“I wanted people to feel my presence.” That desire became the heartbeat of Irene Owiti’s journey through Strathmore University. From a borrowed camera to leading conversations that matter. “I belong in these rooms and I have a story to tell,” she says.
Now graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Irene describes her journey as more than a milestone. It’s a reflection of growth, grit, and finding her voice.
Irene didn’t always envision this path. In high school, she was simply a girl with a borrowed camera, exploring the world through street photography and chasing natural light and shadow.
“I was drawn to real moments,” she recalls. Then COVID-19 happened. With the world slowed down, Irene used that time to create her very first documentary and everything changed. “That was it,” she says. “That’s when I knew I didn’t just want to observe stories, I wanted to tell them. I wanted people to feel my presence.”
Joining Strathmore affirmed that she had chosen the right direction. The academic environment stretched her understanding of communication, revealing just how dynamic and layered the field was. “I remember sitting in class one day and thinking, ‘Yes, I chose the right course,’” she says.
Her world expanded beyond journalism. Irene explored new avenues, eventually becoming Head of News at Strath Hits Radio and later, the Communications Clinic leader. With each role, her self-perception evolved.
“You can be more than what you thought,” she reflects. “My voice has power.”
But her growth wasn’t without challenges. Balancing studies with freelance photography and managing social media accounts demanded intense discipline. “If you don’t push yourself, you’ll have nothing to show,” she says candidly. “I pushed. And slowly, opportunities opened.”
On campus, Irene’s story was shaped not only by titles or accomplishments, but by deep, transformative experiences. She describes her campus life as a chapter she would title The Unforgettable. From writing articles that pushed her critical thinking to organizing a donation drive in Kibera, Irene embraced leadership and service. A fellow student once told her after a team-building event, “It’s my first time being with you, but it already feels like family.” That moment, she says, stayed with her.
Mentorship also played a defining role in her journey. She speaks warmly of the faculty who believed in her potential with a key on on Sara, Irene’s mentor “Sarah Meghurt, like a big sister, would pat my back and say, ‘You’ve done great. Dr. Njeru told me, ‘Don’t just write what’s expected, write what you believe. Her confidence and communication skills is what I loved most’ Dr. King’ori constantly pushed me to go deeper in research. And Dr. Macharia challenged me to be bolder: ‘You need to be confident. I know you know what you want.”
Through their guidance, her confidence grew. And so did her dreams. Irene now aspires to work in an international humanitarian organization and she’s determined to shift the narrative around communication through a platform she has built, The Grind Growth Show Podcast.
Believing in the power of giving back and the value of personalized attention, Irene, an alumna and proud beneficiary of the Macheo Achievement Programme under the Community Service Centre returned as a volunteer to the very initiative that once shaped her. For her, it wasn’t just about mentorship; it was a heartfelt opportunity to pay it forward, create lasting impact, and cherish every moment spent with her mentees.
“People think comms is just for women, or that it doesn’t need a budget,” she says. “But the Communication Director should be in the decision-making room.”
“Because trust me,” she adds, “I’ve lived it.” To her younger self in first year, Irene has a message: “You came in like a boss. You knew what you wanted.”
That self-assuredness led her to become class representative not for the sake of a title, but because leadership, she says, was something she was growing into.
To her fellow graduates, she offers a heartfelt piece of advice: “Start by leading yourself. Create value. Give what you can, and thank God.”
As she leaves Strathmore, Irene hopes her legacy won’t just be the titles she held or the events she emceed. She wants to be remembered for the stories she told and more importantly, how she made people feel.
“I hope to be remembered as someone who valued all kinds of stories and made people feel seen, heard, and inspired. Because everyone is looking for value. So, create it.”
Article written by Sharifa Okumu
