Margaret Koech: Embracing Mentorship

My name is Margaret Koech. I am the head of the records department at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

Margaret Koech

When I joined the Women in Leadership (WIL) Program as a mentor in the first cohort, I expected to share my experiences and insights with my mentee, Dr. Cecilia Kiilu, a lecturer at Moi University’s School of Medicine. However, what I did not anticipate was how transformative the experience would be—not just for my mentee, but for me as well.

As a records management professional, I initially questioned what I could offer to someone in the medical field. Would my experiences and leadership insights be relevant? Could I truly add value to our conversations? These doubts lingered as we embarked on our mentorship journey.

However, from our very first meeting, my perspective shifted. I quickly realized that leadership is not confined to a particular profession or title—it is about vision, adaptability, and the ability to guide and support others. Despite our different career paths, our conversations flowed effortlessly, each of us bringing unique perspectives that enriched our discussions. Through our interactions, I came to appreciate that knowledge is vast and multidimensional, and no one has a monopoly on wisdom.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that mentorship is not just about imparting knowledge—it is about mutual growth. As much as I guided and supported my mentee, I found myself learning just as much from her. The exchange of ideas, experiences and strategies reinforced the understanding that leadership is about continuous learning and collaboration.

Additionally, WIL provided me with a network of incredible women, each walking their own leadership journey but facing similar challenges. The community aspect of the program became a source of strength, reminding me that growth happens when we step beyond our comfort zones and embrace new perspectives.

Looking back, I now understand that leadership is not about having all the answers but about the willingness to learn, adapt and support others along the way. The mentorship journey in WIL reaffirmed that every profession has something valuable to contribute, and when we come together to share knowledge, we become stronger and more complete as leaders.

Read more about the WIL program and the reflections of other participants.