The Centre of Life

Nyokabi Musila talking at TEDx Nairobi

“We as scientists, are trying to create solutions for human problems,” Musila Nyokabi, medical practitioner and technology evangelist said. She realized that as a child she loved science, more so biological science which seemed to explain the mysteries of life in such a fascinating way. One night, after she had completed medical school and working at her first job, she was at a dinner party where Nyokabi realised she could make meaningful contributions to an array of topics and debates, because they had a science and healthcare bias, but was less eloquent on art related issues. This question set her on a new path and gave her a new lease on life.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a question that consumed her in her childhood. Nyokabi started to realize that she did not have to be just one thing, a scientist, and began to explore her creative side using different art forms. Her application of scientific methods of analysis, observation to solve problems found a new niche in exploring art and culture. She also started a blog as a means of self expression and to share her life experiences. Nyokabi explored art using scientific methods, she approached art with the scientific questions of “why” and “where” thereby, expanding her world, just like Leonardo da Vinci who was a scientist, an engineer and an artist did. You see the lines between science and art are blurry, where science begins and art ends is difficult to tell. Even more than 550 years after Leonard da Vinci’s death, and even now in the 21^st Century.

Science tries to solve human problems, but is isolated and expressed in “techie” terms that the rest of the world may not understand. In this way for example it does not reach the rest of humanity and solve problems as was intended. So there is a dichotomy between science and art, yet science must solve problems, and art must share the solutions with the world, each person working with both their talents to help make this happen.

Her exploration and openness to art resulted in Nyokabi gaining a reputation for being an “alternative scientist” which she said, explains why she was at TEDx Nairobi rather than at a scientific conference.

“What is it that you are passionate about?” is the question Musila left the audience with. She shared that in her experience, happiness stems from doing what you enjoy the most, and in this way you benefit from doing what makes you happy, and spreading your own joy to other people, so that they benefit from your doing your thing too. It is a win -win situation.

Discover what you are passionate about that you are not doing. “Reawaken and discover what comes to you effortlessly,” she said, that is special about you. That is how you are changing the world. Do the things that you love, who knows where you will end up.