“Why Not Me?”: A Conversation on Women in Engineering for International Women’s Day

What inspired you both to pursue a career in sustainable energy?

Joy: I come from rural Narok County, and I never imagined I’d be diving into the world of sustainable energy. My first dream was actually business. I had envisioned starting a company that would solve all the problems my community faced – problems such as unstable power supply, extreme heat, and unreliable water access for both our cattle and crops. This led to an unreliable supply of yields when my parents farmed, and I would see their frustration.

My plan was very clear: pursue a business course, build something impactful, and create change. But life had other plans, and I went to Strathmore University to start an electrical and electronics engineering course. At the end of the day, my whole goal was just to solve problems, so I thought, ‘Why not join this course about problem-solving?’ I figured I could use the experience I gained to address the issues we were facing from a more technical point of view and then find a way to merge that with business.

Would I have predicted this career shift? No. But would I change anything about it? Absolutely not.

Vallary: I didn’t start off in business like Joy. I always wanted to do engineering! My main original fascination was robotics, and when I got to engineering school, I learned about sustainable energy and the opportunities in it. There has been significant growth in renewable energy in different countries, and I saw an opportunity for career growth. I also saw the challenges people in our communities were facing. I wanted to find solutions to these challenges through innovation.

How has the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge empowered you as female innovators in the field?

Joy: The Challenge has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Previously, as outlined in our concept note, we had identified a problem and an idea on how to solve it, but we didn’t know where to start. The Challenge was the path that connected our problem to our solution: it created a platform for us, provided financial support, and offered guidance. I learned about prototyping, building a business model, and turning a solution into a sustainable project that can attract funding.

As a woman in engineering, doubt sometimes creeps in. You look at a task and think, “This looks overwhelming.” But the Challenge helped break it down into manageable steps. It showed me that nothing is impossible and has shaped me into a leader ready to tackle challenges, break barriers, and make lasting impacts.

Vallary: The Challenge has given us a platform. For example, they facilitated us attending  (the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo), where we were able to exhibit our work. Through that exhibition, we interacted with many people – grantees, attendees, and industry experts – who provided insights on how to improve our product. We are now moving into the next phase of development, which is piloting.

In late November, I had the chance to travel to India for a networking event with fellow female engineers. When I was there, I connected with like-minded people, and these interactions helped us grow further.

How would you like to see your current innovation contributing to clean energy access?

Vallary: Our innovation focuses on water efficiency and food security. While we use clean energy, our main goal is to address food security. We want to maximise the use of limited water resources. Most farmers store water during the rainy season, and we aim to help them extend their planting seasons, ensuring a continuous food supply.

Joy: I’d also like to add that through events such as the recent GOGLA-managed Forum in Nairobi, we’ve interacted with other women building things. Once you see other women actually doing it, you think to yourself, “why not me?” If they can do it, so can we.

The theme of International Women’s Day this year is “Accelerating Action.” Have you faced barriers in STEM, and how have you overcome them?

Joy: As a woman, I’ve learned that we naturally have cycles – times when we’re very active and times when we’re not. Balancing studies, this programme, and other responsibilities was overwhelming at first. I struggled until I learned to work with my natural rhythm instead of against it. That realisation helped my mental well-being and productivity.

Vallary: I agree with Joy. Understanding our productivity cycles helps in planning tasks effectively. Another challenge I have found recently is how people perceive women in engineering. You tell someone you’re in engineering, and they doubt you. Attitudes are improving in general, but it’s a slow process.

What message would you share with young women entering engineering?

Vallary: Find a mentor. It gets lonely, and having guidance helps.

Joy: It’s possible and doable. Support each other, step up, build, and grow. Everything is a journey – keep going. And make friends! Your social network will grow and that can only be a good thing as a young woman in the world of engineering.