Gakuru holds a certification in Business Management from the Kenya Institute of Business Training and has completed extensive training in community mobilization, research ethics, mental health crisis support, and psychoeducation. With a strong foundation in community development and public health, Gakuru brings a diverse set of skills to her work, including facilitation, data collection, advocacy, and community mobilization.
Gakuru is part of the Sauti Mashinani Research Lab and Anga Center, where she supports community-led research, health education, and capacity-building initiatives. She has served as a facilitator for a mental health intervention project focused on reducing intimate partner violence among women in informal settlements. In this role, she applied ethical practices and intervention strategies to support participants’ well-being and safety, collaborating with researchers to monitor and evaluate program impact.
As a longtime community health volunteer and respected village elder in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s informal settlements, Gakuru plays a vital role in bridging community voices with health and development initiatives. Her leadership is rooted in deep trust and cultural fluency, honed through years of engagement in barazas, community meetings, and outreach work. She is also a trained human rights defender and has worked closely with organizations to protect and promote justice and dignity in her community.
Fluent in both Swahili and English, Gakuru is committed to inclusive, impact-driven work. She continues to serve as a mentor, mobilizer, and advocate, using her lived experience and deep community ties to advance health, equity, and resilience in climate-affected neighborhoods.
