away from home until Kaya was five years old, not because she asked, but because I just could not bring myself to it, I suppose. I am much better about it now but I do not necessarily think about maintaining a balance as such. I ensure that when I am home with her, I am not only physically but also mentally present with her so that we can engage from that base. Besides, I generally work from home so that helps a lot"

"As Kenya moves towards universal health coverage, private hospitals play a crucial role in expanding access to quality care."

"My job is to just bring sanity to the protection of our natural heritage."

"My purpose is not just to be a scientist, my purpose is really to do conservation through education, through innovation, through storytelling. As a conservation scientist, you’re only producing scientific articles that are only read by other scientists. But when you are on National Geographic or Disney, that inspires people and educates them to care about nature."

"What we know about elephants today is incredible,They are like people."

"If we’re going to do conservation in Africa, we have to be audacious. We’ve got to be courageous, and we’ve got to think big."

"We are losing our national heritage not to poverty, but to ignorance and greed. Our elephants, our rhinos, they don't belong to the government or to NGOs—they belong to the people of Kenya. We must become their guardians."

"For too long, conservation has been seen as a mzungu (white person's) thing. It's not. This is our land, our wildlife, and our story to tell. We must be at the forefront of protecting it."

"We are in a crisis. We are losing species not in the future, but right now. We are the last generation that can save these animals. There is no plan B because there is no planet B."

"We have to tell stories that make people fall in love with wildlife. You don't protect what you don't love, and you can't love what you don't know. That's why we make 'Wildlife Warriors'—to show the beauty and the drama of our natural world."

"If David Attenborough is the global voice of wildlife, then Paula Kahumbu is his fiercely passionate, Kenyan counterpart—a force of nature who has dedicated her life to saving her country's iconic animals."

"Paula has achieved something many thought impossible: she has made conservation a mainstream, national conversation in Kenya. She has given it a Kenyan face and a Kenyan voice, inspiring a whole new generation."

"Kahumbu does not suffer fools gladly. She is a formidable and fearless advocate, known for speaking truth to power, whether confronting poaching syndicates or challenging government policies that fail wildlife."

"A home without daughters is like a spring without a source"

"Her therapy was simple for there is no greater psychologist than the one who graduates from the hard school of life."

"How can you know where you are going if you do not know where you are coming from?"

"You may be twice my size, but I have three times your courage"

"Bitterness is poison to the spirit for it breeds nothing but vipers some of which might consume your very self. Pain and sorrow all humans feel; but bitterness drops on the spirit like aloes—causing it to wither."

"All the fears of her childhood were coming back. There was a vice-like band around her head and she thought she would faint. In her head one thought went round and round, beating its wings like a trapped bird. “My child - not you, not you!"

"Though she was very wise, one could hardly say that she had been born in the wrong era; that had she lived in a different era, she would have been a great intellectual, a pioneer and a leader of humanity. In truth, such clarity of vision and strength of person are a discomfiture to all men of all ages and she would therefore never have really fitted in that, this or any other century; for human beings prefer to be left alone to muddle along in confusion—it is more comfortable than to suffer the pain of self knowledge."

"The women’s halls of residence, ‘the Box’ as it was known, was the hunting ground for all and sundry, and big cars were very evident especially on Saturdays when well dressed, well-to-do men descended upon the place. It was the thing to have a girl friend on campus…there were two categories of girls—the fast-moving "Mercedes" types and the "clipboards."

"He’d better be careful; I hear there is a disease called AIDS waiting to pounce on any careless person these days"

"I have heard rumours also; but most say it is just Western propaganda. Anyway you doctors can do miracles these days. A mere VD cannot elude a cure for too long."

"You must realize that little irritations become more glaring, when there is that basic difference…I can’t imagine anything more annoying than their talking to their son, and your children, in a language you cannot understand. It makes you even more of an outsider than you are already."

"The girl Markham was left to run wild with Kipsigis boys, wearing a cowrie shell on a leather thong around her wrist to ward off evil spirits. She ate with her hands, her first language was Swahili, and she could hurl a spear […] Markham practically grew up in the saddle; she told a friend that she felt better on a horse than on her feet."

"Always the weed returns; the cultured plant retreats before it. Racial purity, true aristocracy, devolve not from edict, nor from rote, but from the preservation of kinship with the elemental forces and purposes of life whose understanding is not further beyond the mind of a Native shepherd than beyond the cultured fumblings of a mortar-board intelligence."

"So far as I know I was the only professional woman pilot in Africa at that time period I had no freelance competition in Kenya, man or woman."

"Moreover, it seemed that the printers of the African maps had a slightly malicious habit of including, in large letters, the names of town, junctions, and villages which, while most of them did exist in fact, as a group of thatched huts may exist or a water hole, they were usually so inconsequential as completely to escape discovery from the cockpit."

"Why I ran at all or with what purpose in mind is beyond my answering, but when I had no specific destination I always ran as fast as I could in the hope of finding one--and I always found one."

"And when the small tin lamp that went off most of the times when i was almost finishing my homework, i started dreaming of my own light. I dreamt of having electricity in future and i forgot all the reasons why something should not work and found on reason why it should."

"Always go with the choice that always scares you because that is the choice that requires most from you"

"One step at a time, I believe we can make progress. It starts with a conversation."

"Let us have a real conversation now. Each day, we can focus on winning one mother, one sister, one father, one brother. Together, we will save not just one girl, but whole generations to come."

"“We have chosen to touch the cloak of Jesus and to hear his voice calling us to arise! We have chosen to participate fully in God’s mission and to name the missing links in African theology, mission, and life”."

"Many of the issues we are addressing today, the key drivers of HIV such as violence, the cultural aspects, the misinterpretation of scriptures have all been part of the discussions of African women theologians."

"Our goal is to have HIV-competent churches and theological institutions."

"Looking back I see that my ministry has been shaped by the dynamics of HIV, especially in the African context, As an African it has a personal angle to it. I stopped counting the number of people in the extended family we have lost."

"It was very obvious that the most affected on the continent were women, both as care providers and because we are on the receiving end, The majority of those who are HIV-positive are women. So we couldn’t ignore asking why there is a gender imbalance."

"We have gone through stages. When we started, it was the issue of gender, We have come a long way. I think it is accepted that this is an issue we must deal with … Now homosexuality has become part of the issues, and this is not an area we can avoid."

"I would love to get married because I want to share my life with someone, not because society says that I should. But if I don't get married, that is my cross to bear, not society's.""

"Be truthful to yourself is the greatest gift you can give to yourself."

"It is understandable that life can turn to worst, but it is important to be honest with yourself and seek help"

"In this world there are black, white and grey. There are people who would push all kinds of stories."

"So long as you know that deep down it is not your truth it should not bother you"

"You don't know about the marriage until you walk on it"

"Go at your pace, marriage is not for everyone, children are not for everyone."

"The kind of leaders we have today are not sensitive. Stop exploiting the poor and the hungry. You misuse them during hunger, you misuse them during campaigns. Leave them alone."

"Most importantly, I challenge women to aggressively seek leadership positions – I mean aggressively and I repeat aggressively."

"Mama Lucy Kibaki was different, she spoke her mind freely and honestly and never allowed herself to be held hostage to what society or people wanted her to be."

"Society, sadly, made me feel that to be professionally successful, I had to be unattached. A pregnant or breastfeeding professional looked untidy."

"I recommend to employers to give space to families in their organisations. Let us hang photos of our loved ones in the offices as they energise us and we feel that our employer cares."

"Her professional stature never overshadowed her role as a devoted wife and mother. Judy loved deeply, and family was her everything. Her love extended far beyond our home, and she gave generously to others,” Gikandi said"

"Her leadership was instrumental in positioning FIDA-Kenya as a formidable force in using the law to protect the rights, interests, and dignity of vulnerable women, children and the family well-being. Ms. Thongori personified the promise of the law as a tool for empowerment. Her pivotal contributions to advocacy, family law reform, and shaping legal practice at the Family Division of the High Court profoundly impacted the development of family law in Kenya and inspired a generation of legal professionals;Chief Justice Martha Koome"

"Her commitment to sharing knowledge and mentoring young advocates, CJ Koome says, further underscored her dedication to advancing the legal profession"

"Her insights and expertise were evident even in recent times. Just last November, during the Supreme Court @ 12 Conference, Ms. Thongori enriched a panel discussion on emerging family law jurisprudence emanating from the Supreme Court of Kenya. Her contributions to the legal discourse, particularly in family law and human rights, leave behind a lasting and transformative legacy;Chief Justice Martha Koome"

"Ms Thongori has been something of the ultimate inspiration. She combined the skills of a lawyer, writer and activism to pursue impactful change and curve her place in Kenya and beyond. She had the courage to fight in courts and the streets for those targeted for fighting for a better country. Judy is part of a generation that sought to provide light to the cause of justice when the night was pitch dark, who kept pressing no matter the odds on the path and who became living testimony that resilience and courage bring rewards. We wish her well in her next journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends to whom she has bequeathed a sound and honorable legacy;Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga"

"One of my best friends in Mombasa was HIV positive in the late 90’s. In 2000 she met a German man in Malindi who was HIV negative and they fell in love. As we shared all our secrets, she confided in me how hard it was revealing her status to him. They had safe sex for months, but eventually she told him and they still got married. Unfortunately she passed on a couple of years ago. Their love became my inspiration for Crucible."

"I got interested in this genre coz in the early and late 90’s in Mombasa and in my travels across the country, I realized that once a girl was infected with HIV/AIDS, most of the parents blamed men, thinking their daughter was the innocent victim. I thus decided to explore this and reversed the status. So in Crucible it is the lady protagonist Lavina who is HIV positive while the main male character Giorgio is HIV negative"

"I am an avid reader and for my research for Crucible, I read ALL novels published in Kenya on HIV/AIDS and gave them out to young ladies. Interestingly most took weeks to progress past the 3rd chapter and some didn’t finish reading the novels. I asked them their reason and they said that they didn’t identify with the characters. Yet when I gave them the first 5 chapters of Crucible, they got back to me in two days time demanding for the rest of the manuscript. I knew I was on the right track and finished writing the book."

"Like most writers, I usually hold a day job mostly 8-5pm. If in between jobs, I offer proof-reading and copy-editing services for raw manuscripts and also carry out transcriptions and translations."

"The hardest part is making time for my writing, given the above scenario. This calls for immense discipline like cutting down on my social life – that means no partying!! Sacrificing my sleep on most nights to write and type. No outings on weekends!!"

"To me literature is the truth and I am thus able to give a human face o stereotyped and marginalized groups of people. My writing is also a form of self-therapy as I have passed through most of the situations I write about. Also writing is extremely exciting as it is to place time and place in chains."

"My next novel is titled ‘Shifting Sands’ – it is about Kemunto or Kemu as her 3 girlfriends call her. Shifting Sands is about a young African lady growing up and coming of age. Her tribulations and triumphs. It will be published mid this year."

"Aspiring writers need to read other authors extensively. I also practice what I have come to call for myself the 4 Cs and 3 Ps – Constant revision, Creativity, Consistency & Constructive criticism / Perseverance, Persistence and Patience."

"My favorite authors are Indian and Arabic/Mid Eastern. Because of their descriptive style and the way they have a way with making words so colorful and turn the words into their very own language. I guess I am also biased towards their writing because I grew up and schooled in the coastal port city of Mombasa whose inhabitants are predominantly Indian/Swahili/Muslim-Arabic. There is some influencing force about a coastal culture. On top of my Christianity, I would fast on Ramadhan, celebrate Diwali, have Muslim and Indian friends for sleepovers at our place and cook a wicked chicken biryani and mutton pilau!"

"WHAT AILS KENYAN WRITING? Kenyan writers need to stop being so timid and safe as if nothing cutting-edge ever happens to us. We need to be more bold the way our musicians are doing their own thing. We might blame local publishers who I know overly concentrate on the school text book market, but if as a writer you believe"

"Giorgio thought that a sojourn to Kenya's coast was the perfect way to kick back and relax, luxuriate in the sun, scuba-dive, take big-game fishing trips or a dhow cruise, but it turns out to be a break filled with mixed fortunes. On the other hand, Lavina's sabbatical for soul-searching in Malindi turns out to be a Herculean task of grappling with a moral dilemma of epic proportions. When their paths cross and their lives become intertwined, their emotionally charged struggle to connect with each other is challenging and turbulent. This story deals with various socio-economic issues ranging from the institution of marriage and multi-racial relationships, to amazing Kenyan art & culture, to historical land injustices brought about by the pre-nineteenth century, 99 year old colonial crown land leases, absentee landlords, and the long overdue land reform agenda on land tenures, the cause of many a conflict in the country. The first scene opens on the Kenyan coast with captivating miles of pristine sandy white beaches, lapped by clear turquoise waters, providing the backdrop for your typical tropical beach holiday, but gets marred with a near-tragedy. Here is a compelling and descriptive narrative that will pull at your heartstrings, but one that offers a message of hope to a moral dilemma that has bedeviled the world. Here is what others say about this From an an author clearly proud of her heritage and the beauty of her country comes a romantic tale set in Kenya. Featuring a jaw-achingly handsome Italian man and a beautiful, talented, but troubled local girl, the romance unfolds in a light teasing manner until the twist in the tale turns out to be a moral dilemma that would test the strength of any relationship."

"Interview with Moraa Gitaa, the author of ‘Crucible for Silver and Furnace for Gold’"

"Crucible for Silver and Furnace for Gold"

"Interpretation of Scripture occurs within one’s worldview and culture, which enhances our understanding and ability to apply Scripture in the world. However, few books address Bible interpretation from an African perspective and no other textbook uses the intercultural approach found here. This book brings both an awareness of how one’s African context gives a lens to hermeneutics, but also how to interpret texts with integrity despite our cultural influences."

"The African women conceived the idea of the Womens Peace Train from Kampala to Johannesburg during the Second Preparatory Committee of the United Nations World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD). The objective of the Womens Peace Train (WPT) was to pass on a strong message to the continent leaders, war mongers, armies, guerrillas, arms traders, and dealers in the African continent that women wanted peace and stability for their children. In its ten-day journey across seven countries, the Peace Train called upon the ringleaders and perpetrators of wars in Africa to end them forthwith. Arguing that women in Africa bear the brunt of the war burden, African women saw the WSSD as a good opportunity to campaign for the end of these wars and used the peace train to pass on the peace message."

"Aid Evaporation is a new Nortion. It is based on an academic study that comprehensively examined how ODA is governed from the source to the destination. Key ODA parameters emerged from the existing ODA governance frameworks namely; mechanism, ideology, development approach and processes. By unpacking elements contributing to aid ineffectiveness through these parameters, exploring the existence of the aid evaporation and examining the key enablers of ODA Evaporatoon, the study discovered supply side factors contributed significantly to Aid ineffectiveness. It exposed different AID Evaporation enablers which play different hidden functions such as ODA Door Openers, Appetixers, Softeners, Sponges, Convertors, Controllers, Distorters as well as Carrot and Stick among others. Key findings revealed that the prevailing perception that aid ineffectiveness was a demand side problem was only part of the story because supply side challenges were probably more responsible for billions of ODA that could not be accounted for. It has recommended the re-writing of the narrative that ODA ineffectiveness is predominantly premised on demand side by incorporating supply side factors. Findings demonstrated that while there were indeed demand side challenges such as bad governance, corruption and lack of strong institutions, there were also supply (donor) side challenges such as over-reliance of donor's own inefficient ODA governance frameworks as well as ODA delivery mechanisms, the entrenchment of bilateral interest in ODA processess and geo- political interests among other factors. In this regard, the study confirmed that the 62% of the ODA that could not be accounted for according to existing literature was either held up in the pipeline or evaporates mostly from the supply side. This finding brought clarity on the weak impact of ODA and corroborated with existing literature on the mystery of unaccounted ODA. While the notion of aid evaporation emerged as an attribution and part of a reflection on the problem of ODA dissipation at the preliminary stage of the literature review, it became the central issue of focus throughout the research investigation which involved substantive field work to bring clarity on the problem. The study has made theoretical and practical contributions to the existing concepts on ODA governance and proposed a new concept, namely the “Supply Baggage Concept”. The new concept should inform the Post Paris era in achieving Aid effectiveness by weding out Evaporation, using the Aid Evaporation Detection Framework proposed in this book"

"If you are strictly into African sounds like Rhumba and Bongo, you might be disappointed but if you are open to different sounds and musical experimentation, then maybe you'll find it interesting."

"I leave it to the audience to define my style. I try out different sounds but the message is gospel."

"Many people listen to their pastors but they have never read the bible for themselves. In Africa, we have one of the most uneducated Pastorate."

"We need to be really anchored by Psalms and Hymns so that we can produce spiritual songs."

"They said 'that's not a profession for women, But I was determined to make a difference in my life"

"I can’t believe it! At last, at long last, I have won it."

"I did not win a medal here but I’m very happy to have helped my teammate get gold. We planned to wear them down during the race instead of waiting to kick at the finish where they beat us. Linet is stronger at finishing and that is why I accepted to do all the pacing especially when our teammate Florence (Kiplagat) dropped injured and God made our plan work."

"I would still have given it my best go if Masai was here. Sure, it would have made the race more challenging but this victory was not easy as it looks since we had to compete against bad weather."

"Yes, at last, at long last, I have it. I have been through so much pain but God has worked his miracle. This shows if you keep knocking and believing, the door will eventually open."

"I dedicate this to my family since they have been praying so hard for this day. I’m glad to be home so I can celebrate with them."

"I was born in Kenya, but spent my early life in Manyara National Park, Tanzania, where my father was doing his pioneering research on the social behaviour of wild African elephants. We lived in a series of small rondavels on the banks of the Ndala river, at the foot of a forested escarpment with a waterfall cascading down the cliffs about 100 metres from Camp. I remember splashing in rock pools close to elephants drinking in the river, and bumping into buffalo as we made our way back to our rooms at night. There was a magical place called the Ground Water Forest into which the elephants would disappear for long periods, where natural springs from the Ngorongoro mountain catchment gushed out of the rocks – we’d often stop there to pick fresh watercress in a stream at the end of a day, or climb into the vines wishing we could get higher like the monkeys. We had two little orphaned genet cats and a banded mongoose as pets that my mother had raised by hand, which I think were probably the first great loves of my life.. Speaking of her background."

"Both family and friends come to visit every now and then. We’re used to a long-distant social life in Kenya as everyone lives miles apart, so you tend to stay overnight if you go to visit someone. That being said our lives are full of social interaction in Samburu, with many people coming through Camp both from abroad and from the local nomadic communities. . Speaking of family and friends."

"Well firstly, I would urge parents (all adults in fact) to see a film called Racing Extinction. It’s a few years old but it’s a good place to start. Then I’d encourage these same grown-ups to read Half Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life by E.O. Wilson. With these under their belt, they’ll be in a great place to start thinking about how to explain the situation to their kids. In my opinion, our understanding of our place in the world needs to be firmly grounded in Science, especially biology. I am often astounded by the disconnect in people’s minds between their day to day life and our absolute reliance on the natural world. Unfortunately we seem increasingly trapped in a culture of rogue materialism that is bankrupting our planet. We simply cannot continue with the business as usual model when it comes to consumption. There also needs to be much more accountability and transparency in how things are procured and produced, their long term environmental impact and pollution. I’ve often felt that too many academic disciplines – especially at tertiary level – are taught in isolation, and Economics is a prime example. So broadening the education system to prioritise environment is critical. In the end, there is one overriding cause that unites us all, the health of our biosphere which underpins the very fabric of life on which we all depend for our survival. We live on a finite planet, a fact that we ignore at our peril. Turning things around should be our number one priority."

"YES! We all need to cut our consumption and be much more aware of where things come from and the impact this has on the natural world. One should NEVER buy wildlife products. One must always check the labels for things like palm oil (in all its hidden forms), stay informed and help where one can by joining hands with effective conservation. https://berkshirewoman.com/?p=1945. Her advice to consumers."

"I am a great believer in the power of the individual to make change, and this applies as much to how we travel or spend our money as to the way we bring up our children. After all, one can only lead by example. In my view, this means always asking the best of oneself – standing by one’s principles, speaking up when others are silent, or reining in one’s sense of entitlement. So I’d ask everyone to start taking small steps, every day, that favour the environment. Join hands with us. Together, we become a powerful force for change."

"Gestating a book is like waiting for a Camembert to mature. There’s definitely something large and unwritten inside me, but the ooze hasn’t started yet. Like any busy mum, I struggle to set enough quiet time aside in the day to focus. Even finding time to answer your questions has been a challenge! On top of mothering and a full time job, life in north Kenya can be somewhat left field and unpredictable. We’ve chosen an unusual route out of principle, and so unusual stuff happens on a daily basis. I think it will make for some good stories. So, yes, there’s a book coming, that I can confirm 100%."

"The most important thing that happens when you become a parent is that you stop being the centre of your own universe. And it’s such a relief! I also didn’t know that I would have the capacity to love so much, and that you love each child in a completely different way. It’s been the greatest adventure having kids. I would like my daughters to follow their hearts and do what they really believe in. I hope that through their upbringing they will care for the same things that I do – and I’m glad to say that I see the signs already in my eldest child – but they must choose their own paths."

"Elephants are special because they are highly intelligent, sentient creatures that share much in common with us. They are self-aware, feel complex emotions like empathy and compassion, and even have a sense of their own mortality, all of which suggests a kind of consciousness that is similar to our own. They are sensitive, loving, and humorous, and at times real drama queens, but on the whole are always doing something interesting in relation to one other. What appeals to me most is that they are social, immersed in a web of complex relationships. The more you get to know them as individuals, the more you understand that each elephant has its own unique personality and character, is defined by its life experiences, and relies heavily on the elephants it knows for love and support. All of which is very similar to humans."

"Right now, we need people to come to Kenya urgently to show their love and concern for wildlife by visiting the protected areas and national parks. Eco-tourism brings desperately needed funds to wildlife areas which helps keep conservation efforts going. Without tourist dollars conservancies find it hard to support the people who’ve given their land over to wildlife, and national parks and protected areas struggle to pay salaries or put fuel in anti-poaching vehicles, so the wildlife suffers as a result. Kenya is actually a very safe country. I live here with my children. And when you visit as a tourist you are looked after from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. So come to Kenya! Come see the elephants of Samburu and stay with us at Elephant Watch!"

"In 2015, just before the World Championships in Beijing and I was honest with myself, I was getting old. I told myself, ‘Janeth, you do Beijing, and then it is time to step out of track"

"So when I transitioned out of that track, I moved into coaching immediately"

"I always felt like what he did to my life from hurdling to being a 800m star was amazing. And I also always wanted to start with an athlete from zero. By identifying a talent and giving an opportunity to young people to experience the sport"

"I never got discouraged or felt shy, knowing that in Kenya we have more men as coaches and very few or no women coaches"

"Coaching is enjoyable and life changing. I think when you have more female coaches, the sport also changes positively. And we don’t all have to be [technical] coaches, there are so many spheres of coaching like mental, safeguarding"

"I see more women coming up, and it’s encouraging to see more federations enrolling the services of female coaches compared to my time when I was an athlete. There's a big difference in how we female coaches handle athletes. When you have more female coaches, you also have people who safeguard athletes from abuse. Sometimes we assume the roles of mothers, and when a mother sits down with their kids, it is sometimes easier for them to speak out"

"I am doing this because of the love I have for running and for the athletes. Running changed my life in a big way. I find great joy in nurturing and guiding young runners and in seeing them begin to excel in their careers as well"

"I don’t ever compromise myself, so every win feels that much more enjoyable"

"You need to be your number one fan! You can’t depend on anyone else to lift you or carry you to your dreams"

"Chess is a game of strategy that involves planning and anticipating your opponent’s moves. That’s how I approach my career"

"You always have to see the bigger picture. I stayed focused because it’s innate in me; it’s how I am, why I love chess, how I grew my social platform and why I’m in it for the long run"

"My manager and team approach my career strategy in the same way, so I’ve surrounded myself with like-minded people who think ahead and put my brand equity first"

"I have moments now and again when it sinks in. I value those, but I know there’s so much work to do and I’m only getting started"

"It’s almost like a dream, but I try not to live in that feeling as I have to work very hard to keep winning."

"It meant a lot to me to see that many people embrace me for who I am. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t embraced and loved myself."

"People always laugh at the fact that I comment on my own videos, but I couldn’t say it more clearly: I’M MY BIGGEST FAN"

"They finally see the magnitude of what my career has become and where it’s going. Having them on board means a lot to me – even though they don’t think I’m funny"

"I initially made my videos to bring joy to myself. I would make them and I'd think, I am so funny! I would watch the videos and just laugh!"

"I wouldn't care if other people found them funny or not. Turns out, the videos have also brought other people joy, and I'm so happy they did"

"I definitely tend to always go with my gut and trust my intuition"

"When you're playing chess, it's all about the long game. And if your opponent is equally as clever as you, you have to be really clever in everything you do. Even if the brand or company approaching you makes it seem like it's something you need or something you want — that's when the end game comes in"

"It's big money, but I know that bigger opportunities are on the way and I'd rather wait than jump on what's coming in right now. So I'm thinking about the long term. It definitely requires patience and hard work, and being consistent and believing in yourself"

"The fact that people told me I couldn't do it — I think that's what drives me so much. Maybe it’s because I'm dark-skinned or I'm African, they say that I can't achieve certain things, and I'm like, okay, we're gonna see about that — and I just go for everything headstrong"

"Chance favors the prepared mind, and opportunity favors the bold. Because I have this opportunity and so many people would say it's luck, but I believe there is a very thin line between luck and opportunity. I feel like there’s also quite a number of people who say, Oh you know, I'm famous now, I'm untouchable. You always need to know where your head is at and I feel like you also need to carry yourself with some type of humility. Being in such a space should humble you — strangers go out of their way to support you, so you should be so incredibly grateful"

"without access to education, it is impossible to make gender equality a reality"

"Achieving gender equality is more than 50-50 representation; it is also about recognizing and respecting women’s rights as human rights, treating women with dignity, offering them equal opportunities to participate fully in the socioeconomic and political development of their individual countries"

"in defending women’s rights, men are actually preserving their own dignity"

"Young people are the future of our communities and for us to thrive socially, economically, and politically, we have to ensure that everyone plays their role effectively. That is not possible without achieving gender equality"

"Gender equality is a prerequisite for making sustainable development a reality. As young people, we have to inform ourselves and passionately advocate and work to address the barriers hindering equality for all"

"It is really important for us as young people to be better equipped with the right knowledge and network so that we can actively engage with policy makers and diverse stakeholders in the pursuit of gender quality"

"Young people have the task to mobilize and decentralize information on why achieving gender equality is a win overall for humanity. Technology has made it very easy for us to advocate both offline and online, share best practices and form synergies across continents"

"The recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals are actually our objectives as young people and we can no longer be sidelined in the discussions around execution and implementation because we are the ones who are going to live through them"

"I see more young people equipping themselves with the right kind of information. This is critical as it allows us to both be impactful in our advocacy and to be taken seriously"

"To achieve prosperity, everyone has to have a seat at the table when decisions are made. And there is no more important voice as that of youth. From unemployment to poverty to child marriage to violence, just to mention a few, we are the ones on the ground grappling with these issues"

"We young people of today are innovative, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented. But for us to be better advocates, we also need support from all stakeholders to ensure quality education and healthcare, civic empowerment, and peace"

"Civilians should never pay the price of a conflict for which they bear no responsibility. Their most basic rights must be protected and preserved, and their humanitarian needs must be met."

"It is essential that all efforts are put in place for communities to co-exist peacefully and for all grievances to be addressed constructively and peacefully, as much in the region itself as in all the countries and regions where the ongoing hostilities continue having an impact."

"Accountability constitutes an essential prerequisite for prevention and must be prioritized as such."

"In many ways Kenya is a model example of community social welfare. It's a community keyed to the extended family, in which each generation helps the other."

"A problem concerning a child is dealt with in the context of its family, never just on its own."

"The world has learned the hard way that no one entity, including governments or the UN, can be expected to solve global crises alone. And these ongoing crises have also taught us that businesses cannot act independently of their environments."

"Sustainability can't be dealt with from a singular perspective...“Corporations are in a difficult space now, because sustainability is not just the job of one person or team. It’s across departments as well as in the leadership suite. There’s never been a time of more awareness of the issue, and companies are more likely to take on the challenge."

"The health of a mother is the foundation of the entire family. When you save a mother, you save a whole community."

"Change does not start in big offices; it starts at the grassroots, with the people. We must be the change we want to see in our own neighborhoods."

"Even when there are no resources, we cannot give up on our people. We use our voice, our hands, and our hearts to make a difference."

"Catherine was a pillar in this community. Her work in public health and social justice brought tangible change and saved countless lives."

"She was one of the brave women who stood with me at Freedom Corner. Her courage was a source of strength for all of us during that difficult time."

"Joyce Mbui was a symbol of fearless dedication to human rights and democracy in Kenya. Her sacrifice at Freedom Corner remains a pivotal moment in the nation's struggle for political pluralism."

"She represented the power of ordinary citizens to confront oppressive power. Her story is not just history; it is a lesson in civic courage for every generation."

"When we arrived, Eldoret had only one building, of mud and wattle, which was the bank, post office, and rest house combined. My father built the first shop of wood and iron in the main street for J.H.S. Todd, and they stocked everything needed for farmers. It had a lovely wide verandah back and front, and I always said this building was the start of my interest in architecture."

"Computer Science has often at times been assumed to be a male dominated field and often at times an assumption is made that there is a man behind the scene helping you achieve set goals. This proves to be a challenge because at times I have to keep on justifying myself.Eunice on challenges women face in STEM"

"The empowerment of women and girls in Technology through active participation in STEM.Eunice on her vision and drive"

"Believe in yourself because the most thing is what you perceive of yourself and not what others do of you. If you are a woman out there passionate about technology then go for it. Obstacles might be there but is that not the point of trying .Eunice speaking to women who aspire to have a career in TECH"

"“Our mission is to create a scalable model of mentorship and support that empowers women in STEM to navigate their careers with confidence.""

"It’s never too late to get started in whatever field you choose ..Be in pursuit of whatever it is you are passionate about and with time you will see the fruits of your hard work ."

"You take my dress and give me your trousers. You men are cowards. Our leader is in there. Let's get him."

"In Africa, we bear an inequitable share of perioperative mortality. In my country, Kenya, many hospitals still do not have access to pulse oximetry despite it being an essential device. If you do not have a pulse oximeter, you cannot provide safe surgery for your patient: It’s as simple as that. I am overjoyed to see Smile Train and Lifebox commit to improving pulse oximetry access."

"Being in a mixed science school is the ultimate test of your survival."

"When my first results came, Eighty per cent of the girls had between A and B-. Soon the girls were writing to tell me that though they admired my work, they felt I was destined for bigger things."

"[Urban planning is] an ideal profession for a woman because it builds on her innate capacity for providing an orderly and aesthetic environment for herself, her family and the community in which she lives."

"I believe our chances will greatly improve if we can get six to eight players playing in Europe, South Africa or elsewhere. The exposure of playing abroad is massive, and it will greatly improve our rugby"

"I’m looking forward to playing with some of the top players from not only France but also the rest of the world and sharpening my skills and improving my rugby knowledge"

"We have had memorable battles with them, and we are quite unfortunate to lose against them last year. We have grown as a team and playing in the Challenger has hardened us, and we are looking forward to doing well on home soil"

"I have always found strength through my son, despite my busy schedule I celebrate being a mother and a professional player because it's not easy balancing in between."

"A typical day in my life is when I came back from maternity leave, balancing wasn't a walk in the park because every time I was thinking about my son when I left behind if he was okay or not and I ended up not full concentration in training, traveling days was my worst knowing that am going to leave my son behind for a while that, I use to call back every time but I’m grateful I picked up and got support from his dad"

"I do train age-grade kids, anytime I go for training I usually go with my son and he joins the under 9 years category, and when I have club games I normally go with him as he watches."

"To those mothers in sports, I would say it's never easy raising a family while in sports but never give up doing what you love because you are a mother, let your kids be the motivation towards your goals"

"It is always important to understand one’s audience and market"

"We have failed as a continent to realize the gems we have in our various countries and we unfortunately have allowed ourselves to be “brainwashed” … So for the longest time, we have just been small time players in the fashion industry yet we have the potential to be giants"

"There is dire need for legal education and sensitization in the fashion industry to propel us to greater heights with probabilities of higher success."

"The fashion industry and creative industries generally have managed to thrive for so many years while flourishing in legal ignorance. As such, it has been hard trying to make them see why the law is relevant to them and why they need to have business structures to grow their craft"

"Aside from legal ignorance and lack of use of intellectual property laws as a continent, we are also not trading with each other. Which is largely a fault in policy making and visionary leadership"

"Yet, we can grow the African economies, enhance our intra-African trade opportunities as well as benefit from cross-cultural interaction like we used to during barter trade era. It is what made the African cultures so rich"

"We need to start trading with each other, we need affordable transporting services, we need to have more flexible immigration practices and laws and affordable airfare around to travel across African states"

"We need to embrace the importance of the law for the fashion industry, realize our weaknesses and find solutions. We also need to embrace the business approach to enable the fashion industries to thrive"

"We also need to build strong associations so that the industry speaks with one voice. These associations need to be properly constituted with skilled personnel who have a passion for the industry. They should include lawyers, economists, accountants, marketers etc. Only then shall these associations yield fruit"

"The self-interest route of navigating the industry needs to die a natural death; not only in fashion but in the entertainment industry as a whole"

"We first need to examine the problems and faults that led to their downfall in the first place. We also need to acknowledge the need for research and development for a more vibrant and competitive textile industry. We have the potential to innovate and change the game. Our continent is rich in resources and we need to start exploring these opportunities"

"I'm so excited to have emerged second in my first major marathon. Special thanks go to my husband, who gave me full support and guidance during my preparations because if I was doing it alone, I couldn't have made it"

"When the pacemakers dropped because they were pacing up to 30km, I decided to run my race"

"I had one lady who was running alongside me until the 41km mark, but I decided to make the final push, edged her out, and secured second place"

"While we were lining up, I was scared looking at my fellow elite runners because their personal best times were higher than mine,"

"I asked myself, ‘Will I make it to the podium?’ I decided to run my race, and it worked out well for me"

"If given a chance to represent my country, I will be glad because it’s a global event and prestigious to compete at that level"

"After a break to recover my first training sessions went so well that I really wanted to run another marathon in the autumn. I am in the best shape of my life and did not want to waste it"

"Frankfurt is the perfect race for me. I am really excited to have the chance to come back"

"So far in my training not only am I looking at time but also how I am feeling"

"Mostly I judge myself when we do long intervals on the roads. We run 4km at about 3:30 (per kilometre) pace. Then for one kilometre easier at 4:00 pace. We do that five times. If I finish that feeling like I can continue that’s when I know I am feeling good and ready to go"

"I was very pleased about the result I had - with a very small preparation - for Hamburg, so that result was very good for me. I had a couple of small injuries along the way, so I had to scrap a couple of sessions"

"I want to get a personal best and finish in the top three"

"That is my aim. I want to be in top three. I think 2:23 or 2:22 is within reach"

"I am happy that I improved my personal best from last year"

"At 40 kilometres I saw that I could improve my personal best. I hope to return here next year and improve my record"

"I have big hopes for Venice. Hopefully I will be able to lower my personal best"

"I will now fight for a place in the team to World Cross Country because I feel I am in good form"

"Pick what you are passionate about, read about it online, engage people in the same space and always know that the problem is that challenge you want to solve and it’s not a competition."

"I believe that the only qualification you need to conserve the environment is the fact that you live on this planet."

"I fight to protect the environment and I like to say I chose one master and that’s nature."

"I want to prioritize the climate agenda and have it as the first point of discussion before someone speaks about poverty eradication. I want to ensure we have discussions about how climate change is affecting other spheres, including water shortage or lack of access to clean and safe water, food insecurity, health and more. I believe the environment is at the center of economic development and social issues. I will not rest until these conversations are had in political spaces and the work is done."