#WeLeadComms: Victory Kamthunzi

Today’s #WeLeadComms honors go to Kenya-based communication leader Victory Kamthunzi.

In her words:

“My journey into strategic communications and policy engagement did not begin conventionally with a neat career path, but rather on a film set. Starting out in television and film in Melbourne, Australia, I learned early that storytelling is infrastructure. It shapes what people believe, who they trust, and what they decide to do next.

“Now over 12 years later, with more than nine of those spent in international development, I’ve carried that conviction across continents and contexts, from health systems strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa to digital diplomacy in East and Southern Africa. I now specialize in strategic communications, advocacy, and policy engagement for global development programs, working at the intersection of evidence, narrative, and change.

“What drives me is a stubborn belief that communications is not a support function but it is a strategic one. Too often in the development sector, communications is treated as an afterthought with teams called in at the final hour to polish a 120-page report nobody will read. I’ve made it my mission to change that. When communications is integrated from the start, programs move more effectively, partnerships hold stronger, and most importantly impact becomes measurable.

“I’m also equally passionate about ensuring that African voices don’t just participate in global development conversations but rather they shape them. Digital diplomacy and grassroots advocacy have opened new exciting doors, however only strategic, well-resourced communication work ensures those doors lead somewhere meaningful.

“Throughout my practice, I have tried to champion communications as a leadership discipline. My ambition is to help build a generation of development communicators, particularly women across the Global South, who lead with clarity, think strategically, and refuse to let important work go unheard.”

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