Sylvia Kasanga is multitalented. She has been a nominated senator in the 12th Parliament from 2017-2022.
Today she is an architect running her architectural firm, Sycum Solutions for the past 21 years.
She is also an arbitrator, listening to construction-related cases at the domestic level for 15 years now. Recently, the 48-year-old has stepped into the international platform listening to international disputes. The mother of two spoke about her career and political journey.
My first choice was a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Nairobi. When the university admission letter came, I was called to study architecture at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat).
I didn’t even know what architecture was. A professor at Jkuat explained it to me and encouraged me to try it for a year. By the end of that year, I knew it was for me.
You jumped right into self-employment at a time when many graduates sought employment. What emboldened you?
I was clear in my mind that I wanted to be self-employed. I was happy to struggle through it and I had the backing of my parents. They were my first clients.
Business was tough at the start. I ran a tour firm alongside architecture until my first big project came in 2005. It was a 42-apartment unit in Nairobi. That developer became a long-term client and helped me grow the firm.
What kind of architecture do you enjoy most?
I'm strong in design. No designs leave my office without my input. I'm the type of person who can tell you good concrete just from listening to it being poured or by smelling it.
I am also very particular about contract management, especially because of my arbitration work where I see many disputes arising from contract disagreements.
You've been lucky to sit on many boards...
Yes, I serve on several boards. I serve on the board of Lukenya Schools.
At Lukenya University, I'm the chairperson of the board of trustees. I'm the founding and interim president of the Architects Alliance.
I sit on the board of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya, and also on the board of the Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation. Internationally, I represent Kenya at the International Commercial Chamber of Commerce, ICC, as a court member in the Court of Arbitration.
How did you get into arbitration?
My late father introduced me to arbitration. He would tell me, “Arbitration is for non-lawyers especially experts in a certain industry.” As an architect, I realised I was already resolving disputes on-site. Arbitration just put structure to something I was already doing.
It is interesting that being the team leader in construction, we're always resolving disputes. We just don't put a title to it but we are the first call of intervention when there's an issue on site. Whether it involves a subcontractor, contractor, consultant or developer.
We are used to resolving disputes. It's just that we've never put a title to it. What arbitration does is put a structure into it.
Arbitration is designed so that you as an industry expert can come in, learn the law of contract, and the law of evidence. That way, any matter befalling you as an industry expert, you can already see the problem.
As an arbitrator, you will be unravelling contractual issues that you also understand. The biggest benefit I have as an arbitrator is I can now go back to the people in my firm and tell them the things they need to be cautious about to avoid disputes.
How does one become an arbitrator?
You start with an entry course at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and become an associate. Then you do more training and pupillage to become a member, then you become a fellow. Currently, I am a fellow of the Chartered Institute.
The last accolade is becoming a Chartered Arbitrator after your peers review your work over some time.
Have you had any memorable cases?
One particular case was painful because it was laced with a lot of corruption. A developer had his son on-site as project manager, and the contractor was the son of a close friend. They colluded to steal from the developer.
It was really unfortunate. It was the sort of case where, even as an arbitrator, I probably crossed the line because of how painful it was.
How do you stay neutral in such emotional cases?
We are trained not to be emotional, to just look at the facts, unravel them and make an honest determination. You need to keep reminding yourself that the award that you're going to write is a final award that must be enforceable.
The winning party must be able to take the award, go to court and register it for enforcement. Therefore, you have to remove the emotions from it because those are things that can get your award challenged. As an arbitrator, you don't want your award challenged.
Once it is challenged or set aside, first it becomes public and everyone gets to know the arbitrator refused to look at the facts of the case.
So, we are always very cautious to make sure that our award can withstand the tests of a challenge.
What lessons have you learned from arbitration that impact the construction industry?
People don’t read contracts. They’re just a formality. Consultants often draw up poor contracts. There are tried and tested forms like the Green Book or FIDIC contracts, but people tweak them carelessly. Consultants often don’t understand the contracts themselves. There’s a huge gap in oversight.
How can this gap be fixed?
Capacity building. We're not having enough of it. This is one of the reasons we formed the Architects Alliance, which is an association for architects by architects.
Architects are introverted. We tend to work in bubbles, but we’re supposed to be industry leaders. We need to raise the bar. Through the Alliance, we can fight for the architects and be their mouthpiece.
Seems like you'd build a name for yourself in architecture, how did you get into politics?
I was nominated to be a senator. Nominations come by way of how you support the party. You have to be active and participate in the activities of the party. The party leader decides the list of nominees. In 2017, I was number one on the list, and our party performed, so I got the slot.
My party leader told me, “You are a professional. We’ve never given this seat to a professional before. Let’s see what you can do with it.” I scanned around and finally landed on mental health as my cause.
What drew you to mental health?
Young leaders from Makueni County told me about drug abuse. I was advised to look at mental health laws. A psychiatrist came to my office and gave me a crash course. I realised we all probably suffer and don’t even know it.
That’s when I knew mental health was my cause. In Parliament, we did a full campaign that led to an Act of Parliament. I didn’t spend a single shilling of my own. People came together. That showed how important the topic was.
Years ago, I had gone through therapy for post-traumatic stress but never thought it was a mental health issue. Everyday anxiety is a mental health issue that needs attention.
People need to understand that therapy is medication. When you're suffering stress and anxiety for whatever reason, there's a way to manage yourself that can help alleviate that stress level. Anxiety can later lead to depression if it is not dealt with.
How do you balance work and family?
Having priorities is key. The people around me have also been crucial to my success. My office partners, my house help, my driver, my assistant. Without them, I can’t function. I also have a strict diary that I keep to.
Everyone tells me I look younger than my age. They don't believe me when I tell them I have run a company for 20 years. You have to be intentional about work-life balance.
Make time for yourself. Exercise regularly. Watch what you put into your body. Peace of mind is everything. Therefore, live well with people so that when you sleep, it’s peaceful. Finally, pray and leave everything to the Lord.
What does your exercise and eating routine look like?
On a minimum, once a week when it's very busy. My target is usually twice or thrice a week: at least an hour and a half of a serious workout.
My body does not process wheat so I have replaced it with oats and quinoa. I don’t do complex carbohydrates like cassava. I eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Usually, my meal is three-quarters of vegetables, then protein, and very little starch, if any.
How do you navigate the challenges you have faced in your career?
The biggest one for me has been politics, not just national politics, but office politics as well. You go into an office and join a board expecting everyone is like you, only to realise they have other interests. That has been the biggest learning point.
How do I deal with it? I have to know my interests. I have had to stay focused and grow a thick skin to make sure that my intentions are achieved.
What does the future hold for you?
I know that the Lord does not put any limits on how you can exist. You are supposed to expand. Walk through every door that opens with grace and faith, and see what’s on the other side.
