On 3rd October 2025, BrighterMonday Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s GenKazi program, hosted the EmpowerHer Career & Biz Clinic in Machakos Town — a catalytic one-day experience dedicated to unlocking dignified and inclusive work opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Held under the theme “She Works, She Builds: From Opportunity to Impact in Shaping Machakos Workforce,” the event brought together over 300 young women, including 25 PWDs and 30 mothers with young children, for a full day of learning, mentorship, and connection. The Clinic transformed the Machakos Golf Club into a vibrant hub where women could dream, learn, and take tangible steps toward employability and entrepreneurship.
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Bridging Opportunity and Impact
The EmpowerHer Clinic was designed as a one-stop empowerment platform , blending career guidance, entrepreneurship coaching, and direct employer engagement. Participants took part in:
- CV clinics and mock interviews with HR experts, improving over 300 CVs.
- Career exhibitions linking job seekers directly with employers, training institutions, and NGOs.
- Entrepreneurship masterclasses covering business ideation, financial literacy, and digital marketing.
A Mentorship Café where over 20 mentors offered personalized coaching on career growth and business development.
Partnerships That Power Change
The event was made possible through the collaboration of BrighterMonday Kenya, the Mastercard Foundation, Tuboreshe Pamoja (mobilization partner), and local stakeholders, including the County Government of Machakos, Equity Bank, and the Ministry of Labour. These partnerships ensured inclusive participation, particularly among PWDs and mothers, thanks to thoughtful touches such as a Mothers and Babies Corner and dedicated accessibility support.
BMK’s digital tools: including the AI Career Tool were showcased to help participants map personalized career paths, with 43 new sign-ups recorded on-site.
Voices, Visibility, and Vision
The day’s plenary and panel discussions led by local leaders, employers, and entrepreneurs delved into breaking systemic barriers to women’s employment and entrepreneurship. The resounding message: women are builders of Kenya’s future economy, and inclusion must move from principle to practice.
Participants shared stories of resilience and ambition, reminding all in attendance that when women access dignified work and entrepreneurship pathways, entire communities thrive.
Learnings and the Road Ahead
The Machakos edition offered key takeaways for future EmpowerHer Clinics:
- Better timing and pacing to allow for deeper mentorship and practical learning.
- Enhanced digital registration to streamline entry and data collection.
- Greater emphasis on AI-powered career planning and entrepreneurship coaching linked to real job placements.
Despite logistical challenges, teamwork and flexibility from the BrighterMonday Kenya team ensured high-quality execution and meaningful impact.
The Ripple Effect
The EmpowerHer Career & Biz Clinic reinforced a clear truth: when women are equipped with tools, mentorship, and access to opportunity, they don’t just find work they create it. The event ignited collaborations that will continue to shape the Machakos workforce ecosystem long after the tents came down.
As BrighterMonday Kenya and the Mastercard Foundation look ahead to future editions in West Pokot and Mombasa, the commitment remains strong: to empower women, include everyone, and build an economy where every woman can say with pride: She Works. She Builds.
