In 1977 she was is "Kenya’s first woman bank manager of Barclays Bank". "Later she broke the barriers of male dominance in the banking industry, ascending to become the first woman bank manager in Kenya. And there she relentlessly forged the way for the bank to start offering loans to women. She was among founders of the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) in 1992, becoming their first chairperson." "In the field of education, she has pioneered the creation of one of the most successful chain of private schools in East and Central Africa with over 1000 pupils — the Makini Schools, which has topped the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education performance countrywide more than once and twice produced Kenya’s top girl student... "She would later organise a tripartite programme between Women’s World Banking (WWB), Barclays Bank and KWFT.
"Her work with WWB saw her set up affiliates in Gambia, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. She later held the position of senior adviser to the President of the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. "She is also recognised internationally for her service as the Vice President of WWB in New York between 1990 and 1992. She has served on several committees, including the World Bank’s External Gender Consultative Group (EGCG) and women’s credit organisations across Africa. In 1993 she received the International Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her services to finance
I began my career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1967. I harboured the dream of becoming an ambassador, but let go of that dream as soon as I began working at the ministry.
Six months later, I left to join Barclays Bank. I rose through the ranks and in 1977, I became the first woman bank manager in the country.
In those days, it was very difficult for women to access credit as they were required to have the approval of their husbands among several other bottlenecks. We operated under the archaic Napoleonic law where women, children and lunatics were put in the same category.
Women had no contractual rights, yet they played a big role in nation building. They could not even be promoted to managerial positions. Most women those days were clerks, cashiers, sweepers and tea girls.
To counter this, some female colleagues and I began the Barclays Bank Women’s Association to mentor young women into successful banking careers. We challenged and inspired young women not to accept the status quo or be content with subordinate jobs.
Access to credit
We encouraged each other to work hard for managerial positions, study for professional exams and, most important, to believe in our capabilities and talents.
During the first UN meeting in Mexico, it emerged that women were underdeveloped due to lack of access to credit and capital facilities. In 1979, Women’s World Banking (WWB) was conceived.
This was a milestone for women in banking because it opened doors to many other organisations that would empower women and promote their economic growth.
In Kenya, we saw the need to start a like-minded organisation so in 1982, we invited other like-minded women and started the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT).
I became its first chairperson and my then boss at Barclays Bank, TD Myles, supported my efforts to see the organisation grow. Today, I am proud of Dr Jeniffer Riria, the current Chief Executive Officer of KWFT who has worked hard to see the organisation become the largest micro-finance institution in the country.
It was a difficult road but we had to fight for the rightful position of women as far as banking and access to credit and capital was concerned. We encouraged women across the country to save their money and borrow loans to start and grow their businesses. Slowly but surely, women became more empowered and today women run huge business.
Changing laws
I left Barclays Bank in 1985 to be the regional representative and first African representative to the Women’s World Banking. My job was to sensitise and inspire women across the continent to be economically empowered and independent. I was also involved in lobbying African governments to change rules and regulations discriminatory to women.
Two years later, in 1987, WWB seconded me to the Africa Development Bank as a senior advisor to the bank’s president. My area of concentration was focused on women development and the private sector.
I worked as the president’s senior advisor until 1990 when I was appointed the vice president of the Women’s World Banking based in New York.
As vice president of WWB, my job entailed a lot of travelling and I literally lived off a suitcase. I covered all the 52 African countries to lobby African governments and financial institutions to remove rules and regulations that were discriminatory against women. I also inspired women taking the initiative to be financially independent and economically empowered.
I was instrumental in setting up affiliates of WWB in African countries such as Zambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. After a while, I felt homesick. Being away from my husband and children was not easy to deal with. In 1992, I decided to take a sabbatical and while on the break, I decided to leave the banking career altogether.
My family is everything to me
I met my late husband, Dr Pius Okelo, in 1968 in London While studying for my post graduate diploma in professional banking.
He was studying at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, where he earned a doctorate in Electrical Engineering. He was the second Kenyan PhD holder in Electrical Engineering.
We got married in London and got three wonderful children; Joseph Okelo (he has a Masters in Strategic Management), Lawrence Okelo (he has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering) and Clare Niala (a doctor). Plus their spouses (Patricia, Christine and Alistair), in total, I have six children and six grandchildren.
My family is everything to me. We have stuck together through thick and thin. I thank God that they are good and supportive children.
I lost my husband in November 2004 through a road accident. Life without him has been challenging, but I have found strength in Jesus Christ.
Secure childhood
I have come to take God more seriously than ever and I have since embarked on a spiritual journey. I have seen God’s faithfulness in many ways as I lean on His promises and trust Him completely.
I have a strong Christian background and all through my life, I learnt to put God before everything I did.
I was born in Busia, near the border of Kenya and Uganda to Cannon Jeremiah Musungu Awori and Mariamu Awori.
I was the 14th born among 16 children. We were a close-knit family. Our parents applied a fine blend of love, care and strict-military-like discipline. They led us to God and taught us to respect and love God in everything we do.
I had a very happy and secure childhood and I enjoyed the company of my sibling as we went to school together at the local mission school in Nambale.
I attended Butere Girls for my O-levels.
I was among the first 13 girls admitted to start A-levels in the country at Alliance Girls High School. Other girls included Lady Justice Effie Owuor, Prof Florida Karani, Elizabeth Wanjiru (of Mother-in-Law) and the late Elizabeth Masiga (the first woman chief inspector of schools) among others.
Alliance Girls contributed to moulding me into what I am today and I fondly recall our headmistress, Miss Mary Bruce, inspiring us to succeed.
