The Global Governing Council of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network has appointed a new Executive body for the Network’s Kenya Chapter, with renowned gender-based violence advocate, Ms. Josephine Ndirias, as President.

With her on the Executive body are Ms. Kitonga Mpeteyian, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine as National Vice President; Muthoni W. Mathenge, Esq., a human rights lawyer as Secretary, also doubling as Treasurer; and Ogembo Phenny, aPan-African advocate, as Media Liaison Officer.

Their appointments, renewable upon the successful completion of a tenure, are for a period of two years each.

Founder and Executive Chairperson of the YAWC Network, Mr. Daniel Osei Tuffuor, in a letter on behalf of the Council, commended the newly appointed Executives and charged them to lead the Chapter to greater glories.

Roles and Responsibilities

As National President for the YAWC Network Kenya Chapter, Ms. Josephine Ndirias is expected to lead the organization at the national level and serve as the organization’s main representative in the country.

Her key responsibilities among other things, will be to lead delegates to the Annual Convocation of the Young African Women Congress and Sub-regional congresses; act as chairperson at all meetings of the Executive Committee and at all other meetings of the Chapter; steer the affairs of the Network with supervision from the Global Secretariat while serving as the link between the Global Secretariat and Chapter members.

As National Vice President, Ms. Kitonga Mpeteyian will assist the President in the day to day running of the Chapter; ensure adequate logistical arrangement for programmes and activities of the Chapter; assume the duties of the President in her absence; and perform other duties as may be assigned her from time to time by the President.

The National Media Liaison Officer, Ogembo Phenny, will also on her part, oversee and report to the Chapter President for the execution of policies related to publicity matters; liaise between the mass media and the Chapter for the publicity of the Network’s activities and issue press releases and other information on behalf of the Chapter, among others.

On her part, the National Secretary/Treasurer, Muthoni W. Mathenge, Esq., will act as the custodian of all files, legal books and documents of the Chapter; record and keep minutes of all meetings; write and dispatch circulars, letters and other correspondences of the Chapter in countersign with the Chapter President.

Doubling as the Treasurer, she will receive and disburse all funds of the Chapter under the discretion of the National Chapter Executive Committee and keep regular accounts and books of the Chapter.

Profile of President

Ms. Josephine Ndirias is the Executive Director for Mukogodo Girls Empowerment Programme (MGEP) a not-for-profit agency into women and girls’ health and rights advocacy.

Before joining social work where she has served in different capacities in the field of girls and women empowerment for over 10 years, she worked with the Ministry of Health in Kenya as a Health Records Officer. 

She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Counselling Psychology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She has a Diplomas in Philosophy; International Human Rights Advocacy; and Health Records Management.

As a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), she believes that ending the phenomenon, together with other cultural vices against women and girls such as early/forced marriages, would highly contribute to girls and women empowerment and the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Vice President Profile

Ms Kitonga Mpeteyian is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.She had her Bachelor’s degree at Chuka University in Kenya.

Secretary/Treasurer Profile

Ms. Muthon W. Mathenge, Esq, is a Practicing Advocate in Kenya, with an interest in human rights, family law, gender and child protection.

She is also the Founding Partner at Muthoni Mathenge & Co Advocates, a Law Firm based in Kenya.

She obtained her degree in Law from Mt. Kenya University School of Law, and later attended the Kenya School of Law for her post Graduate Diploma in Law, leading to her admission into the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

She is currently pursuing an Advanced Women’s rights course at the University of Pretoria and the Professional Certified Secretaries course with KASNEB.

With a strong commitment to justice and equality, she has dedicated her legal career to championing the rights of women, children, and marginalized communities.

Beyond legal representation, she actively engages in pro bono work as a lawyer for NEPHAK Kenya – Laikipia County and Hope Worldwide Laikipia County, where she provides legal aid and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Media Liaison Officer Profile

Ogembo Phenny is a dynamic Pan-African advocate for adolescent girls and young women, championing leadership and addressing critical issues at local, national, regional, and global platforms.

As the President of the Girls and Young Women Movement in Kenya and the youngest Chartered President of Soroptimist International, her passion for empowerment and policy influence earned her a nomination for the Kenyan MashujaaAwards in 2022, recognizing her exceptional contributions to youth advocacy.

Her mission is to empower girls and boys through education, leadership, confidence-building, and debating skills to influence policy and decision-making and is dedicated to addressing key issues such as gender equity and equality, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), climate action, and agribusiness.