With a background in electrical engineering and more than a decade of experience in Kenya’s electricity sector, Winfred has seen first-hand how decisions about energy infrastructure can shape the lives and opportunities of millions of people. Today, she talks about her work in energy infrastructure, climate, and public policy, highlighting the technical and policy perspectives she has developed throughout her career:
Hello Winfred. It is an honor to welcome you to Words That Count. We are excited to learn about your work and journey so far
It is nice to be here; thank you for reaching out. I am humbled to be nominated by Grace Mukii Nzivo, and to know that my journey would be an inspiration to many.
Let us begin with a brief introduction about yourself
My name is Winfred Mwende Mutinda. I am a Kenyan, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.
People often tell me that I wear many hats, and they are right. However, at the heart of everything I do is a commitment to using science, engineering, evidence, and policy to improve people’s lives. This means that my greatest strengths are my ability to bridge technical expertise, policy insight and human-centered leadership.
I am an electrical engineer by training, a policy practitioner by evolution, and a systems thinker by practice. I currently work at the intersection of energy, climate, public policy and infrastructure development. Recently, I served as a Senior Programme Manager at the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A).
Before that, I worked for over a decade as a Transmission System Planning Engineer at the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO). Here, I contributed to planning and developing national electricity transmission infrastructure and regional interconnectors. Those years gave me a deep appreciation of how engineering shapes economies, communities and opportunities for millions of people.
Beyond my professional work, I actively mentor young professionals, leaders and changemakers. I am a passionate supporter of initiatives that build leadership, expand opportunities and encourage meaningful youth participation in development processes. I am the Founder of Tubariki Foundation Africa and the team leader for the Tubariki Mentorship and Collaboration Network (TMCN).
Lastly, I serve as an Advisory Board Member of Champions for SDGs Youth. I believe that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires empowered young leaders who are equipped to shape a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future. These are surely many hats you wear, haha. Congratulations on holding everything together.
Walk us through your journey to working in energy infrastructure. How does that integrate with policy?
My journey began in Mwaani Village in Makueni County, Kenya. I grew up as the fourth-born in a family of five. Life changed early when I lost my father at eight years of age. This left my mother to raise us. As a young girl, I was convinced that education would be my pathway to opportunity. I believed academic excellence could open doors of possibilities. Looking back, that belief became one of the greatest gifts I ever gave myself.
All through my academic life, I was a science-oriented student. Although I did not have a detailed career roadmap growing up, I knew I wanted to solve problems that mattered. In primary school, at Mwaani Primary School and later Unoa Primary School, I was fascinated by science.
In high school at Precious Blood High School- Kilungu, which was called the “Paradise in the Bush”, physics became my favourite subject. My teacher’s belief that I could excel in a male-dominated field helped to spark my engineering journey. He saw an engineer where others saw a girl who liked science. That belief changed everything. He actually nicknamed me ‘tall man,’ teasing me for being slender and tall. However, the joke carried something deeper to me. He saw in me capabilities the world often reserves for men, long before I saw them in myself.
At the time, engineering was widely viewed as a profession for men, but that only made me more curious.
After high school, I emerged among the top 100 students in the region. This achievement
qualified me for admission to the University of Nairobi to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
I embraced the opportunity with confidence and graduated with a first-class honors degree in 2013. Looking back, I have never regretted that decision. Engineering has given me the privilege of contributing to solutions that improve lives. It remains one of the most fulfilling careers a woman can pursue.
My first professional experiences were in Kenya’s telecommunications sector. I started with an internship at Safaricom, followed by a role supporting Airtel Kenya through Mahindra Comviva. In September 2014, I joined KETRACO as a graduate trainee electrical engineer. This marked the beginning of a career that would grow far beyond what I had imagined. Later in 2019, I moved to the transmission system planning department.
One of the defining moments of my life came in May 2017, when I survived a tragic road accident. Recovering from that experience profoundly changed my view of life. It reminded me that life is both precious and unpredictable, and that purpose cannot be postponed. Honestly, I am forever grateful to God for a second chance to live.
From that point on, I became far more intentional about pursuing opportunities that stretched me personally and professionally. I understood that my mission was bigger than myself. This was also a great turning point in my spiritual life!
In January 2018, I stepped into mentorship determined to turn my own journey into a stepping stone for others. I didn’t know then that it would become one of the greatest joys of my life: opening doors for people who remind me so much of myself. The testimonials and gratitude messages have piled up to an extent that I have lost count. But honestly, that’s the point; mentorship was never about being thanked. It is about making sure the door I walked through stays open for the next person.
My interest in public policy was sparked in June 2019 as a Mandela Washington Fellow at the University of California-Davis. At that time, I had also recognized that engineers were largely missing from policymaking in the heavily regulated energy sector. That realization led me to pursue a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. In October 2023, I returned to Kenya, and a year and five months later, I transitioned into the development sector, where I am currently working.
Along the way, opportunities to study, work with multidisciplinary teams, give back to communities, mentor young people and engage across Africa expanded my perspective. Today, I see myself not simply as an engineer, but as someone who connects technical expertise with public policy, evidence and people-centred development.
If there is one lesson my journey has taught me, it is that careers do not always follow straight lines. Sometimes your greatest impact lies at the intersection of disciplines rather than within a single profession.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced while building your career in energy infrastructure?
Looking back, I have come to see many of the challenges I faced not as obstacles, but as blessings in disguise. They stretched me, strengthened my character, and taught me lessons that success alone could never have taught. Resilience is built one challenge at a time. Today, I see every challenge as an invitation to make it a little easier for the women and girls who will come after me.
While in high school, raising school fees was a struggle. I leaned on government bursaries and the support of relatives to get through those years. Yet one memory still lingers in my mind: my mother taking on debt she could barely afford so I wouldn’t have to stop learning. I remember there was a day I had no fare home and ended up walking three-quarters of the way rather than add to my mother’s financial burden. I like to think that was my first real training in endurance (lol).
My university journey also brought an unexpected milestone. I am proud to say that I graduated with two degrees…haha. During my fifth year, I was expecting my daughter. Just one week after sitting my final examinations, we welcomed her into the world.
Becoming a mother at such a defining moment in my life came with its own challenges, but it also gave me a deeper sense of direction.
After taking a few months to care for her, I began building my career. Today, she is thirteen years old and continues to be one of my greatest blessings and motivations.
Just like many women in STEM, there were times when gender bias was evident. Being underestimated was something I had to learn to navigate with grace and confidence. Instead of becoming discouraged, I viewed every opportunity as a chance to challenge stereotypes and prove that women belong in technical spaces just as much as men.
Pursuing further studies abroad meant leaving behind the people who matter most, especially my young daughter. Balancing the demands of rigorous academic work while navigating the emotional weight of being away from loved ones was not easy. It required sacrifice and a constant reminder of why I had embarked on that journey in the first place.
Another challenge has been resisting the pressure to fit neatly into one professional box. My career has spanned engineering, energy infrastructure, public policy, climate action, and gender mainstreaming. While my core expertise is in transmission planning and energy, I view myself as a generalist, and this can make people wonder, “What exactly do you do?” However, I have come to appreciate that many of today’s most pressing challenges require people who can connect disciplines rather than remain confined within them.
More recently, I have come to know the uncertainty that comes with a shifting global development landscape; funding cycles change, institutions evolve, and careers take unexpected turns. If anything, those seasons have taught me a simpler truth: my identity was never meant to live in a job title.
You have talked about your daughter being one of your main sources of motivation. What else helps you stay inspired when faced with challenging moments?
People have always inspired me. The testimonials from my mentees are proof that my purpose is bigger than myself. I have become a role model to many, not because I set out to be one, but because I kept showing up and others noticed. That has taught me that inspiration is not about being perfect. It is about being visible in your journey of becoming.
I want to be remembered for my authenticity and as a great steward of my God-given gifts and abilities to change the lives of others. I want to be celebrated for not letting my gender limit me.
My faith in God has also been an anchor throughout my journey. It has taught me to keep moving even when the next step is not entirely clear.
My inspiration also comes from fellow human beings who, in their own small ways and acts of humanity, have ensured that the world is a better place.
But just as much as people inspire me, so do outcomes. It makes me happy to see communities gain access to reliable electricity through projects I have contributed to. I also enjoy every opportunity to help shape policies that improve lives. Witnessing the success stories of my mentees is another source of joy to me. These moments remind me why I do what I do.
At KETRACO, success was never about kilometres of transmission lines delivered. It was villages lighting up, health centres running life-saving equipment and students studying after dark.
I am also inspired by the belief that Africa has extraordinary talent and potential. Sometime around 2018, my friends started calling me “Mama Africa”. I would laugh it off. It felt like a name I had not quite grown into yet. But over time, I noticed something deeper. It showed up in the quiet, impactful moments.
To me, “Mama Africa” is not about having all the answers. It is about carrying a deep, unwavering belief in this continent, its people, its potential, and its future. Africa is not just where I come from; it is what I stand for.
What have been some of the most prestigious moments along your career journey?
One of the greatest honours of my journey has been receiving recognition for work that extends beyond technical excellence. My accolades over the years underscore my dedication to servant leadership and impactful contributions to society. They reflect not only professional achievement, but also a consistent commitment to uplifting others and creating impact beyond myself.
In 2018, I was humbled to be competitively selected for the inaugural Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Women in African Power Leadership Program in South Africa, joining 38 young women from 24 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2019, I became a Mandela Washington Fellow, hosted at the University of California-Davis under the public management track alongside 24 other young African changemakers from 18 countries. The fellowship became a door opener and a stepping stone for other opportunities.
2020 brought two honours. The Africa Queen of Energy Philanthropy Award and the Head of State Commendation (HSC) from then-President of Kenya H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of exemplary public and community service.
Two years later, in 2022, I was selected for the prestigious Chevening Awards to pursue my master’s at the University of Oxford. This was humbling because it was my first attempt at both the scholarship and admission to Oxford.
Beyond these milestones, I have built my career on a simple conviction. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not side conversations in development; they are strategic enablers of it. As gender focal point at KETRACO and a member of the Energy Sector Gender Committee, I actively contributed to gender mainstreaming initiatives across Kenya’s energy sector.
In 2022, I spearheaded the development of KETRACO’s first Gender Mainstreaming Policy. By the end of 2023, the organisation had achieved 97% gender compliance, as verified by an independent audit from the National Gender Equality Commission (NGEC).
In 2024, in Medellín, Colombia, I co-authored the Global Women in Energy Workplace Charter with the United States Energy Association (USEA), a landmark gender equity framework guiding energy organisations across the Global South.
Yet, if I am honest, the moments I treasure most are not the awards or titles. They are the quieter moments when a mentee shares that our conversations helped shape their career choices or when communities benefit from initiatives I have been privileged to contribute to.
Those moments remind me that the true measure of success is not the recognition we receive, but the lives we positively influence along the way.
Who is Winfred outside of all the walls of engineering, energy infrastructure, and policy engagement?
Outside of work and mentorship, I am simply a woman who values faith, family, and meaningful relationships. I am outgoing by nature and love connecting with people. I have often been told that my laughter is infectious and that it has a way of brightening the room. This is something I consider one of life’s simple joys.
I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends, whether it is sharing a meal, having heartfelt conversations, or simply creating memories together. I also love taking long walks and drives. They give me space to reflect and recharge. For fun, you will occasionally find me at a bowling alley, watching a good movie, or curled up with a good book.
Above all, I am a church girl. My Christian faith is the foundation upon which I build my life. It shapes how I lead, serve, and relate with others.
Beyond attending church, I occasionally have the privilege of preaching from the pulpit, sharing messages of hope, purpose and God’s faithfulness. And you want to know my favourite bible verse? It is Romans 8:28. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
What is your favorite quote?
If I had to sum up what has guided me, it would be these two quotes;
What are your words of encouragement for a young African girl who is passionate about energy infrastructure or STEM in general?
You can be everything you want to be, and being a Woman in STEM is one of them. Science knows no gender. Engineering is not reserved for people who have all the answers. It is for people who are willing to ask questions, keep learning, and solve problems. Your curiosity is your superpower. The world needs women who bring both technical excellence and compassion to the table.
You have what it takes to live the dream inside of you. When unsure of the path to take towards your career, look around and get inspired by the many women who have demystified the stereotypes and preconceived notions about STEM. Believe in yourself. The greatest enemy of success is self-doubt. Doubt is a killer of dreams.
The road to success in STEM careers might be bumpy, but the ride will be worth it! The 3Ps of success have brought me this far: Prayer, Positive thinking, and Purposeful living. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer. I do not entertain thoughts of defeat and negativity in my mind. Each day I work towards fulfilling my purpose on earth.
My journey has taught me that your starting point doesn’t determine your destination. A little girl from a small village in Makueni, raised by a resilient mother, dared to believe that education could change her life. It did. And today, I hope my story reminds other young girls that theirs can too.
Thank you, Winfred, for walking us through your journey in energy infrastructure, and for answering some of the questions people quietly have, especially about being a generalist. Thank you for supporting the next generation of leaders. We look forward to more collaboration with you in the future.
