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Ebb, Flow, Grow: Birthday Reflections

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For my birthday this year, I have been reflecting deeply on the past twelve months. So much is profoundly different from this time last year—so much so that when I got the opportunity to be in the same physical space as my last birthday, I jumped at it. So, I sit here now, having escaped the cold, wintery Murang’a for a slightly sunnier spot, reflecting on what this birthday is bringing up for me. One overwhelming feeling is gratitude . I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be present and to mark yet another year in this crazy, mad world. What a time to be alive, witnessing so much heartbreak as well as its antidote and expressions of deep compassion. Surviving and thriving these days seems like nothing short of a miracle each waking day. There are many ways I work through my feelings and emotions, each finding a different string and pattern to run with. In some ways, they truly work themselves out through my beadwork. I love the idea of unstringing and putting the beads back tog...
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Why We Must Remember Kenyan Heroes: Remembering SC Phiroze Nowrojee

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Last week, I found myself in the auditorium of the Nairobi National Museum, attending the memorial and celebration of the late Senior Counsel Phiroze Nowrojee. The air thick with a palpable sense of loss, yet interwoven with it was a powerful current of collective memory and profound respect for one of Kenya's true legal heroes.  Tributes flowed, shared stories sparked both laughter and tears, and poignant quotes echoed through the space, collectively painting a vivid picture of Phiroze Nowrojee's remarkable, invaluable, and enduring legacy. He was, without a doubt, a champion of justice and a fervent supporter of creative expression and his influence on Kenya immeasurable. Yet, as I later recounted the memorial of this extraordinary icon to a young Gen Z, I was met with a blank stare. "Who is Phiroze Nowrojee?"  The name didn't ring a bell. Neither did many of the other names I mentioned, names synonymous with Kenya's arduous journey that led us to enjoy the...
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A Legacy of Resistance Stories for a Just and Free Kenya

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I begin this new month mind filled with mixed emotions. The memories of recent protests, the violence, the loss, and the weight of unresolved injustices weigh heavily on the Kenyan spirit.   It is easy to feel adrift. But it is precisely in these times of great tribulation that we must return to the wealth of great stories that remind us of  Kenya's indomitable spirit , our capacity for courage, and our unwavering belief in a freer, more just tomorrow. Today, I want to share the story of someone who grew into a formidable force, leaving an enduring legacy that inspires many to this day. Her determination and work not only shifted the course of history in Kenya but also endured as part and parcel of our present-day resistance struggles for a better life and environment. On dark, cold nights when our spirits are low, we sit around the fire and regale the stories that warm our hearts and restore our resolve. Much like our night dreams, sharing stories often uses symbolic language...
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The Indignity of Access: Are We 'Enough'?

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Let's be frank: the world of international collaboration, particularly for those of us in the Global South, is often a treacherous terrain of indignity. We talk about breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and building global movements, yet for many, the very act of getting there is a humiliating process. Beyond that, even once present, the fight for recognition and genuine participation continues. For too long, I have navigated this experience, enduring all kinds of bureaucratic hoops and often unsubtle microaggressions that come with applying for visas to attend vital meetings and convenings. I have explained over and over again the unique challenges feminists and activists face in simply crossing borders. And while I had resigned to these realities, a recent experience trying to attend a global convening in Europe has propelled me firmly onto the 'enough is enough' bandwagon, echoing the powerful stance of Professor Sylvia Tamale. Professor Tamale, a mentor and b...
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