Paula Githuku joins Rebel East Africa: ‘I fell in love with the company culture’
Paula Githuku (23) recently started as an analyst at Rebel East Africa, fresh off an internship she describes as ‘immersive’. Paula shares what drives her, who she looks up to and how one current project could improve access to water for millions across Kenya.
What was your experience like working as an intern, and how did you wind up staying on?
‘I am currently finishing my degree in International Business Administration (IBA), with a concentration in Finance, at the United States International University – Africa Towards the end of last year, I met my now colleague Prashiv at a networking event, where we struck a conversation and he shared his business card. At the time, I was already looking into advisory as a sector I’d like to work in. When the time came to do my internship, a degree requirement, I thought of Rebel.
‘I’d describe my four-month internship, which started in January 2025, as an immersive experience. I felt like colleagues trusted me and they really showed me the ropes. There’s a lot of openness at Rebel, it’s very different from more traditional companies. I got to learn from senior colleagues as well, and was able to work on different projects including the Dutch trade mission to Kenya, where Rebel was contracted to undertake the water track matchmaking. This involved setting up meetings between incoming participants and stakeholders in the Kenyan water sector, both private sector and government.
‘I immediately fell in love with the company culture and could definitely see myself working here, especially after attending the Rebel East Africa 7-year anniversary event earlier this year. Here, partners as well as current and former clients, recalled working with Rebel, describing our team as ‘excellent’ and ‘dependable’. It felt good to be part of such a team and I felt like Rebel would be a great place to start my career. When I spoke to the team about staying on full-time, they agreed.’
"I felt like my colleagues really trusted me and they showed me the ropes. There’s a lot of openness at Rebel, it’s very different from more traditional companies."
What current or upcoming projects are you excited about?
‘When I first joined, we were working on a feasibility study for the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company, KIWASCO, a water utility in Kisumu, a city in the west of Kenya. The company has high electricity costs because of its energy-intensive operations, including water pumping and treatment – a big part of the operational budget. Rebel was asked to develop a comprehensive strategy to implement sustainable and financially viable green technologies, with a focus on the solarization of water pumps.
‘This way, KIWASCO can cut costs over the long term and redirect them to enhance its services, expand infrastructure, and improve water accessibility for underserved communities. If successful, the model could be adopted across Kenya’s more than 80 water utilities, potentially improving water accessibility nationwide.’
What drives you in work and in life?
‘I would like for my work to improve people’s lives and circumstances. It’s also what Rebel aims to do through its projects. My intrinsic motivation is to be my best self, to constantly be improving and to embrace positive change and whatever comes with it.’
What do you think makes a true rebel? And in what way are you one?
‘I think a rebel is somebody who challenges the narrative and that’s something I’ve always related to. One thing that makes me a rebel, is my passion for activism and the underserved. I’ve always been passionate about human rights, particularly women’s rights. Throughout my education, I’ve stood up to systems I believed weren’t right. This way of thinking can sometimes get you in trouble, but I believe it ‘s worth standing up for what you believe in.
‘In high school, for example, I was part of the inaugural Student Representative Council, where we bridged a long-standing gap between students and administration, creating a platform where student voices could finally be heard and where students were part of the decision-making.’
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
‘From a young age, I enjoyed reading and literature, and that has extended to other forms of art, like plays and theater especially. I recently saw a play titled African Twist, about the vibrant music scene in the Kenyan post-independence period, when young African musicians came together to record music. It explores the cultural and political landscape of that era and the tactics required for survival and success. I am also passionate about learning new languages. I’ve been learning Spanish for the past three years and I’m also learning my mother tongue, Kikuyu.’