Thank you mama: Men speak about the strong loving women who made them

When the world is marking International Women’s Day, there is a misconception that men should take a backseat and let the women take the day. This year’s theme reinforces the need for involvement of both genders; that we must all acknowledge the role of women in the community and appreciate their input in different sectors. The Sunday Standard talked to men from different walks of life about the unique roles women have played in their lives.

Dr Dabar Abdi Maalim (Commissioner EACC)

Nuriya Sheik, a former teacher in Garissa changed my life and that of many people in the Somali community. She taught me History in high school and some of the words she would tell me still come back to me. We were men, coming from a community that saw no need to educate women. Nuriya would often remind us of our role as men to take our children to school. In her, we saw passion. Even though she would come off as very tough, she loved teaching and her main strength was mentorship. She is a good listener. She would follow up on the students who had dropped out and talk to their parents to put them back to school. Interestingly, she taught my wife, and we always look back and smile at the memories of the woman who made us who we are today. She does not get celebrated much, but people in the Somali community know how much energy she put in her students. She deserves recognition, not just on International Women’s Day but every day.

Johnson Riungu (Specialist in Assistive Technology for the blind)

I still remember how much my mother cried when she was told that I had gone blind. I was only 10 years old. My eye condition started when I was five and it got worse. I have [started] forgetting how my mother looks like because it was so many years ago. [However], I have never forgotten my mother’s tenderness. She is an outstanding woman. Growing up, I loved reading. I still get overwhelmed by emotions when I remember her sitting with me during school holidays and reading for me novels… word by word, because there were not many novels in braille. You know, she paid someone to transcribe a novel in braille. We would be walking, and if she saw something interesting, she would describe it for me. She became my eyes. Even now, she is still the most supportive person who involves me in everything in the family without making me feel that I am blind.

David Maseke (Lawyer)

Justice Wilfrida Okwany was my pupil master after I graduated from law school. She was strict, and I remember how she would pore through the documents I presented her, and every day, she would remind me of the importance of detail in my legal career. We were young people back then, but she gave us a chance. She would assign us cases that challenged us, and she would walk with us patiently through the journey. I can confidently say that she fine-tuned us, and I am better because she paid attention to me. In our career, we thrive on mentorship, and I always tell everyone I meet about the woman who spared a lot of her time to shape my career. I have worked with women, and there are people who imagine that it makes me feminine. That is not true. It does not challenge my masculinity at all. It just reminds of the different strengths we have, and how we can use them to become better.

Peter Ouko (Returnee Citizen)

There are people who still call me ex-convict, but I prefer to be called returnee citizen. I served some time in prison, Kamiti to be exact over some crimes I committed in the past. While in prison, I met many women who inspired me. Madam Wanini Kireri, Assistant Commissioner General of Prisons. She was among the first people who saw me as a person, and not a criminal. We were serving at a time when we would be flogged, treated like animals. In the interactions we had, I saw what it takes to be a leader. She was in charge of a male prison but she was so friendly to us. She would spend time talking to us and she would refer to us by name. She pushed for transformation in prison, and we saw it. Madam brought hope – something that was lacking in prison. I also think my mother deserves a special mention. She attended all the hearings for my case. For 15 years I was in prison, she visited me. When I was released, there she was, waiting by the gate to welcome me to the world and to give me a second chance.

Freshley Mwamburi (Musician)

I have seen the hands of a woman’s generosity. I was sick, having gone through an operation. I was stuck and at some point, I thought I was going to die. My producer stepped in and paid my bill, without asking for anything in return. It was more than Sh300, 000 and she paid for it. I am now better and I celebrate her. I know that saying thank you is not enough. She deserves much more, but I just do not have anything to give, to tell her I appreciate.