Interview with Arya Jeipea Karijo

Monika: Today I have invited Arya Jeipea Karijo, an inspirational transgender woman, LBQ-ITGNC rights advocate, and feminist from Nairobi, Kenya. Hello Arya!

Arya: Hello Monika.

Monika: I am always delighted when I can talk to sisters from all different continents. Could you say a few words about yourself?

Arya: Well, you said most of it in your introduction. So, I will probably be doing repetition. I am a transgender woman, I am active in the LBQ-ITGNC community organizing in Kenya. I write a lot, last year I was a feminist investigative journalist with openDemocracy last year for six months on a fellowship.

This year I am working with Whose Knowledge? a campaign to decolonize the internet. I am passionate about decolonization as a way of freeing African queer narratives.

Monika: You describe yourself as a feminist. What does it entail from the Kenyan and African perspectives?

Arya: I think I would rather speak on feminism from my perspective and how I feel Kenyan and African feminism should self-define.

Interview with Audrey Mbugua Ithibu

In the heart of Kenya, where tradition and modernity often collide, Audrey Mbugua Ithibu stands as one of the most compelling voices of courage and transformation on the African continent. A transgender activist, a scientist by training, and a determined advocate for dignity and justice, Audrey has become a symbol of what it means to live truthfully, fight relentlessly, and rise gracefully against all odds. A graduate of Maseno University in Medical Biotechnology and now pursuing studies in Computer Programming and Advanced Databases, Audrey brings a rare blend of intellect and tenacity to her activism. As the founding force behind Transgender Education and Advocacy (TEA), she has dedicated herself to rewriting the narrative for transgender people in Kenya, demanding legal recognition, humane healthcare, and societal understanding where there was once only silence, stigma, or scorn. 

 

Audrey's legal battles have not only shaken the foundations of discriminatory state practices but have also ignited national and regional conversations about identity, autonomy, and inclusion. Despite enduring systemic rejection, religious prejudice, and personal heartbreak, she remains resilient, her strength tempered by moments of painful honesty and a clear, compassionate vision for her community. There is an undeniable femininity in her fight, quietly fierce, emotionally intelligent, and unshakably nurturing. She speaks not only for herself but for every young trans girl walking the tightrope of survival and selfhood in Africa. Audrey has turned her past mistakes into wisdom, her scars into fuel, and her solitude into leadership. Today, it is my honor and joy to welcome Audrey Mbugua Ithibu to this conversation. Her story is not just a tale of transition, but a testament to how one woman’s refusal to be erased became a lifeline for many others.