I’m very confident about it because I don’t think anything you put your mind to is impossible.
Have you ever met someone so young but has achieved a lot, and you wonder how? Maureen Mutai is one of those people. The Broadcast Journalism graduate who currently is the Focal point on youth Council of Governors , has held positions that come with a lot of responsibilities having served as the Kenya Youth Representative to the 73rd and 74th United Nations General Assembly and member of the advisory team on youth matters to H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta through the Youth Program & Liaison office.
We had a chat with her to understand what exactly she does and why she is passionate about advocating and making an impact in the lives of her fellow youth.
Kindly introduce yourself in relation to your current role.
My name is Maureen Chepkoech Mutai. I’m currently serving as the Focal Point on Youth, Council of Governors. My role entails advocating and streamlining of youth matters in the 47 counties.
Share with us a little about your educational background.
Let me first give a disclaimer; my educational background has little to do with what I’m doing now but I apply it where I can.
I studied Broadcast Journalism at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). However, during my career I’ve done Software Development when I was Head of Content at Brandsoft. I was also the Kenya representative to Spinlet, a streaming mobile app based in Tampere, Finland. Through the process I’ve also done events, I was part of the Night of a Thousand Laughs, Naija Night, Ice Prince’s listening party to name a few.
Maureen alogside Pekka Olavi Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finland.
How would you say these past experiences have set you up for success?
I feel like all these skills are interlinked somehow, I can apply them in my current role because the audience I’m addressing, the young people, are into most of the things that I’ve carried out because if it’s not broadcast journalism it is in music production and I’ve done that. It helps me relate better and understand what challenges and expectations they have; it has given me a lot of experience.
For example, we want to have the youth as part of the Devolution Conference where they can be part of the decision-making process and important discussions.
You must have had an interesting career journey so far. Where did it start? And would you say this is your dream job?
First of all, I started as a salesperson at Elton Joe at Sarova Stanley selling jewelry as I waited for my KCSE results. One of the highlights of working there was helping design Jimmy Kibaki’s wife’s ring - a pear-shaped diamond ring. At that point I had already taught myself about special rocks from reading books.
From there I was poached by Trattoria where I worked in Guest Relations handling VIPs like Chris Kirubi and Fred Gumo. But then I quit and registered to join the KIMC. I was paying my own fees which meant working on a double shift. I ended up going to Marketing Africa as an Assistant Event Organizer and interning at KBC. I was balancing between the two jobs.
Later on, I joined M-TECH which dealt in Caller Ring Back Tones. At that time, I was working at a branch of M-Tech called Torrace which dealt with events while M-Tech was more of the mobile subscription side. While at Torrance, I was part of the team that organized Naija Night where we hosted the likes of Ramsey Noah, D’banj and Flava. My work was basically to handle those artists and actors.
I later moved to Spinlet later where I got the opportunity to work with P-Square and 2 Face. When we hosted our first MAMA Awards in Kasarani courtesy of MTV, I was privileged to be part of that team working with Wycliff Jean, Ajuma, Collins Injera and Akon. I then got promoted to work with Grapevine and also got invited to go on tour with Akon, but it never happened.
You were part of the 73rd & 74th United Nations General Assembly 2019 youth delegation in New York. What was the key take away for you as a youth in regard to employment/ entrepreneurship for economic empowerment?
In the 73rd , we launched the Youth Strategy 2030 and it’s also when we designated the President as the Global Champion for the young people’s agenda. This designation was previously given by UNICEF but all the UN agencies are currently involved and is being driven by a vehicle called Generation Unlimited.
I was privileged to be part of the team that helped formulate the Terms of Reference of the President i.e.
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To be the voice of the young people.
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To be the convergence point of all the stakeholders.
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To be a co-creator of solutions for young people.
This was a highlight of the 73rd General Assembly because it gave us the privilege to hold the global championship as a country. It creates avenues for our youth to explore opportunities.
The 2030 strategy is a recognition that the youth have a big role to play in the UN programs. That means that the youth can be involved in the decision making process. We are now hoping to see our ideas as young people being implemented and not just on paper.
Maureen together with a colleague and H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta
‘100,000 SME’s for 1 million Jobs by 2021’ campaign by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD was launched on the side-lines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Being someone who was part of it, what are some of the ways the youth take advantage of opportunities that arise from this campaign?
First is to hold the investors who committed to actualize it accountable. One of our biggest challenges is following up. We also have very good programs such as investors committing to support young people. The young people should know that these opportunities exist and look at the various social media pages and other online resources such as that of AU envoy on Youth.
Being at the centre of the youth development agenda, what are some of the agendas that you’ve helped push and are passionate about?
One of my biggest highlights was when I had the privilege of being part of the team that came up with Terms of Reference for the inaugural UN Youth Global Champion in 2018.
Maureen alongside Walter Mongare, Director Youth & Development, Office of the President and Lazarus Amayo, Kenyan Ambassador to the United States.
In reference to the phrase “everyone is a change-maker”, what do you see as the potential for the young people to make a difference in the economy (as leaders & innovators)?
I believe that every person has equal opportunity. The difference between the billionaire and other people is that the billionaire leveraged on what s/he had. That is time, courage and patience to have what they possess. You have to believe that you can and that it is possible.
Is there a role you’d like to take up in the near future?
I feel I can serve better at an ambassadorial role or under the Foreign Affairs docket. I’m very confident about it because I don’t think anything you put your mind to is impossible.
You regularly interact with high profile individuals; have you ever been star-struck?
I can’t say yes because I’m not there yet. But I feel like I’m headed there. I would like to meet Tyler Perry. If I do, I don’t know if I will be star-struck. Though I think I would be star-struck if I attended the CNN Heroes or Grammy Awards.
