This is part of a special report produced in partnership with Gleeds
Virginia Njoroge is managing director of Dyshatech Construction, a Nairobi-based contractor delivering civil engineering, building and water projects across Kenya and beyond. From apartment blocks and shopping malls to roads and diversified civil works, her company operates across multiple sectors – and she leads it from the front.
She was heading for construction from early in life. “I had a passion since I was a little girl,” she says. “I always loved STEM subjects at school.” That early curiosity – wondering “how does this building come to be?” – led her to study building technology.
Today, running her own construction firm, she describes her career simply: “It’s a dream come true.”
Njoroge built her business from scratch. After working for other contractors and learning “how it was done on the ground”, she spent five years mastering the fundamentals before making a decisive move.
“I had to start my own business,” she says. Starting from scratch meant risk, but it also meant independence – the opportunity to set standards, choose projects and shape the company’s future on her own terms.
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Visibility matters in running a business, she believes. “Every single day, my day begins in the office – I have to be a present leader.”
From there, her responsibilities stretch across strategy and site. She decides which projects to pursue and which markets to enter, oversees delivery, conducts site visits and supervises progress to ensure deadlines are met.
“I would never want to disappoint a client,” she says. Quality control ultimately sits with her.
A defining point early in her company’s life was the handover of its first major project, a 21-storey apartment building. Delivering a high-rise as main contractor was a turning point.
“Handing over my first project – that was a real milestone,” she reflects. It demonstrated not only that the business could compete at scale, but that it could deliver complex work to completion.
The building still stands as a reminder of how far she and her team have come.
The journey, however, has not been without obstacles. Late client payments remain one of the toughest realities of operating in the sector. “They say they will give you the funds at a particular time – many times I’ve had to go beyond that,” she explains.
Cash flow pressures, coupled with fluctuating material prices in Kenya, create constant financial strain. “Material costs are quite high, and the price fluctuations are challenging,” she adds. Managing those uncertainties requires resilience, negotiation and tight financial discipline.
Work-life balance is another ongoing challenge, and she acknowledges the sacrifices that leadership can demand. “I don’t get to spend so much time with my friends – it is a challenge and terrible at times,” she admits. Family, however, remains central. “I always find time to spend with my kids.” The balance may not be perfect, but it is intentional.
In a sector she describes as “male-dominated”, Njoroge is clear about what needs to change. “Many of the men in the industry aren’t so welcoming,” she says candidly. Encouraging more women into construction starts early, she believes, with parents and schools. “I would advise parents of young girls to let them pursue STEM subjects if they are interested.” Engineering and construction, she argues, are not only viable careers but marketable ones. “We are all equal to the task.”
She is aware that others now look to her as proof of what is possible, and says she makes a point at networking events of encouraging young women to consider the field. Mentorship, especially for young women, has become an important part of her contribution back to the industry. “I am grateful they look up to me,” she says.
For women considering a built environment career in Kenya, her advice is unequivocal. “Go for it. Go for it hands on – do not fear anything.”
Construction, she insists, is a “beautiful career path” that opens doors and introduces you to people from all walks of life. “Anything is possible in this sector if you go for it. You won’t regret it for a single day.”
