In the narrow, bustling lanes of Kariobangi, where survival often drowns out dreams, a young girl once watched helplessly as her brother was led away by police — accused of nothing, yet treated as though he were guilty.
That moment, seared into her memory, awakened something fierce and tender within her — a refusal to accept injustice as normal, and a lifelong conviction to help others find healing and dignity.
That girl is Salima Njoki Macharia — today a psychologist, human rights advocate, and Program Officer for Wellness at the Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi, a Kenyan grassroots social movement organization.
Her journey from the crowded streets of Nairobi’s informal settlements to regional leadership in wellness work is not one of privilege, but of purpose.
Njoki learned early that healing doesn’t begin in hospitals or courtrooms — it begins in being seen, heard, and believed.
Through her work, she has woven psychology into activism, championing the idea that even those who fight for justice need spaces to rest, breathe, and be cared for.
Her path has not been easy. There were moments when the emotional weight of others’ pain threatened to silence her own light.
But with faith as her anchor and compassion as her compass, she has built a career that nurtures both strength and softness.
Across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, Salima’s voice echoes through safe spaces she’s created for civic actors and survivors — quiet sanctuaries where broken spirits begin to mend.
She reminds the world that healing is not a weakness; it is an act of resistance, a declaration that humanity still matters.
“I remind them that hope doesn’t mean forgetting the pain, but learning to live beyond it,” she says.
In this edition of #HerVoice, Njoki speaks to Y News about her path from the informal settlements of Kariobangi to leading wellness initiatives across East Africa. She opens up about trauma, healing, and why care must become a central pillar of activism.
Photo/Salima Njoki
Question And Answer Session With Salima Njoki.
Can you walk us through your journey into psychology and human rights work — what first inspired your passion for helping others heal and find dignity?
I grew up in the informal settlements of Kariobangi, where injustices were part of daily life. When my brother was once arrested without cause, I accompanied him to the police station and refused to pay bribes. That moment changed me — it lit a fire to stand against injustice.
Later, I joined a theatre group advocating for constitutional change, and my activism grew from there. Seeing the trauma many defenders carried made me realize that healing must be part of our fight for justice.
My own struggles drew me toward counselling, and with encouragement from a close friend, I embraced psychology fully. I learned that defenders, before anything else, need to be affirmed in their humanity — to be seen, cared for, and supported.
Was there a specific experience that shaped your path toward trauma-informed and culturally sensitive care?
Yes. Watching my brother’s arrest and standing up to police demands opened my eyes to how trauma and injustice intertwine. Later, I saw passionate activists quietly breaking down under emotional strain. It taught me that advocacy without healing leaves deep wounds.
That’s what inspired me to study counselling and create spaces where people — especially defenders — can heal with dignity.
You’ve worked across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. What lessons have you learned about community wellness and resilience?
Wellness isn’t new — it’s rooted in our traditional practices of care and connection. People have always healed through community.
But stigma around seeking help remains, and many activists normalize pain as part of the job. That silence and fear of appearing weak often prevent them from seeking support.
As Program Officer for Wellness at the East Africa Wellness Hub, what meaningful initiatives have you led?
At Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi!, I’ve helped embed wellness in our policies and culture — from revising the HR Manual to launching a welfare kitty, hybrid work model, and medical cover that includes wellness needs.
I also started our Monday Morning Wellness Check-ins, where staff share openly and find support. Regionally, I led a baseline survey on civic actors’ wellness, which informed our new interventions.
Most recently, we launched the “Wellness Toolkit for Civic Actors” to strengthen care and resilience across East Africa.
How do you balance addressing trauma while caring for your own wellbeing?
It’s taken deep reflection and mentorship. I’ve learned to say no, pause when overwhelmed, and embrace joy.
My friends and family keep me grounded, and I’m grateful for a boss who understands the emotional weight of care work. Their support allows me to show up fully without losing myself.
What challenges do survivors of sexual and domestic violence face that society overlooks?
The invisible weight of shame and self-blame. Many are made to feel responsible for their pain.
Beyond trauma, survivors face isolation, economic vulnerability, and systems that retraumatize instead of protect.
Healing needs more than therapy — it requires patience, understanding, and a community that truly listens.
How do you help survivors rebuild confidence and hope?
I start with listening — really listening. Each person is a whole human, not a case. My goal is to restore safety and agency.
Healing can be slow — sometimes it’s a smile after months of silence. I remind survivors that hope isn’t forgetting pain, but learning to live beyond it.
Can you share a moment that reaffirmed your belief in this work?
I once supported a young woman who had survived repeated abuse. For two days, she couldn’t speak. On the third day, she looked up and said, “Today, I want to live.”
That moment reminded me why this work is sacred — healing happens quietly but powerfully.
You’ve worked with organizations like Amnesty International Kenya and International Justice Mission. How have these collaborations shaped your mission?
They deepened my understanding of trauma and resilience in human rights work. I saw how systemic injustices affect both survivors and advocates.
These experiences affirmed that wellness and justice must go hand in hand — care is part of the fight, not separate from it.
How can mental health be better integrated into human rights and justice systems in East Africa?
By recognizing mental health as a right, not a privilege. We must create trauma-informed policies, embed psychosocial support in legal processes, and train justice actors to handle emotional realities with empathy.
We should also draw from our indigenous healing traditions, which offer culturally rooted ways to cope and recover.
What does “wellness in activism” mean to you?
It means reclaiming our humanity while fighting for justice. Without wellness, movements risk becoming spaces of exhaustion. To me, wellness is both resistance and sustainability — proof that we can’t build free societies while harming ourselves.
What motivates you on difficult days?
The resilience of civic actors and the reason I began this journey. My friends and family keep me steady, but my biggest joy is my grandchild. Her smile, her voice calling “Shosho”, gives me renewed purpose every day.
What advice would you give young women entering psychology or community work?
Start by showing compassion to yourself. Strength and vulnerability can coexist. Find mentors, rest without guilt, and set boundaries.
You’re not here to fix everyone — just to walk beside them as they rediscover their own strength.
Who is a woman who inspires you, and why?
Wangari Maathai is a woman who greatly inspires me. I am reminded of what it means to lead with compassion and conviction by her bravery, tenacity, and unshakable faith in the strength of community.
She demonstrated the close connection between healing the environment and healing people, demonstrating that wellness is not just a personal but also an environmental and communal endeavor.
I respect how she remained true to herself despite attempts by others to silence her and how, by her actions and humility, she inspired hope in others.
Even though it may seem like a little voice at times, her journey motivates me to persevere, maintain my sense of purpose, and use it to help others find spaces of justice, care, and renewal.
You’re currently pursuing a Master’s in Christian Counseling & Psychology — how does faith influence your approach to healing and wellness?
My approach to wellness and healing is firmly rooted in my faith. It serves as a reminder that, regardless of the suffering or trauma they have experienced, everyone has intrinsic value and dignity.
Because of my faith, I am able to view healing as a spiritual and holistic journey that unifies the mind, body, and soul rather than merely as a psychological process.
It teaches me to listen with compassion, to show myself and others grace, and to have faith in the silent force of healing that frequently takes place behind closed doors.
Through my faith, I’ve come to understand that providing care is a sacred endeavor that involves walking with individuals as they rediscover their sense of wholeness and purpose in life.
What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of women in psychology and human rights advocacy?
A legacy of courage, compassion, and authenticity. I want young women to know they can lead with strength and kindness.
My hope is to inspire a generation that sees wellness as justice — creating communities where empathy and dignity are the foundation of change.
About #HerVoice by Y News
#HerVoice is a special storytelling initiative by Y News that amplifies the journeys of women who are breaking barriers, shaping communities, and inspiring change across Africa and beyond. Each story captures courage, resilience, and the power of purpose — showing how women are redefining leadership in every space they occupy.
As part of this initiative, Y News is featuring 200 remarkable women whose stories reflect strength, innovation, and impact.