What do we lose when we lose a library? In this moving episode of the Power Panel Podcast, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo sits down with author and cultural restoration advocate Wanjiru Koinange.

From co-founding Book Bunk Trust to breathing new life into Nairobi’s public libraries, Wanjiru shares how storytelling and space can become tools of healing, remembrance, and resistance. She speaks about the emotional burden of inherited silence and why public libraries are sites of dignity and collective memory.

This episode is a deep reflection on how we restore not just buildings, but ourselves. Listen as she shares what power means to her, how she finds clarity in chaos, and why stories, like libraries, must be protected.

Subscribe for more stories from Africa’s women leaders redefining legacy and leadership.

🔗 Stay connected: @PowerPanelPodcast | @BookBunk | @wanjiru.koinange

Photos Courtesy of Book Bunk

Music credits courtesy of Pond5:

Azahar - Dancehall afro zouk instrumental

Move closer Afrobeat

Echoes Africa afrobeat theme

In this intimate reflection, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo responds to a powerful letter from a young listener grappling with fear and self-doubt. She explores how fear shapes the journey of women in leadership—how it whispers, delays, protects, and sometimes propels.

Drawing from her own path and the stories of remarkable African women featured on the Power Panel, Ambassador Omamo reflects on how fear can be transformed into courage, clarity, and strength.

Quoted In This Episode: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

“There is no way but through it, there is no choice but forward.” – Maaza Mengiste

“You may not be able to control the waves, but you can learn how to surf.” – Susan Jeffers

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” – Audre Lorde

Music and sound effects courtesy of Epidemic Sounds and Pond5

Sound Engineer: Tevin Sudi

Researcher: Peggy Kalie

Social Media Manager: Lucas Ngao

Administrator: Sombo Olende

Visit our website www.birdsongafrica.com to find out how to join our community.

Subscribe for more reflections, powerful conversations, and stories that shape Africa’s next generation of women leaders. Listen. Reflect. Reclaim your courage.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Tatu Gatere, co-founder of Buildher, returns to dive deeper into what it truly means to build with purpose. From challenging "hustler culture" to redefining what expertise looks like in construction, Tatu shares her insights on innovation, leadership, and the cost of driving change. She unpacks the journey of creating Buildher as a community-driven solution, the surprises she's encountered working with women in construction, and the urgent need to advocate for safety and dignity on every worksite. We also explore what it takes to lead with vision — balancing discomfort, passion, and collective action.

Music:

Kora Melodies Afrobeat theme - courtesy of pond5.com

Echoes Sahara - courtesy of pond5.com

This is ECHOES. This is The Power Panel Podcast.

Sound Engineer: Tevin Sudi

Researcher: Peggy Kalie

Social Media Manager: Lucas Ngao

Administrator: Sombo Olende

Tatu Gatere is more than an architect —she is a social entrepreneur and a pioneer in a movement seeking to fundamentally alter the status of women in the construction industry, from the bottom to the top. In this episode, she shares how she's challenging gender norms and unlocking people’s power to drive a new kind of architecture that fortifies communities and advances social justice. If you've ever felt that women can lead change in amazing ways, this is one for you

At just 29, Nadia Abdalla made history as Kenya’s youngest-ever Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs. In this powerful conversation, Nadia opens up about her journey from community conservatism to national leadership, the grief of losing her mother during her tenure, and how she reinvented herself after government.

We’re proud to announce that the Power Panel Podcast has been nominated for the Moment of Visionary Leadership at the 2025 International Women’s Podcasting Awards! This recognition celebrates a moment on our show where clarity, courage, and leadership came together to inspire change. Thank you to our host, Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, our incredible guests, and our growing community of listeners across Africa and the world. Follow the journey, amplify women’s voices, and celebrate visionary leadership with us.

When the weight of leadership gets heavy, Faith Odhiambo turns to two powerful sources of inspiration: 🎧 "Mwema" by Mercy Masika – a soulful reminder of grace and goodness in the face of challenge. 📖 “Dreams Count” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – a testament to the power of storytelling and dreaming beyond limits. These sounds and stories keep her grounded as she leads from the front. ✨ Discover more in Episode 4 of the Power Panel Podcast.

What does it take to stand firm, speak boldly, and lead purposefully? In Episode 4 of the Power Panel Podcast, we sit down with Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya, as she shares her remarkable journey through leadership, law, and advocacy.

From challenging systemic barriers to amplifying the voices of the unheard, Faith reflects on the power of principled leadership and why leading from the front isn't just a choice — it’s a calling.

📌 Tune in for powerful insights from African women redefining leadership.

🎧 Watch now and join the movement.