What: U.S. Embassy Cultural Attaché Raymond Stephens will deliver opening remarks at the event where Ms. Kathure Mwendia, an alumna of a U.S. government-sponsored Leadership Program, will talk to approximately 100 women and girls, who are aspiring in Leadership and politics.

Ms. Mwenda is currently the Executive Director and Principal Consultant with Solid Solutions, a consulting firm based in Nairobi. Prior to that, she served as the Regional Manager at Oikocredit (East Africa), an international cooperative society based in the Netherlands that supports women entrepreneurship and financial independence. She has gained a lot of experience in the NGO, government, and private sectors. She is nationally recognized as a leader in women empowerment and in NGO management. She serves as a director and Chairperson of the Africa Education Resource Centre (Kenya), sponsoring marginalized girls for secondary education; Amani Communities Africa involved in peace building and conflict resolutions; and Oikocredit East Africa among other social responsibilities.

Why Media Should Attend: The recent Kenyan elections highlighted the role of women in society and their importance in the electoral process and in democratic institutions. This event is an opportunity to discuss in greater depth the role of women in the future of Kenya and issues surrounding how women can become more involved in government, business, and civil society.

Media attending the event should arrive by 8:30 a.m.

For further information, please contact Ms. Fatma Dubow on 0708-285-222 or e-mail: dubowfa@state.gov

Friday, March 22, at 9.00 a.m.

City Council licensing centre

When: Friday, March 22, at 9.00.a.m.