Her name is Fiona Omondi, and here are the things that bring her pleasure: family, she is the firstborn of six siblings. Motherhood, she has four children. “Technically, we are also a family of six,” she says, pleased with her quip. And Rome.
She thinks about Rome often, and over time, an affection has grown for it. To some degree, she believes, this affection is reciprocated. Affection may not be love, but it is at least its stepbrother. “I am patriotic,” she says, “but Rome is special.” It’s not that she loves Kenya less, but that she loves Rome more.
The Chief Strategy Officer of Tradewinds Aviation Services, like Rome, plays on the glory days of her past – when she could play basketball, football and sprint, when her body did not ache as it does now. When she became a mother in 2016 and had her children back-to-back, the things that changed in her. “I am a neat freak, but motherhood has taught me to live with noise and messiness.” No matter how many times she says this, she laughs with the pleasure of the very first time – almost like visiting Rome.
What’s the most interesting thing that has happened to you this week?
Receiving this call to be featured [chuckles]. I didn’t expect it. I think I’m going to be the first family member in a newspaper [chuckles].
Are you living your dream?
Actually, my father works in the aviation industry. Not long ago, security was not this tight at the airport. We lived in Avenue Park, and he’d bring us cakes – or on some weekends, he’d take us along, leave us in the car and go get us cakes. From a young age, I wanted to follow in his footsteps and work in the aviation space.
What was your first flight like?
I think the most exciting thing – and I’ve never gotten over it – is take-off. I can still feel my first flight to this day. It was really exciting, and I didn’t sleep. It was a short flight to Mombasa.
How does your dad feel now to see you where you are?
He is very proud of me. He’s not very emotional, but in the last two years, he has been saying how proud he is. And my mum too!
How do you separate the leisure and work parts of your life?
To be honest, most of my travels are work-related. But my best travel experiences are with family because that’s where memories are made. I just see my children excited on a plane, in different destinations… It’s the best feeling in the world.
What did motherhood reveal to you that being a daughter didn’t?
It has taught me unconditional love – first towards the child, and then the child towards the mother. It also taught me that this is someone who truly depends on you. There are no days off, no breaks; this is a full-time job. When we were growing up, we always asked ourselves why mum was the first to wake up and the last to sleep. Now that I’m a mother, I totally understand. It’s the labour of love. But it’s a job you never tire of, and every day is different.
Having been a daughter and a mother, what would you do differently as a daughter?
I’ll celebrate my children, no matter how little they have done – and their achievements too. I’ll be more open-minded. Growing up, it was all about education. I would still guide them, but I would follow what they love. My son is a passionate footballer, and he loves it when I go to his games.
What’s an underrated joy of motherhood?
The noise and messiness. I realised this because I am a neat freak. When they go for a sleepover, I miss that noise. And when they come back from school and tell me about their day, those are moments that are truly special.
What did motherhood change about success for you?
Growing up, I was very athletic. I played football, basketball and did short sprints – 100m and 200m. I was very competitive, sometimes with people, but it got to a point where I started competing with myself. I want to be the best at everything I do. The moment I held my firstborn, everything changed. Success now means raising responsible individuals for the community and ensuring my children are happy.
What assumptions about working mothers annoy you the most?
That’s a very emotional question because it’s something I’ve gone through. First, we are disadvantaged as women, especially when we decide to have a family. But the assumption that we cannot perform our duties because we are mothers – that really annoys me. Sometimes there is a conference, training or promotion, but they give it to someone else because you have a baby. They think that now that you’re a mother, you should be at home with your child.
How do you deal with that?
If we enter a room and we are all chiefs, don’t look at yourself as someone lesser. My mentor taught me how to detach my role at work from my role at home. At home, I’m a nurturer, a mother. At work, I am a chief strategist.
What do you miss about your younger self?
First, my body never used to ache as it does now [chuckles]. Second, the adrenaline. My husband says I am still competitive. I miss that competitiveness – being fit and just the joy of being young and able to do those things. Life was easy then; I just had to wake up, compete, study and come back home.
What would that younger self envy in the current you?
She would admire how strong, resilient and courageous this older woman is. When I was younger, I didn’t put myself out there. Now, that’s what I do the most. I take risks.
What’s your favourite childlike activity to do?
I colour, haha! Even my colouring book is here [shows colouring book]. I still do it a lot when I’m thinking. It’s also something I do with my children to connect.
What do you do just for you?
I usually take two trips a year – somewhere to sleep, pray and meditate.
When did you start?
2015. It’s something I must do. But in a year when I’ve given birth, I’ll do it once.
What’s the one place you’ve gone to that calls you back?
Haha! Rome in Italy. Let me say I am very patriotic – I love this country – but Rome is special.
Why Rome?
When I visited, it felt like time travel. Places I had only seen on TV – the Colosseum. And I’m Catholic, so of course Mass. You know the Pope is a big deal. The museum too. I don’t know if I should still call them the Romans, but the people in Rome are friendly and warm. It’s the one place outside Africa where I felt at home. Now that I say that, I’m thinking about the Scottish as well [chuckles].
How are you like the ‘Romans’?
First, very welcoming. Second, I love meeting people and learning about them – I think I asked you 10 questions before we even started the interview, haha! The people I met in Rome were very honest. There is a woman who told me not to buy museum tickets because the next day would be free [chuckles].
What’s the one place you still dream of going?
It has to be Greece [chuckles]. Santorini! I am hoping to go there next year.
Do you live by any particular mantra?
Plant a tree under which you don’t expect to sit.
Have you planted those trees?
Yes. Apart from being the chief strategist here, I am also the co-founder of Women in Aviation Kenya, an organisation that encourages young girls to take up careers in leadership.
What’s life’s simplest pleasure?
Family. We are six in my family – I, the firstborn of three girls and three boys. Now I have four children, and family for me is a no-brainer. It’s not perfect, but it’s joyful.
Are you looking to match your family with six children, too?
No. I consider my family large as well [chuckles]. We are enough. Technically, we are a family of six, haha! It’s a decision I made. I am a planner. I planned my education – I’d do my Master’s, get married, have my children back-to-back, then continue with my career. Through God’s will, that’s exactly what happened.
What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
Baby showers. They are gifts from my friends and family. I’m trying to think – Eddie, you should send these questions next time [chuckles]. My children are also a gift. My husband is a gift. Marrying me before church is also a gift.
What have you learned about life from your children?
Being authentic. And for sure, it’s your superpower. When I watch them, they are all very different, and no one is trying to be like the other. They are just enjoying life as they are, with their strengths and weaknesses. That’s something I’ve held on to since 2016, when I had my first baby. I am enjoying this interview, actually – I am learning a lot about myself [chuckles].
If you could teach the world one thing, what would it be?
Love. When you love someone, you care more, show more, give more, protect and respect – it all comes down to love. I am loved so much, and I’m grateful for that. Family is where I draw most of my love and strength from. And God.
How do people show you love?
Acts of service. My dad only started saying ‘I love you’ two years ago, but I always felt it – taking us to school, making sure we lived in the best neighbourhood. That’s love. You don’t have to say it, show me.
What’s an insecurity you have?
The one where you keep asking yourself, ‘Are you good enough?’ Imposter syndrome. Every time I walk into a room, it comes in. Even after you texted that you were coming, I researched and saw who else you’ve featured and wondered, ‘Am I good enough?’ But I took a course at Harvard, and that has helped me – because I am here by merit.
Is there something new you’ve been considering trying?
A foreign language. French, especially. My colleague speaks fluent French and worked for Air France.
What’s the holdup?
I don’t know. I start, then get busy. I’m a very intentional person, but I’m not intentional with this, haha! I just need to prioritise it, and I’ll be good. I’ve realised language is all about practice.
What are you thanking yourself for?
That I never gave up on myself. The Kenyan education system was tough, and I didn’t perform the way I wanted. I thank myself for working hard after high school and not giving up.
Do you have any regrets?
I just have learnings. Maybe I should have worked harder in high school – instead of playing too much football and doing drama festivals, haha!
What are you looking forward to doing this weekend?
Catching up with family. Trying to sleep in too – with four small children. Eat, laugh and call my cousin for some pork choma. I love pork [chuckles].
Settle this debate: aisle or window seat – and what does it say about you?
Window! If I don’t get the window, I have not travelled. When you are up there, it’s either land, water or beautiful lights showing a city or a country, or mountains. You can’t see that from the aisle, can you? [chuckles]
Not quite. Who do you know that I should know?
Chef Obo. He’s a chef who has worked in different restaurants and hotels. He used to be at BND Kiambu Road, but he has moved to Covo in Kilimani. He is a great chef. His food is mwah [mimics chef’s kiss].
