KPC Foundation Celebrates Women’s Progress in Technology
KPC Foundation and Power Learn Project (PLP) have celebrated the completion of the inaugural Inuka Tech Fellowship cohort, bringing together female fellows, industry leaders and mentors for an event focused on career growth and women’s participation in technology.
The gathering, held at PLP’s offices in the iHUB Jahazi Building in Nairobi on September 25, 2026, was organised under the theme “Her Data, Her Future.” Dubbed Power Her | Create & Connect, the event marked the fellows’ transition from the programme while highlighting the need for more inclusive opportunities in Kenya’s technology sector.
The event brought together professionals and leaders from KPC Foundation, NCBA, Safaricom, Loop, Spiro and Qhala, creating an opportunity for participants to engage with women working across the technology and business sectors.
Beyond celebrating the programme’s completion, the gathering focused on preparing fellows for the next stage of their careers. Participants took part in a My Path Canvas exercise, which helped them map out their professional goals and identify steps they could take over the next five years.
Mentorship sessions and a fireside conversation, followed by an open question-and-answer session, gave the fellows an opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, discuss career challenges and gain insights into navigating the technology industry.
Rachel Gathoni, Manager at KPC Foundation, encouraged the fellows to approach their careers with confidence and professionalism, emphasising the importance of technical competence, a willingness to learn and the ability to demonstrate their skills in the workplace.
“Women must occupy the spaces they enter at work with confidence,” Gathoni said.
The inaugural Inuka Tech Fellowship cohort comprises 30 fellows selected from more than 1,000 applicants, with women accounting for half of the group. The programme was designed to address the underrepresentation of women in technology by creating opportunities for them to develop technical skills and access professional networks.
Mumbi Ndung’u, Co-founder and Executive Director of Power Learn Project, said the initiative reflects the partners’ commitment to expanding opportunities for women in the technology sector.
“We are passionate about tech and more so women in tech,” Ndung’u said.
She noted that the partners had identified a gap in the industry and sought to address it by creating inclusive training environments that enable more women to participate in technology and develop relevant professional skills.
For the fellows, the programme provided an opportunity to move beyond classroom theory and apply their knowledge to practical assignments and industry-related challenges.
Chantelle, one of the fellows, described the experience as a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, citing hackathons and practical assignments as key components of her development.
Another fellow highlighted the opportunity to interact with women already working in the technology industry, saying the experience had offered valuable insights as she prepares for the next phase of her career.
The formal programme also incorporated networking over refreshments before concluding with a Sip & Paint session, giving participants an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting after a day of mentorship, learning and reflection.
The Inuka Tech Fellowship operates under KPC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Kenya Pipeline Company PLC. The programme combines technical training in Python, machine learning, dashboard development and data storytelling with practical simulations, mentorship and exposure to industry professionals.
Through this approach, fellows are prepared for career opportunities in fields such as operational data analysis, business intelligence and predictive analytics engineering. Additional career pathways are supported through Power Learn Project’s Talent Hub.
Organisers said the Power Her | Create & Connect gathering was intended not only to celebrate the first cohort’s completion but also to equip the fellows with professional networks, greater self-awareness and the confidence to pursue opportunities in Kenya’s growing technology sector.
