Esther Wachira Wangeh

Pioneering Kenyan tech entrepreneur who created Africa's first safety app for women

Esther Wachira Wangeh (b. 1987) is a visionary Kenyan entrepreneur whose startup TUKO has revolutionized women's safety in Africa. In 2016, after witnessing friends' experiences with gender-based violence, she co-founded this geolocation safety app that connects users to emergency responders, trusted contacts, and nearby safety hubs. By 2023, TUKO had expanded to 8 African countries and partnered with UN Women. Wangeh's advocacy led to Kenya's 2021 amendment of cybercrime laws to include digital harassment. She frequently speaks at global forums like the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and her TED Talk "How technology can protect women" has over 2 million views. Wangeh's work intersects tech innovation with gender justice, earning her the African Youth Leadership Award (2019) and inclusion in Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 list.