Seventeen years ago, I was searching for a place that could offer me more than just a job; I wanted fulfillment, purpose, and a chance to make a difference. That search led me to PSI Kenya, where I joined as the Human Resources Director. What drew me in was the organization’s mission of delivering sustainable health solutions to the community, and the vibrant, passionate team that I knew I wanted to be part of. PS Kenya gave me more than a role; it gave me purpose.
My career journey at PS Kenya has been dynamic and rewarding. I started as HR Director, later transitioning to HR & Operations Director, and most recently serving as People and Culture Director. Each role came with new responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities to serve not just the organization, but also the people who make PS Kenya what it is. What made this journey fulfilling was not just the positions I held, but the chance to work alongside committed colleagues who made the vision of PS Kenya a reality.
Looking back, I am proud of the milestones we achieved together. We automated HR systems to improve efficiency, conducted a comprehensive job evaluation with Deloitte in 2012 that brought fairness and structure to our remuneration, and digitized the performance management process to replace outdated appraisal systems. One of the landmark achievements was developing PS Kenya’s first HR Manual, which we benchmarked with Justice Maureen Onyango, then with FKE, and refined with the Federation of Kenya Employers’ input. Together with the Finance Director, we also introduced cost-cutting initiatives that enabled the organization to save significantly and operate more sustainably. These initiatives strengthened PS Kenya and gave employees the fairness, clarity, and confidence they deserved.
Beyond the systems and processes, I wanted to build a culture where people felt seen and appreciated. That is why we introduced initiatives such as the Wall of Fame, the Employee of the Quarter Award, and a compelling employee value proposition. I still remember traveling to South Africa for Birches Reward Management Training in 2016 and being struck by how the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, conference facilities were fully branded, right down to the individual rooms. Inspired by that experience, I brought the idea back to Kenya, and today, nearly a decade later, our organizational branding continues to be part of our identity.
Of course, the journey was not without challenges. Moving from an international structure to a local organization came with painful moments, including retrenchments in 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Letting go of talented colleagues was never easy, and it was even harder to face the resultant legal battles. But those experiences taught me valuable lessons about due process, empathy in leadership, and the courage to make difficult decisions for the greater good of the organization. They also reinforced my commitment to fairness in recruitment, ensuring balance and inclusivity by sourcing talent from across Kenya rather than relying solely on referrals. You know leadership is not just about tough decisions; it is about making them with humanity.
What gives me the most joy, however, is the impact on people and culture. Watching colleagues grow into leadership positions, seeing teams collaborate seamlessly, and even welcoming back “boomerang staff” who return after gaining outside experience has been incredibly fulfilling. These moments speak volumes about the strength of PS Kenya’s work culture: a culture built on openness, diversity, and inclusion.
My time at PS Kenya has also been enriched by global connections. I fondly recall traveling with the PSI Network to South Africa for the Global HR Network meeting, where I met professionals from across the world. Those interactions blossomed into friendships that I still treasure to this day. Visiting Soweto, Nelson Mandela and Nelly Mandela’s first home, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, a powerful site in Soweto, Johannesburg, dedicated to remembering the events and the victims of the 1976 Soweto Uprising under apartheid, remains one of my most memorable experiences — a moment of reflection that reminded me of the power of resilience and vision. Comparing global operations also gave me perspective: we realized that as PS Kenya, we were not doing badly at all, and that motivated us to keep pushing forward. Friendships built through global connections are treasures that outlast titles.
Personally, this journey has shaped me both as a leader and as an individual. It has taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of creating spaces where people thrive. I remain grateful for the colleagues, partners, and stakeholders who walked this journey with me, and for PS Kenya’s culture of valuing employee input, something that sets it apart from many other organizations I’ve worked with. I would also like to sincerely thank my entire team for the incredible work and support they have consistently provided. Special recognition goes to Lilian Muhoro and the HR Team, Elizabeth Mutisya and the Admin Team, Abere Osebe and the Fleet Team, as well as all the other teams whose contributions have laid a strong foundation for our continued success. Your efforts have made a real difference, and I deeply value the commitment and dedication each of you has shown.
As PS Kenya looks ahead, my advice is simple: stay innovative, remain competitive, and be mindful of the evolving needs of new generations — particularly Gen Z. Embrace technology, especially artificial intelligence, to ensure relevance in a fast-changing world. I am confident that under the leadership of our CEO, Dr. Margaret Njenga, PS Kenya will continue to break new ground and remain a leader in sustainable health solutions.
For me, this is not so much a retirement as it is a reinvention. I often ask myself: What am I retiring from? But more importantly: What am I retiring into? The future is open, and I look forward to mentoring young people, sitting on boards, and offering my expertise to organizations that need professional guidance. I will also continue championing savings through initiatives like KINGA SACCO, because I firmly believe that it’s not what you earn that matters- it is what you do with the little that you earn.
PS Kenya gave me purpose, a place to serve every day, and a chance to lead. If I were to choose again, I would still choose PS Kenya. For that, I remain deeply grateful.
