Celebrate women’s leadership at the Zuri Awards 2025 Gala Dinner in Nairobi on March 6, 2025, honoring exceptional Kenyan women across 16 sectors for International Women’s Day.

The Zuri Foundation has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 Zuri Awards, an annual platform recognizing exceptional women driving positive change across various sectors in Kenya. This year’s awards will culminate in a Gala Dinner Ceremony on March 6, 2025, at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, aligning with the global theme for International Women’s Day 2025 — #AccelerateAction.

The #AccelerateAction theme underscores the urgency of removing barriers and biases that hinder gender equality, emphasizing the need for swift, collaborative action to achieve gender parity in professional and personal spaces.

Commitment to Gender Parity

During the announcement, Muthoni Mumo, Co-Founder of the Zuri Foundation, reiterated the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles in Kenya and across Africa.

“Women are increasingly leading transformational change across Africa as the continent makes significant strides toward gender parity,” Muthoni stated.

Kenya’s progress in advancing women into leadership is evident, with women holding key positions such as Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior leadership roles across the public and private sectors. However, Muthoni emphasized that structural barriers remain, particularly around gender stereotypes, work-life balance challenges, wage gaps, and underrepresentation in leadership spaces.

“While we celebrate these gains, we must actively work to dismantle the deeply entrenched biases that hinder progress. Gender diversity not only enhances boardroom dynamics but also improves decision-making, talent acquisition, and overall organizational performance,” she added.

A Legacy of Impact

Since its inception in 2017, the Zuri Awards have become a beacon of recognition and support for women leaders and changemakers in Kenya. Over the past eight years, the platform has:

Received 1,135 submissions.
Shortlisted 241 nominees.
Honored 92 exceptional women.
Raised over $350,000.
Positively impacted more than 11.7 million lives across Kenya.

Nominations and 2025 Focus Areas

The 2025 Zuri Awards nominations span 16 categories, showcasing the diverse contributions of women across:

Agriculture
Healthcare
Renewable Energy
Arts, Culture, and Entertainment
Sports
Manufacturing
Education
Humanitarian Efforts
Public Service
Business
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Environmental Sustainability
Media
Young Achievers
Women with Disabilities

Among the notable initiatives nominated for 2025 are:

Hyperemesis Gravidarum Foundation Africa, which supports mothers experiencing severe pregnancy complications.
Golden Tee Inclusive Golf, an initiative promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in golf.
Urban Balcony Bounty, a project that encourages sustainable living through balcony gardening, providing both food security and additional income.

Celebrating Resilience and Innovation

According to Rachel Achieng, Founder of Urban Balcony Bounty, the Zuri Awards shine a light on the tenacity, creativity, and excellence of Kenyan women, especially those who defy the odds to innovate and lead change within their communities.

“Every individual here is already a winner because you’ve taken that crucial first step toward progress and impactful change,” added Ann Wangui, CEO of Golden Tee Golf.

For Elizabeth Frankline of Hyperemesis Gravidarum Foundation Africa, the Zuri Awards are not just a celebration but a powerful platform for advocacy and visibility, ensuring that women leading transformative efforts are seen, heard, and supported.

Supporting the Supporters

As part of its long-term strategy, the Zuri Foundation aims to support the supporters — individuals and organizations working on the frontlines to empower women and girls. By building alliances with both local and global organizations, the Foundation hopes to accelerate action toward gender parity while ensuring sustainable progress across sectors.

Conclusion

The Zuri Awards 2025 serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact women continue to have across Kenya’s social, economic, and political spheres. By celebrating these women, the Zuri Foundation hopes to inspire the next generation of female leaders, fostering a more inclusive future where gender equality is no longer a goal but a reality.