In this
weeks review, News 9 Kenya sits down with one of the most influential women in
the field of public relations, to unravel the efforts and success she has in
the field of communications. In a Q
and A interview, Ms. Kiyeng explains
her field of work, the ups and downs she has to put up with for success.
Who is Linda Kiyeng, tell us a bit
about yourself?
Lindah
Kiyeng is a 27-years-old woman, passionate about media and communication. I own
and run a PR firm in Nairobi Kenya.
Tell us a bit about your background?
I was born
to David Kiyeng and Rossy Keitany on 3rd September1992 and I am the first born
in a family of three. I am also a mother of one beautiful daughter Leilani Bett
who inspires me to the moon and back and who I love with all my heart.
How did you drive the passion for
media and public relations?
I always
knew I was born to be a communicator, and public relations and media has always
been part of me. It is something that I have always loved since I was a young
child.
When did it all start?
I believe it
started in my early schooling life. I used to write songs and plays for the
school drama club. It is a passion that emanates from deep within myself. In my
world all I saw and all I can see now is art.
What would you advise young people
who wish to venture into your field of work?
Make sure it
is something that you love. Make sure it is something that is inside you that
you live and breath because if you aren’t passionate about it you won’t be able
to withstand the hurdles that comes with it.
What are some of the challenges that
come with your career?
I believe at
different stages you face different challenges but the beauty is that as you
get better the challenges disappear.
What has been the highlight of your
career?
Awareness –getting
recognition for my work over the past few years, has been an honour to me and
my business.
If you were able to advise your
younger self what would you tell her?
Be strong,
be courageous and all your dreams will come true and everything will work out.
How did you get into public
relations?
I had just
dropped out of Strathmore after I was dismissed from IT and I was so sad and
lost for a while then I did some soul searching and realized that I wasn’t born
to do IT but public relations and media
How was the experience in public
relations for you at first?
I have to
admit when I started I had no idea what I was doing I learnt as I went on and I
just moved on until I became good at it with time.
Who do you look up to?
I have to
say my mum Rossy Jebet Keitany -she made everything possible for me and made my
dreams come true.
Finally, where do you see yourself in
the next 10 years from now?
I see myself
having an international PR firm with offices all over the world. I also see
myself at the helm of a media empire and with number one talk show.