With her love of music and ability to sing, play the saxophone and piano, Kizzie Shako was hopeful that she would excel in a career in music, or, if that did not work out, find work as a flight attendant. But when she was sixteen the 1998 US Embassy bombing took place in Nairobi a few buildings from her mother’s dental practice and her life took an unexpected turn. The devastation she witnessed over the following days made her wonder how closure could be found for the victims of that terrible day and their families. Before a new school semester began, she was able to reschedule her A-level subjects at Nairobi Academy to a concentration on the subjects that would enable her to pursue a medical degree.
Once she was got into the University of Nairobi a few years later, it was time for the next chapter – navigating medical school. Kizzie opted to stay and study in Kenya, despite the option to study abroad and she does not regret a single minute of it. Medical school was a culture shock in many ways. Being a first year medical student at the University of Nairobi required a whole new level of adaptation from the comfort of private school. With persistence, passion and determination though, Kizzie successfully completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 2007.
A proud mother of one, Kizzie now works under the Division of Forensic and Pathology Services with the Ministry of Health. In 2012 she was seconded to the National Police Service as a Police Surgeon. Like the doctors on TV crime shows she has received training in various fields of forensic pathology, allowing her to unravel the mysteries behind not only death but those who have been attacked violently or raped. A fair amount of her time is spent testifying in courts in rape, defilement or violence cases. It is not an easy job on any day of the week and only one who has a strong constitution and the forbearance and attitude for problem solving can continue to thrive.
As a result of her work Kizzie founded Vunjakimya, a foundation borne out of observing countless acts of violence mainly targeted at children and women across all socioeconomic status groups. As part of its awareness work the foundation’s website has a blog to educate society about basic risk factors that contribute to acts of violence, the dynamics and driving forces behind intimate partner violence, sexual violence and child abuse.
We salute Dr. Kizzie Shako’s work that helps Kenyans who have undergone various forms of abuse get connected to the care they need and for being unshakable in the pursuit of justice in Kenya. She is living the credo “Utumishi kwa wote”.