Kakenya Ntaiya

Kenyan educator who challenged cultural norms to establish the first girls' school in her Maasai village

Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya (born 1978) transformed gender inequality in Kenya's Maasai community by negotiating her way to education and founding Kakenya's Dream, a nonprofit that empowers girls through schooling. As a child, she underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) to avoid forced marriage—a traumatic experience fueling her resolve. After securing a rare opportunity to study in the U.S., she returned to build Kakenya Center for Excellence in 2009, which has educated over 300 girls and reduced FGM rates locally by 95%.

Her work earned recognition from National Geographic and the CNN Heroes award. By combining Western pedagogy with Maasai traditions, she created a model that respects heritage while dismantling harmful practices.