Young Kenyan leader Angel Mbuthia has shared her journey into leadership, describing how simple decisions made during her school and university years gradually opened doors to wider opportunities in Kenya and across Africa.
Speaking during a recent conversation on Mwelekeo TV with host Mercy Otieno, Angel reflected on her early ambitions, her experience in student politics, her work with continental youth organisations and her plans to serve her community in the future.
Angel said her first dream was not politics but journalism. While in high school, she joined the journalism club, where she wrote weekly summaries and presented them during Monday assemblies. Her interest in news was also influenced by watching evening news programmes with her family.
Her journey took a different direction after joining the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. She remained active in class and often volunteered for different tasks. She also participated in discussions and made herself available when opportunities to contribute arose.
Her involvement in class activities eventually led to her election as a class representative. The position became her first step into student leadership and introduced her to the responsibilities that came with representing other people.
Angel later joined the Students Organisation of Nairobi University, where she served in different capacities. She started in a nominated position before becoming academic affairs secretary and later vice chairperson. She described the period as an important stage in her development because she had to deal with student concerns, understand their challenges and push for their rights.
After completing university, her leadership journey expanded beyond Kenya. She was elected secretary for gender and international relations at the All Africa Students Union, a continental organisation bringing together student organisations from different African countries.
She served for about three years and worked with young leaders from various parts of the continent.
The experience exposed her to different political, social and economic environments. Angel said interacting with people from other African countries helped her understand that many challenges facing young people are shared across the continent, although countries respond to them in different ways.
When the COVID-19 period began, she returned to Kenya and later joined the National Youth Council board. Through the position, she gained a closer understanding of how the government works with young people and some of the difficulties involved in turning youth ideas into practical programmes.
Her involvement in regional youth affairs also continued through COMESA youth structures. She was elected chairperson by representatives from member countries, giving her another opportunity to work with young people beyond Kenya.
Angel has also been involved in international youth engagement. She advised the Dutch government on youth engagement in Africa and the Middle East. She also took part in Miss President Kenya Season 2, where she emerged the winner after competing against hundreds of women from different backgrounds and age groups.
During the Mwelekeo TV discussion, Angel repeatedly returned to the importance of service in leadership. She said leadership should not be defined by titles or gender but by the willingness to serve people and remain committed to their concerns.
She also spoke about imposter syndrome and the doubts that can come with accepting leadership responsibilities. According to her, some of the opportunities that shaped her career started with small decisions. Volunteering for a task, accepting encouragement from classmates or agreeing to contest a position created opportunities she could not have predicted at the time.
She encouraged young people to remain active in their communities instead of waiting for major opportunities before becoming involved. She said participation at the local level can help young people gain experience, build networks and understand the responsibilities that come with leadership.
Angel also acknowledged that young people face practical challenges when trying to turn their ideas into action. Many have proposals and the energy to work but lack funding, support systems and clear pathways to implement their plans.
Her own experience, she explained, has taught her the value of accepting different opportunities, whether elected or appointed, while continuing to learn and serve.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Angel is now looking to take her leadership journey to another level. She is seeking a mandate to serve the people of Kimilili as a woman representative.
Her story, as presented during the conversation, is not simply about holding different leadership positions. It is also about gradual growth, starting with participation in school and university before moving into national, regional and continental platforms.
For young Kenyans watching, Angel’s experience offered a simple message. Leadership can begin with ordinary acts of participation, willingness to serve and the courage to take opportunities when they arise.
Her years of experience across more than 20 African countries have also strengthened her belief that Kenya has significant potential, particularly when young people are given the opportunity and support to contribute.
