AWEIK WOMEN IN ENERGY AND EXTRACTIVES SERIES
In conversation with Naomi Githui
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
Naomi Githui, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over 19 years of legal expertise, has carved a distinguished career in Kenya’s energy and extractives sectors. Her tenure in the Civil Service spans 15 years, during which she has shaped pivotal policies and frameworks, cementing her reputation as an expert in renewable energy and resource governance.
Central to Naomi’s professional journey are milestones that underscore her role as a policy developer. Her development of the 2022 Public Sector Lawyer Training Course in Renewable Energy—a collaboration with the Oxford Policy Fellowship Programme—exemplifies her commitment to capacity-building. This initiative, designed to equip legal professionals with specialized expertise, is consistent with her technical contributions to high-impact projects like the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which expanded solar energy access to marginalized communities. The review of Power Purchase Agreements under the Presidential Taskforce deepened her understanding of the sector’s regulatory landscape. Currently, her legal acumen guides the review of the South Lokichar Field Development Plan, a project poised to unlock economic benefits from Kenya’s oil production.
However, while Naomi’s achievements are formidable, her path has not been without hurdles. As a woman in a male-dominated sector, she often found herself as the sole female voice in high-stakes negotiations. Yet, these challenges became catalysts for resilience. “Mastery of the subject matter instills unshakable confidence,” she reflects, emphasizing rigorous preparation before all her meetings or negotiations. Additionally, mentorship and continuous learning has fortified her confidence, and her philosophy of always letting excellence speak for itself is her guiding principle.
Building on her experiences, Naomi advocates passionately for women’s inclusion in the evolving energy and extractives sector. She highlights immense opportunities in legal, technical, and leadership roles, particularly amid the global shift toward sustainability. “Women must step into these spaces as innovators and decision-makers,” she said, urging proactive engagement in industry networks like AWEIK whose platform for networking and policy dialogue has enriched her perspective and expanded her influence. Looking ahead, she envisions AWEIK scaling its impact through mentorship programs and partnerships with government and private entities. “Collaboration is key to doing away with systemic barriers,” she notes.
To sustain the progress, Naomi urges stakeholders to promote gender equity across policies, projects, and leadership structures. This includes investing in women-led initiatives, embedding inclusivity in corporate strategies, and fostering cross-sector collaboration in capacity building. “True progress demands women as architects and stakeholders, not just participants,” she emphasized, stressing on inclusivity playing a big role in sustainable development.
Naomi Githui’s career journey is marked by impressive achievements, resilience amidst challenges, and a steadfast commitment to gender equity. As Kenya’s energy sector evolves, her work ensures that women’s voices are not only heard but are central to shaping its future.