Mosop MCA Frontrunner Grace Karanja Recognized For Youth Empowerment, Women’s Leadership

By Staff Writer

A frontrunner in the race for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat for Mosop Ward in Rongai Constituency, has been recognized for her efforts to improve lives, empower youths and communities, and contribute to sustainable social and economic development across Kenya.

Grace Karanja has been nominated for the Woman of Influence of the Year Award, Youth Empowerment Award and Youth Leader of the Year Award under the 2026 Taifa Excellence Awards (TEA), in recognition of her work in community development, education, youth mentorship and economic empowerment.

“Being nominated for the Youth Leader of the Year and Woman of Influence Awards is a great honor and a reminder that service to humanity never goes unnoticed,” Grace said.

The two nominations highlight her efforts to expand opportunities for women and young people through advocacy, education, vocational training, scholarships, employment linkages and mentorship programs aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting self-reliance.

Through Grace Foundation and its Masomo Mashinani initiative, Grace has championed access to education and mobilized resources and partnerships to connect young people with scholarships, career opportunities, vocational training and employment.

“I strongly believe that no young person should miss an opportunity simply because of their financial background,” she said in an interview.

Her initiatives have helped young people secure employment and access sponsorships to pursue courses in colleges and technical institutions. She has also encouraged entrepreneurship, talent development and skills acquisition as pathways to economic independence.

Grace has identified youth unemployment and drug and substance abuse as persistent challenges facing communities, advocating for practical interventions that provide young people with alternatives and opportunities to build productive futures.

“We must give our young people alternatives to hopelessness, not just condemn them when they fall into difficult circumstances,” she said.

Her work also extends to women’s empowerment, with initiatives focused on women’s health, education and economic participation. She has supported vulnerable girls through sanitary pad initiatives while encouraging women to pursue entrepreneurship, education and leadership opportunities.

Reflecting on the recognitions, Grace said the nominations represented more than personal achievement, pointing to the lives touched and opportunities created through her community engagement.

“To me, these nominations are not just personal recognition; they represent the many lives touched, dreams restored, and young people given a reason to believe in their future,” she said.

The nominations come as Grace prepares to contest the Mosop Ward MCA seat in the 2027 elections, with education, youth empowerment and inclusive community development forming key pillars of her stated leadership vision.

“I aspire to build a Mosop where education is accessible, young people are empowered economically, women have a voice, and every child has a fair chance to succeed,” she said.

Grace has also emphasized that leadership should be measured by its impact on people’s lives rather than the positions individuals hold. He stressed that the Woman of Influence nomination reminds her that leadership is not about the position people hold, but the difference they make in people’s lives.

Her stated ambition she added, extends beyond electoral success, with a focus on creating lasting opportunities for future generations.

“My greatest aspiration is not simply to win an award or an election, but to leave behind a generation that will confidently say, ‘Someone believed in us, opened a door for us, and gave us a chance,’” she said.

The Taifa Excellence Awards are a national recognition platform that celebrates individuals, organizations and institutions whose contributions are transforming lives and communities across Kenya.

Organized by Women and Youth Empowerment in Media and Communication (WYEMAC), the awards recognize leadership, innovation, advocacy and service across various sectors.

Guided by the theme “Celebrating Impact, Inspiring Change,” the 2026 awards seek to highlight initiatives that promote sustainable development, encourage accountability and inspire future generations of leaders.