Book Review: Margaret Kenyatta: Selected Speeches
Margaret Kenyatta: Selected Speeches is a compelling collection that captures a decade of purposeful leadership and impactful communication by the former First Lady of the Republic of Kenya. The book brings together speeches delivered during her 10-year tenure, offering readers valuable insight into her advocacy and public engagement.
Organized into twelve themes, the collection highlights contributions across critical areas including healthcare, women’s empowerment, leadership development, environmental conservation, and social inclusion. Each theme reflects a consistent commitment to service and national development. What stands out most is the clarity and consistency of her message. The speeches are delivered in simple language that resonates with a broad audience. Whether addressing healthcare workers, championing women’s rights, or inspiring young leaders, her communication emphasizes unity, responsibility, and collective action.
For Toastmasters, this collection offers an important lesson: effective communication is rooted in purpose and authenticity. The speeches demonstrate how a clear message can inspire action and influence change. As a reader, I was particularly struck by how these speeches emphasize partnership and shared responsibility. As Toastmasters, each speech we craft is an opportunity to shape perspectives and highlight what truly matters. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to grow as a communicator and leader.
An Excerpt: ‘From Glass Ceilings to Open Skies’
“I am delighted to join you this evening, because we are here to celebrate women. So often, we hear that the cup of women’s empowerment is half empty; today, though, our cup runneth over! On every single one of its pages, the book we launch today, ‘From Glass Ceilings to Open Skies’, speaks of women who have boldly reached out into the world and have made a difference – a significant difference. Some have done so in business, others in the professions, others in public service and others in philanthropy. They are women from different backgrounds and multiple generations – some, indeed, have contributed from as far away as America.
…I congratulate each and every one of them, for having struggled and achieved as they have; for having dealt with so many challenges and indeed serious setbacks; and for having shown extraordinary determination and resilience.
…A board diversity report by the Kenya Institute of Management and the Nairobi Securities Exchange was published showing that female representation in Kenyan boards has risen to 21 per cent from 18 per cent in 2015 and 12 per cent in 2012. I am impressed by the progress especially when we measure ourselves against Europe and Australia which is only 5 per cent more, at 26 per cent, and North America is actually 1 per cent behind us, at 20 per cent! In Africa, the average representation on boards by women stands at only 13 per cent, and the ratio in Asia is only 9 per cent and in South America a mere 8 per cent. So, though we have been making progress, we need to push for the trend to continue upward.
As far as chairpersons of boards are concerned the percentage of women in Kenya is 7.7 per cent, while the global average is only a little over half that, at 3.9 per cent. In Asia it is just 1.5 per cent. In the public sector too, our gender representation has been rising at a decent rate, even if we are yet to achieve the stipulated one-third ratio. While we must continue to support women to be treated as equals alongside men and to be given equal opportunities, we must accept that the struggle will be a long one, and that each of us, men and women alike, must join hands in it. In that long struggle, we will require examples to emulate, and I can think of few better than the women whom we celebrate today…”
