Fariah Lalaikipian

Fariah Lalaikipian is a dedicated changemaker and thought leader in inclusive economic policies and grassroots economic justice from Kenya.

Fariah's story

Fariah Lalaikipian is a dedicated changemaker and thought leader in inclusive economic policies and grassroots economic justice. A 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow in Public Management, Fariah’s journey has been shaped by her deep commitment to empowering marginalised communities, particularly women and girls, who have historically been the backbone of local economies yet remain under recognised.

Fariah has enriched her expertise through diverse international fellowships: Professional Development Experience Fellow (2023), FFOP Fellow (2022), Women Techster Fellow (2024), Gender Equality Studies at the University of Iceland (2025), and RAUN Fellow (2025). She has served on steering committees including Faith in Her by Faith for Our Planet, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacebuilders, and the Women, Faith, and Climate Network under the patronage of former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, demonstrating her commitment to linking faith, policy, and sustainability.

In 2021, motivated by the lived stories of women in her community, Fariah founded Uzury Empowerment Hub-Kenya, which has empowered over 2,000 women and girls through evidence-based, human-centred programmes. Her initiatives, including the Uzury Women’s Centre, Adopt a Home, Uzury grassroots women leaders Fellowship, and Jamillah, fuse research, advocacy, and community action to amplify voices often unheard, equipping participants with life skills, economic opportunities, and pathways to resilience. Her work shines a spotlight on the silent economic contributions of marginalised groups, advocating for policies that are gender-responsive, inclusive, and transformative at the grassroots level.

As a communication strategist for start-ups and social enterprises, Fariah is passionate about building partnerships for impact, leveraging multi-sector collaboration to drive sustainable change. Her story is one of bridging knowledge, research, and lived experience to create spaces where empowerment is tangible, economic justice is actionable, and collective action fosters lasting social transformation.