The initial background research on Elizabeth Mukami Njindo yielded scarce information, painting a picture of someone who might be reserved and terse in conversation. However, these assumptions swiftly crumbled when I connected with Mukami herself—a woman whose words brimmed with fiery passion and unwavering conviction.
“I know you haven’t found much about me online, and that’s because I’ve been on and off social media, and I’ve worked in the same organisation for 18 years,” she disclosed.
“I assume we’re not really going to talk about me, but rather about what I’m passionate about, and right now I’m passionate about women in all their aspects.”
Mukami Njindo is the founder of the Women Empowerment KE UK & Beyond Movement, an initiative rooted in her personal journey. The movement began in 2018, when Mukami lived in Bedford. Feeling isolated in her community and facing significant life changes, she sought connection.
“This group started on WhatsApp as a dinner plan, and we had dinner. Everyone went home. I had to leave to come to Kenya to take care of a personal matter. Since 2018, the group has mostly been on WhatsApp. The reaction was overwhelming, and I knew I had found something, and a passion in me burned to connect all these people again,” Mukami said.
Her belief that “there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come” propelled her to revive the group in 2024, feeling more settled and ready to engage with the community she had envisioned. Hosting a meet-and-greet via Zoom in March, Mukami was met with overwhelming support—300 women attended, confirming the untapped potential of this community.
“I decided to host a meet-and-greet in March via Zoom, and the attendance of 300 made me realise this was a whole community that was not being tapped into,” Mukami recounts. This realisation inspired her to relaunch the Women Empowerment KE UK & Beyond Movement, with a grand brunch event scheduled for Saturday, June 22.
“The tickets to the brunch were sold out within the first two weeks, and that gave me the fuel and the motivation to continue making plans to give women the brunch of a lifetime.”
Mukami emphasizes the importance of this event starting at noon, allowing women to escape their many roles and simply enjoy being themselves.
“The event starts at 12 noon because I want a day where women can be just women and not the many hats they wear of daughter, wife, and mother,” she explains. Her approach to women’s empowerment is holistic and inclusive.
“I know there are many people who have communities in the UK, but the communities are regional, between people of one region. What our community will do differently is that it is a UK-based program, which means everyone who is in the UK is welcome to join and participate.”
Mukami’s passion for empowering women is deeply personal. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family, Mukami witnessed firsthand the challenges women face.
“I love women, and I know what they go through firsthand, having been raised by a single mother. For the most part of growing up, I saw my mother work so hard to give us a good life. I admired her and still admire her. I look up to her as an inspiration and a strong reason why to do this. Women need community and space to hold them down through the journey of life.”
Mukami believes that empowering a woman is empowering an entire generation. The movement she leads does not stop at individual empowerment but extends to families and communities.
“Women are wives and mothers or both. When a wife is empowered, she lives a liberated life, and when she is empowered as a mother, she gets the right resources on how to raise their children and navigate through the tough stages of life.”
Breaking social barriers is another focus of Mukami’s movement. She aims to foster connections beyond immediate communities, bringing together all women across the UK.
“I want a sisterhood in the UK. You see, for example, a single mum could have three children and one of them is sick. She may struggle to find a place to leave the other children because of how the UK social life is constructed. Also, I want a space where people can meet and just have a good time.”
The Women Empowerment KE UK & Beyond Movement's vision is to create a supportive network for Kenyan women and friends across the UK, achieved through 12 key initiatives designed to empower and inspire them to step out of their comfort zones. This vision includes mentorships, networking events, youth engagement, giving back to the community, social gatherings, promoting health and fitness, hosting a book club, encouraging representation and participation in various events, collaboration and sharing of resources, establishing an information hub, providing legal support, and empowering women through sharing experiences. Mukami and her team aim to harness the group's collective knowledge and skills, fostering a self-reliant community.
“Empowering a woman is empowering an entire generation,” she reiterates, emphasizing the movement's long-term impact.
A significant part of the movement is addressing issues often overlooked, such as domestic violence and mental health.
“In the UK, domestic violence is still an issue that is frowned upon and not spoken about enough. However, time has taught me that these issues happen, and people need to know that there are people who can help and give resources to even address mental health.”
The upcoming brunch symbolizes more than just a social event; it represents a supportive community ready to uplift each other. Some women have anonymously donated tickets to ensure financial constraints don’t prevent anyone from attending. This gesture is just one of many that highlights the solidarity and community spirit Mukami is fostering.
“I want to inspire women, especially empty nesters who have raised their children and now have the time and resources to be themselves. We plan to connect them to resources and leads toward investments as well as resources to navigate the changing stages of life.”
Mukami also envisions her movement having Kenyan women on board, one step at a time. When she comes to Kenya in August, she will be hosting a dinner where women will have a safe space to learn, network, and interact.
“Women go through so much in their lives. It is through sharing that they know they are not alone. The event in Kenya will just be a small one and women can bring their families to just have fun,” she says.
Mukami also envisions the movement as a hub of information and support, ensuring women have access to the resources they need. By collaborating with existing community leaders and establishing strong networks, the movement aims to be a beacon of hope and a source of strength for all its members.
Mukami promises a future where every woman can thrive, supported by a strong, interconnected community. The power of women, she believes, is immense, and through this movement, she aims to unlock that potential, one woman at a time.
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