Young Gusii professionals launch forum to foster unity, mentorship

A group of young professionals from the Gusii community met at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, under a new outfit called the Gusii Young Professionals Forum (GYPF).

The meeting brought together people from different fields—technology, law, healthcare, agriculture, education, and the arts—with the aim of working together and supporting each other.

Members said they wanted less focus on rivalry and more on collaboration, mentorship, and building opportunities.

"This spirit of togetherness will be the driving force behind creating opportunities for young professionals in Kisii, Nyamira, and beyond," GYPF Chair Duke Mainga Echate said.

According to the group, they plan to roll out mentorship, networking, and empowerment programs in the coming weeks, and hope to expand their activities nationally.

"I was tired of networking events that felt transactional," Echate explained. "We wanted to create a space where we could not only grow professionally but also make a tangible difference right here at home."

GYPF says its members also want to use their skills beyond personal career growth. They plan to run financial literacy and entrepreneurship workshops, push for more representation in leadership, and take positions against corruption and tribal politics.

"We realized we had a lot in common beyond just our jobs. We all want to make a difference, and we figured we could achieve so much more by working together than by trying to do it alone," said Wycliffe Ombogo, the forum’s organising secretary.