With days to August polls, two powerful Kenyan women entrepreneurs have been thrust into the limelight because of opinion polls, which have caused jitters in the political space.
Angela Ambitho is the founder and CEO of Infotrak Research and Consulting while Maggie Ireri is the founder and CEO of TIFA, a market research company.
Angela Ambitho has a strong passion for Strategic Management. Before establishing Infotrak in 2000, she spent close to a decade working with other information services and research agencies.
Her interest in research dates back to the time he was studying Bachelor of Arts In Sociology and History at the University of Nairobi.
On the other hand, Maggie Ireri is the Managing Director, of Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), an African-based market research company. She is also an award-winning research professional having been recognized by professional bodies in South Africa.
Their responsibilities in their organization mainly entail organizing the overall function of the company and guidance while overseeing and marketing the organization's regional and global business plans.
Angela Mbitho's passion and success in business started when she begun pursuing her MBA in strategic management. Interestingly!, she also attended the prestigious Bucerius Summer School on Global Governance, Hamburg in 2007.
Maggie Ireri obtained her first degree, a Bachelor of Education from Kenyatta University, before enrolling for a Master of Business Administration at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology - JKUAT. She also has a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Edinburg, Scotland, United Kingdom.
In 1999, Ireri worked with Steadman Synovate where she rose through the ranks to become the firm's Business Development Director. The company later rebranded to IPSOS.
Maggie Ireri served as the managing director of IPSOS Kenya Limited where she served for 3 years and 9 months before stepping down and launching her own firm TIFA research Limited.
The two powerful women are also members of professional bodies that include ESOMAR (European Social and Market Research Association), WAPOR (World Association of polling and opinion research), and MSK (Marketing Society of Kenya).
However, their companies have faced criticism from a section of political leaders who have been trailing in their recent polls statistics claiming that they are manufactured within boardrooms.
Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed TIFA polls after Azimio flag-bearer Raila Odinga edged him out in a popularity rating of 42 percent against Ruto’s 39 percent.
