“I rejected a strong job offer, including the opportunity to work in New York, to stay home and build Qhala.”

Meet Dr. Shiko Gitau, CEO of Qhala Limited.

Her story of service did not begin when she founded Qhala. It began much earlier, shaped by her upbringing, her faith, and the communities that surrounded her.

Rooted in Faith, Shaped by Community

At her core, Shiko describes herself first as a child of God. Her faith anchors her identity and influences how she approaches leadership, purpose, and responsibility.

She was born prematurely and raised in very humble circumstances. At one point, her family lived in a cardboard house in Mathare, one of Nairobi’s informal settlements, before later moving to Nakuru.

Looking back, she reflects on the many moments of grace and the people who helped shape her journey.

Her parents, especially her father, played a key role in shaping how she understands leadership. Watching him grow under mentorship while remaining grounded in faith taught her an important lesson: “leadership is not about position, but about vision, purpose, and direction.”

A Leadership Habit Anchored in Service

One question has consistently guided Shiko’s leadership:

“How does this work help someone else?”

She recalls visiting Mukuru kwa Reuben, where she met a young woman her age who already had three children and was severely ill with HIV.

That encounter stayed with her.

In that moment, Shiko realised that the difference between her life and the young woman’s life was largely circumstance and opportunity.

From then on, she knew her skills in mathematics, computing, and technology could not simply be about professional achievement. They had to be rooted in service.

That mindset continues to guide her leadership today. Whether through Qhala’s work or the projects her team takes on, she continually returns to purpose. If the technology they build does not ultimately benefit people especially those who need opportunity the most then the work is missing the point.

Choosing Purpose Over Comfort

Leadership often presents opportunities that look impressive but may pull you away from the work you truly believe you are called to do.

“At one point I received strong job offers abroad, including a role in New York. It would have been financially secure and professionally impressive. But I felt strongly that accepting it would not align with the work I believed I was meant to do in Africa,” Shiko recalls.

Choosing to stay and build Qhala was not the easier path.

Entrepreneurship brings uncertainty, responsibility for people, and constant pressure. Yet the decision reinforced a powerful leadership lesson:

Clarity of purpose makes difficult decisions easier.

Once you understand why you are doing something, the path forward becomes clearer.

What She Wishes She Knew at 25

When you are young, Shiko says, it often feels like success depends on getting everything right.

But some of the most defining lessons in her life came from failure.

She recalls failing an exam despite knowing the material, because she allowed herself to participate in something that compromised her integrity. It was painful, but it became a defining moment that strengthened her lifelong commitment to integrity.

Her advice to her younger self would be simple:

“Focus on character, purpose, and trust in yourself.”

The right opportunities will come. What matters most is who you become and how you choose to use those opportunities.

Giving to Gain

For Shiko, the theme “Give to Gain” reflects a truth she learned early in life:

“When you invest in people, that investment multiplies”.

This belief shapes how she leads.

The impact of Qhala is not only measured through the technology solutions it builds, but also through the people who pass through the organisation those who grow, learn, and carry those experiences forward.

Shiko is also deeply aware that her own journey has been made possible through the generosity of others.

Giving mentorship, knowledge, time, and opportunity may not always produce immediate results. But over time and across generations the impact becomes profound.

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