Intrepid Women of Kenya

In 2013 I spent four months living in Kenya conducting research on the role women play in community healing and peacebuilding. During that time I ran arts-infused workshops in Kibera and Haruma, two of Nairobi's largest slums. These workshops were conducted with women from eight different tribes, to explore their concept of peace, how they played a role in promoting peace in their communities as the general election neared . . . but that story is for another time.

During my four months in Kenya, I was lucky enough to connect with three women's only villages: one located in the Massai Mara and two in Samburu dsitrict. The latter two had been created out of necessity: by women who had been victims of rape by members of local detachment of the British Military and who had been ostracized by their husbands and family. There is great shame attached to rape in Kenya, and therefore women rarely speak of it.

Another women's only village, the Village of Senchen is another example of a Samburu group of women who created a village in response to the violence they had undergone.  They are surviving by helping one another. It is through creating community that women support one another.

Alone in Kenya?

Travelling alone can be difficult at the best of times. You can go on a group tour and have all your needs taken care of OR, for the Intrepid Woman, you may find you have it in you to explore solo or with a friend or two, a region that is unknown to most . . . Sub-Saharan Africa.

One way to travel to Kenya alone is to go to unique places such as women's only villages: you can read more about my travels last year by seeing my blog Letters from Kenya and Beyond. These are not the glamourous resorts that we read about in the glossy magazines, but they are comfortable and you will be able to speak with women who are intrepid in a very deep sense. You may even make friends (it's hard not to).

There are two brilliant places that are safe and welcome women. The villages are run by women, are ecologically sustainable, and guest friendly. In the Maasai Mara you can stay at Tepesua Cultural Camp.  Once there, Hellen Nkurayia will be your host and take you to the widows village and the rescue centre, a school where young Maasai girls are offered an education rather than circumcision or early marriage. She can arrange tours to the game reserve as well as it is nearby. When I stayed there was a lion in the vicinity so I hired a Maasai Warrior to guard me through the night.

In Samburu (near Archer's Post to the North of the Great Rift Valley) you can stay at Umoja Women's Only Village and visit another women's village nearby called Unity. The women are extraordinary in both places.

How to get there? Well, you can fly or have the best experience by travelling in a car with Samson Mwaki (if you need his email you can get in touch with me. I don't want to leave it on this blog as spammers may pick it up) ! He will even pick you up at the airport in Nairobi! He is quick to laugh and very trustworthy and warm.