In December 2025, Brenda Makena graduated with a First-Class Honors degree in Telecommunications Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a milestone she proudly shared on her Tiktok page, expecting messages of celebration. Instead, she was met with a wave of disheartening comments from netizens who questioned the legitimacy of her achievement, with some suggesting it was not earned on merit.
Brenda’s experience is not an isolated case. For centuries, women, particularly those in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), have had to contend with skepticism and the need to justify their competence and success, necessitating strategies that support those who choose this path.
It is against this backdrop that JKUAT, through the Department of Chemistry, convened the 2026 IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast on Tuesday, February 10, bringing together women in science from diverse backgrounds to network and establish meaningful collaborations.
In her welcoming address, JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, represented by Prof. Vivienne Matiru emphasized that amplifying women’s voices in STEM requires a concerted, multi-faceted approach. She noted that this includes creating inclusive curricula and learning environments that actively engage female students, alongside structured mentorship programmes, scholarships, and early-career support.
“Women bring diverse perspectives that drive innovation and inclusive problem-solving. Their participation strengthens research quality, enhances collaboration, and ensures that science serves all of society.
Moreover, women in STEM act as essential role models, inspiring the next generation of girls to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators. By cultivating more women scientists, we do not only advance gender equity, we accelerate scientific progress and societal well-being,” Prof. Ngumi’s noted in her speech.
The event’s keynote speaker, Prof. Mary Abukutsa, an award-winning scientist and former Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Research, Production and Extension, exemplified this role-model effect.
She emphasized the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration involving academia, industry, and other stakeholders, noting that effective mentorship is critical to sustaining such partnerships. She shared examples of her former mentees who have since risen to leadership positions.
Held as part of a global initiative by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the breakfast also provided a platform to reflect on the role of women in science and academia as Kenya prepares for the rollout of Competence-Based Education (CBE) in universities in 2029.
The conversation was steered by Mr. George Mwaura of the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), who lauded the forum as a catalyst for meaningful change, noting that transformative conversations often emerge from women-led spaces. He emphasized the importance of amplifying women’s voices in CBE decision-making, advocating for inclusive learning resources, and supporting girls along STEM pathways.
He added that this was particularly critical as universities transition into an education model focused on competence and practical application rather than examination-driven outcomes.
The interactive session also featured testimonials from women leading impactful initiatives in innovation, mentorship, advocacy, and the empowerment of girls (read learners) through the donation of learning equipment.
The annual Global Women’s Breakfast, which JKUAT has hosted since 2023 under the coordination of Dr. Eunice Nyawade from the Department of Chemistry, was established in 2011 to create platforms that connect emerging scientists with accomplished trailblazers who have navigated similar challenges.
The event is aligned to the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science and supports Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality by promoting women’s full participation in science, as well as Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities by advocating for inclusive and equitable access to scientific education and opportunities.
Running under the theme: Many Voices, One Science, the breakfast, was also attended by male allies, led by the President of the Kenya Chemical Society, Prof. Leonard Gitu, and the Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Elijah Ngumba, among others, as a sign of solidarity in mentoring, advocacy, and promoting the visibility of women in STEM towards a more inclusive future.
