Biography

Irene Kathomi Gitonga is a Medical Psychology graduate from Kenya with a growing passion for community development, social research and humanitarian work. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Psychology from Moi University, which provided her with a strong foundation in understanding individuals, families and communities and the social factors that influence their well-being.

Irene has gained practical community experience through her six-week Community-Based Education and Service (COBES) placement in Butula, Busia County, where she lived and interacted with a rural community and gained a deeper appreciation for community needs and locally driven solutions. She has also been a volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross Society since 2014 and currently serves as Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Nkubu, experiences that have strengthened her leadership, teamwork, communication and community engagement skills. Her experience in research and data collection has further developed her interest in using evidence to understand and respond to community needs.

As a CorpsAfrica Volunteer, Irene is committed to embracing the Community-Led Development approach by listening to communities, learning from their experiences, and supporting solutions that are locally owned and sustainable. She believes meaningful change is strongest when communities are empowered to identify their own priorities and take the lead in creating solutions that reflect their realities and aspirations.