Is Katindi Sivi Njonjo an #EnemyOfTheStateKE?

The current Programmes Director at the Society for International Development (SID) in charge of programme conceptualization, coordination and management does not fall anything short of an amazing character. Perhaps you are wondering who this is. If you have heard about the recently launched damning report; Exploring Inequality in Kenya, then you should know who is behind the initiative.

Katindi Sivi Njonjo holding a dummy of the report on Exploring Kenya's Inequalities

Katindi Sivi Njonjo resolve to work on issues surrounding policy research and futures thinking came from the fact that she believes research is capable of influencing evidence bases on policy planning, budgeting, monitoring as well as evaluating the devolved and national systems in a country. She says, “Through foresight work, I can contribute to the long term and strategic thinking around issues of mutual concern in the country.”

Prior to joining SID, she headed Futures, at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). Over the years, she researched, authored publications and contributed to policy discussions in areas such as: Kenya’s inequality; the state of Civil Society Organizations and possible futures they might have to face; youth in Kenya and possible scenarios the looming youth bulge presents; manifestations of Kenya’s vigilante groupings in Kenya; long term visioning for Kenya.

She was particularly involved in the development of Vision 2030’s as a member of the technical team. Here, she authored the youth, gender and vulnerable groups chapter and the first Medium-Term Plan; strategic planning for various constituencies; gender budgeting; and Kenya’s perceptions and prejudices.

Other engagements

Some of her other capacities include chairing the Kenyan Node of the Millennium Project, a global network of futurists. In addition, she is a board member of Tumaini clinics in Korogocho, Youth Agenda-Kenya, Emerging Leaders Foundation-Kenya, the State of Cities in Africa based in South Africa. 

Beyond that, she is a firm believer and a member of the worship team in her church.

PRAISE BE  TO GOD: Katindi (long black skirt) during a praise and worship session.

Education

Katindi went to Kenya High School and graduated in 1995. She then went to Belgium to study at The British School of Brussels. She left in 1997. The next year, she enrolled at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A), for a BA in International Relation up until 2000. Her MA was in Arts in Sociology at the University of Nairobi in between 2001 and 2003.

For further training, she went to Oxford’s Said Business School while still working at Futures. In addition to all that, she holds an MSc in Organizational Development from USIU, and a BA in International Relations and training in Rural and Community Development, Scenarios Planning and Gender Budgeting.

Happily married: Mr. and Mrs. Njonjo Mue

Family

She is the first born in a family of four siblings. Her father is a retired chef, while her mother works for the Nairobi County. 

Another interesting fact is that she is married to Njonjo Mue, a lawyer and a fierce human rights defender, whom she, in her own words considers to be her “best friend.” They have been married for the last 6 years.

BACK IN THE DAY: Katindi with her younger brother

FATHER AND DAUGHTER: Katindi and her Dad

Personality

Katindi is easy going, appreciates a good joke, love seeing God's wondrous nature, singing, dancing and enjoys theatre, travelling, mountain climbing, a good play and mentoring young people. She says she is a vision thinker and explains vision thinking as a mental picture of where someone wants to go within a certain period of time.  Katindi says that Africa still has a long way to go with futures thinking.

She is intrigued by Africa’s changing demographics, stung by the youth bug, perturbed by the existing inequalities.

Work

Katindi’s work as the Programmes Director at the Society for International Development (SID), a global network of individuals and institutions concerned with development, saw her launch a number of reports on inequality, the latest one having been released on November 26 2013.

Prior to joining SID, she worked at the Institute of Economic Affairs (a research and policy analysis think tank). The Futures, program which she headed focused on research, policy analysis and foresight thinking. It facilitated the use of scenarios thinking, visions building and strategic planning. She began as an intern at the Institute of Economic Affairs at a time when she was not sure what career path she wanted to take.

Mrs. Njonjo considers three people as the main contributors to her inspiration. Betty Maina, former CEO of Institute of Economic Affairs who started the scenarios work in Kenya; Barbara Heinzen, who was an independent consultant for all the East African scenarios projects; and Arthur Muliro who convened the East African scenarios processes and currently works for Society of International Development. "They took risks with me and provided numerous learning opportunities," she says.

MAKING A PRESENTATION: Katindi gives a lecture at an event.

Publications

Katindi has research widely throughout her career and authored various publications. Most of her works have led to improved national policies and programmes. Some of the publications include; 2011: Kenya Youth Scenarios (KEYS) a booklet giving a detailed account of four possible futures Kenya could face by 2031 as a result of a looming youth bulge. 2011: Youth Research Compendium has extensive research on youth demographics; un/employment; access to education; quality of education; health; family development; political participation; vigilantism; crime; entertainment; and sports. 2010: Youth Factbook which is youth related information in Kenya and the data is disaggregated by age, gender, region and socio-economic status. 2008: Constituency Strategic Planning Manual.

Mrs. Njonjo led strategic planning processes in various constituencies in the country after a proportion of national resources were de-centralized by the government. Moreover, she also conceptualized the youth scenarios project and spearheaded discussions around changing demographics and the possible futures Kenya could face as a result.

Kenya Youth Scenarios 

Honors and Awards

Africa's Futurist of the Month July, 2011; Coca-Cola scholarship for the EMOD programme; Partial Scholarship to Oxford (Said Business School) for Scenarios training.

Through her immense contribution to society, is Katindi Sivi Njonjo an #EnemyOfTheStateKE?