Women leaders honoured for advancing inclusion at DIAR Awards

Bernadette Loloju , CEO of the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board has been recognised for championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the public sector/HANDOUT

Women leaders from across Kenya’s public and private sectors took centre stage at the 8th Edition of the National Diversity and Inclusion Awards & Recognition (DIAR Awards), held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.

The event celebrated trailblazers championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, recognising their pivotal role in shaping more sustainable and socially cohesive workplaces and communities.

Far from being a routine corporate gala, the ceremony stood as a powerful testament to the transformative leadership of women driving change in some of Kenya’s most critical institutions.

Under the theme “Awarding Inclusion, Equity, Impact & Sustainability,” the awards highlighted leaders who have gone beyond policy frameworks to implement measurable and lasting social impact.

At the forefront of the evening’s winners was Safaricom PLC, which emerged as the Platinum Sponsor and overall top honoree.

The telecommunications giant was celebrated for its deliberate “44-50-50” leadership model, an initiative that has enabled women to occupy 44 percent of senior management roles and constitute half of the total workforce.

This progressive approach has positioned the company as a benchmark for gender parity within corporate Kenya.

Safaricom’s leadership bench further reflects this commitment, with senior executives such as Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Florence Nyokabi, and Esther Masese Waititu playing key roles in redefining the country’s digital and financial ecosystem.

Their contributions, particularly through platforms like M-PESA and the emerging Ziidi investment platform, continue to expand financial inclusion and empower millions of Kenyans.

In the public sector, Bernadette Loloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board, led a remarkable showing by government institutions.

Under her stewardship, the board secured second place among over 100 organisations.

A survivor of female genital mutilation herself, Loloju has driven impactful grassroots initiatives, including the “My Dear Daughter” campaign, which promotes community-led protection of girls. Her efforts have contributed to a significant decline in national FGM prevalence, now estimated at 14.8 percent.

Equally recognized was Jacinta L. Akatsa, CEO of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa. Akatsa has championed gender equity in STEM education, spearheading programs aimed at closing the gender gap in science and technology fields.

Her recent initiative to deploy Starlink connectivity to underserved schools underscores a broader commitment to ensuring equitable access to modern learning tools.

The evening also spotlighted Kenya’s growing reputation as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority earning a place among the Top 10 winners. Represented by Janet Biegon and Veronica Njoroge, Konza City was honored as a “Taifa Laureate” for its vision of building an inclusive and sustainable smart city.

From grassroots education initiatives in Turkana East led by Clare Aregae Ebenyo to executive leadership in Nairobi’s corporate sector, the 2026 DIAR Awards highlighted that when women lead, transformative progress follows.