The opportunity that came knocking on Corrinne Ngurukie-Yamo’s door

Corrine Ngurukie-Yamo, CEO of Generation Kenya.

Photo credit: Pool

Corrinne Ngurukie-Yamo had it made. She had a job she loved, unwavering faith in her Christianity, and time to travel the world. Most times she did. You know how it is. Nothing fleshes the mind like travelling. And then she hit 40.

“I was single at 40, and I knew maybe my opportunity was over, but I was okay with it.”

Yet, faith—or fate—was not through with her. She met her husband and got her child at 45—and two months later she had to be back at work, this work where she serves as CEO of Generation Kenya, where she says they have trained “32,000 young people and 84 percent of them have been placed in meaningful work within 90 days of graduation.”

Kenya, she is quick to add, is only one of 18 countries implementing this programme. “We don’t train and then look for jobs, we look for the jobs then we train.”

Yet while she enjoys her work, family is the silk that puts the sheen on her steel. Not that she loves her work less, but she loves her family more.

Was this the work you wanted to do?

Yes! In 2007, I knew my calling was with young people when I was in a consulting company dealing with microfinance. I did some work in Kibera with adolescent girls, and that got me hooked.

I love this work, and the stories you hear out of desperation to a place of hope, get me to wake up.

What’s your favourite part about you?

[chuckles] That is a very interesting question. Should I talk about my family?

Please…

I have a six-year-old boy. He is my favourite part because he keeps me young, I am over 50 years old. He is very innovative and creative and I let him be and he is my joy. He sings, he plays the drums very well—he has rhythm, loud but I love to listen to him and dance to his music.

You have only one child?

Yes, I got married late, at 42, and got my child at 45.

How was that like? Did you never feel any pressure seeing your friends get hitched?

I am so thankful for my mother because I never had any pressure to get married. I was that bridesmaid that was never the bride. I enjoyed my life because my work made me travel and I loved it. When I hit 40, I knew it was over, and I was okay with it.

And then my husband came along, a guy I knew from church—I am a person of faith. We reconnected on Facebook.

Social media is powerful, haha! I tried to push him away because I had a plan: my project was ending and I wanted to go to New Zealand to work and do mission volunteer work. I guess he was very persuasive...

Indeed. This is an unfair question but we are here already, and you may not have the benefit of being a young mother, but how is your experience as an older mother?

It was tough. Getting him was tough because your body changes, it was a pivotal time at work as well, and two months after I got him I had to come back to work. The first two years were quite difficult, with aches and pains, and my body had aged.

I have to say my husband was a present partner and father. I keep asking myself how do single moms survive? I couldn’t, I thank God for him. He helped lighten the load.

There are advantages as an older mom, because you have this new lease of life, and that energy from my child is refreshing to me.

It helps me not to slacken for he is always pushing my boundaries in games that I have to show up for him.

But it has its disadvantages because most of my friends’ children are older and they cannot relate to my problems, haha! I try to get him to social spaces so I can socialise with young moms and also listen—nobody gives you a playbook on how to raise a child.

What’s your motherhood philosophy?

Just keep it real, but as a Christian, it’s getting him to grow with the values that underpin our faith. We have real conversations, I don’t tell him fables, or stories like Santa Claus, despite us enjoying fantasy.

We keep it real and know we live in a world that is not perfect—do your best with integrity and honesty.

You’ve mentioned that you have travelled quite a bit. What’s your go-to destination?

I loved Pokhara in Nepal. It’s the most scenic place I have seen. I was in a very simple hotel, besides the most beautiful lake—the sunrise and sunset give the lake different sheens—a beauty I have never seen.

It was the first time I paraglided over the Himalayas and I loved it. Not sure I can do that anymore, haha!

What are your hobbies now and how did you get into them?

I love reading. My mom is an author and bought us books. We are three girls (sisters) and we indulged in books. You cannot miss me without my Kindle. Before that, my luggage was heavy because I bought books. Thank God for Kindle, haha! I also knit and crotchet for fun, because it is very therapeutic.

Also, outside of buying books, I love getting into yarn shops and just buying the yarn. One day I will pick it up and knit something. I really love the colours and textures.

What are you reading in 2025?

The Bible. I look forward to mindful listening, which is about connecting with God, and one of the ways is through the Bible.

What’s a new habit you are picking up in 2025?

I want to be a guru on AI. I read snippets here and there, but I want to be more thoughtful for it fascinates me. My son is in that age, and I don’t want to be that parent who dismisses him away with ignorance I want to know what he is talking about, to move with the times.

What’s your weekend soundtrack?

I love Nathaniel Bassey. My husband is a techie and he has an LP, a kinanda, so we have old-school music. He plays and we just sit and listen.

What’s your favourite of those songs?

Boney M. and Abba. We play them a lot.

How has travel changed you?

Exposure is absolutely important. I have the deepest appreciation for Kenya—we have wonderful, friendly people. I have been to places, such as in South Africa, where I have been discriminated against.

This has made me more appreciative of other people, irrespective of their choices. I am called to love you and love you I shall.

The Bible says owe no man nothing but love, God is love, I love. Travel has also made me okay to be at home, I have been to many places, so even at work, unless it is crucial, I’d rather my team do the travelling, and let them experience the world.

What’s the first thing you do in a new place?

I take photos and send them to my family and close friends.

What is a travel experience that keeps you up at night?

Colombia is where my laptop got stolen. We were in a conference room and stepped out to have tea, five minutes later, we got back in and our laptops had disappeared through a service door where we were sat.

We spent the whole day at the police station, who were not speaking English and Duolingo did not exist then, haha! Although I was profiled, the immigration people were very polite. But in Israel, I was profiled from the time I entered.

The security guys kept coming to ask me questions, asked me to unpack my suitcases, and told me to pack up and they walked me to the checking point into the plane. I felt like a criminal. But I enjoyed my time in Israel in general, not so sure I would go back.

What are your hobbies now and how did you get into them?

I love reading. My mom is an author and bought us books. We are three girls (sisters) and we indulged in books. You cannot miss me without my Kindle. Before that, my luggage was heavy because I bought books.

Thank God for Kindle, haha! I also knit and crotchet for fun, because it is very therapeutic. Also, outside of buying books, I love getting into yarn shops and just buying the yarn. One day I will pick it up and knit something. I really love the colours and textures.

What are you reading in 2025?

The Bible. I look forward to mindful listening, which is about connecting with God, and one of the ways is through the Bible.

Which book has most improved your life?

The Bible. And “Jesus, CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership” by Laurie Beth Jones. It details guidelines of how Jesus led, and that’s how I try to lead.

What is the most difficult decision you’ve had to make lately?

Hmm. [long pause]. It’s very hard for me to let people go, largely because I give people several chances and the opportunity to grow, but where it is not working, it is not working. It still bothers me till today.

After a long day at work, how do you connect with yourself?

I have a room in the house where I have a very comfortable couch where I close my eyes, breathe, and thank God for the day. I use that time to connect with God and myself and to breathe so I have the energy to engage with my son and husband.

What are you going to do less of in 2025?

I wish you asked me the other way around [chuckles]. I am going to do less of procrastination, especially on the exercise front. I am going to be more thoughtful about it, my body has told me. I want to do more mindful listening—not just what people are saying, but also listening to my body and the environment and how I should respond to it.

What’s a fear you have overcome or are working to overcome?

I fear dogs and I don’t think I shall overcome it.

Why?

A long time ago, a friend of mine was living in an estate that had dogs around, but one day coming from work, she was attacked by the same dog. I have that fear of being attacked by a dog—even when they look as innocent as they do. It’s a battle I am having with my son…he wants a dog.

Do you live your life by any particular mantra?

God first in everything that I do. Without him, I would not be what I am.

Who do you know that I should know?

[long pause] Judy Munyinyi Mumo. She is one of my best friends. She is the most patient person in this world. Her husband has been through many illnesses, but she has supported him with the kindest of hearts without complaining.

She has had a sister with mental health challenges, and she has patiently guided her sister. She is not the firstborn, she is a middle child, but she is just a nice person, with the kindest heart. You should also know my mom and her books.

What books has your mom written?

She has written Tough Choices, Soldier’s Wife, CEO’s Wife, and she has been doing some books for Kenya Literature Bureau. Patricia Wambui Ngurike. That’s her.

Did you pick any of her creative genes?

I feel it in me, but it’s a fear I have. Where do I start? I wish I had that creativity.

Positively, I am envious of writers. My younger sister has that knack, but she hasn’t written anything…I am asking God to transfer that talent to me [chuckles].

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