When home, I’m just a mum: Legal expert talks law, leadership and living fully

In a world where corporate success often comes at the cost of personal identity, Lilian Waweru stands out, not just as a legal powerhouse, but as a woman unafraid to redefine roles. As Company Secretary and Legal Manager at SIC Investment Cooperative, Lilian’s 15-year career spans negotiating multimillion-dollar oil deals, shaping national legislation, and recovering millions through savvy dispute resolution. She is also a wife and mother to two daughters, Mwari and Wamaitha. But what truly sets her apart? She can change a car tire, bake a flawless cake, and lead teams with equal finesse.

What kind of childhood did you have?
I grew up in Nairobi’s Westlands area in a middle-class family. My parents were strict but fair. My mother was a teacher, and my father a businessman. If you know children raised by teachers, you understand the kind of discipline I’m talking about! My dad emphasised humility and hard work, while my mum made sure we followed structure. We had chores, we were never spoiled, and everyone knew their role in the home. I believe that upbringing made me independent and disciplined from an early age.

How did your parents shape your career choices?
Mum’s rules were non-negotiable. If you stepped out of line, you faced consequences. That structure made me comfortable operating within frameworks. Dad instilled a love for reading. Every month, he’d take us to bookstores, let us pick any title, then underline the hard words for us to define. By 12, I was a book fanatic. Those lessons on discipline, curiosity, and refusing to limit myself have always guided me. 

What was it like growing up in a house full of girls?
Oh, it was wonderful but also tough. I’m the middle child, and you know what they say about middle children getting the hand-me-downs and being often forgotten. I remember once asking my dad, "Aren’t you worried you don’t have a son? Who’s going to help you wash the car?" He looked at me and said, "You girls are my boys." True to his word, he taught us how to change a car tire, check underneath the car and even recognise the sound of a faulty ball joint. He never wanted us to think there were men’s roles and women’s roles. That mindset stuck with me throughout my life.

Did you always want to be a lawyer?
Not at all! I thought I would go into business like my father. When I got to Moi University, I initially considered business administration. But my mother wanted me to take law. A friend back in high school had once said to me, "You argue so much about current affairs. you should be a lawyer!" that sunk. I was good at humanities, enjoyed reading, and had a strong sense of justice, so I took the leap. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

Law school is known to be tough. How did you navigate it?
I quickly realised that I wasn’t the smartest person in the room. Many of my classmates were top performers, and it was easy to feel intimidated. I decided to focus on my strengths which are being results-oriented and determined. I wasn’t the most studious, but I knew how to prepare and deliver when it mattered. By the time we graduated, I was among the top 20 students in our class. That was a pleasant surprise for me!

Early in your career, you earned just Sh5,000 at a law firm. How did you navigate that phase?
Oh, that era! Friends in other fields were earning well, while I dressed in suits I could barely afford. My boss once sent me to serve court papers. Naively, I greeted the recipient with a smile. He threw the documents in my face! I learned fast that law isn’t glamorous; it’s gritty. But that firm taught me precision. My boss scrutinised every comma. Later, at DirectLine Insurance, I managed teams my age and that was tough. They would say, “Who are you to boss us?” I realised leadership isn’t about friendship, it’s about respect, professionalism, and leading by example.

You’ve worked in male-dominated sectors like oil and gas. How did you carve your space?
At National Oil, nobody wanted to touch exploration contracts. They were too complex. I dove in. Soon, they called me the “expert,” though I felt like a fraud! (Laughs) My mentor, Kivuti Nyaga, pushed me saying, “You’re the right person.” I studied global contracts, realising legal principles are universal. When foreign partners doubted a “Kenyan lawyer,” I’d dissect clauses like any London barrister. Eventually, I helped draft Kenya’s Petroleum Act. The key? Confidence and preparation. Oh, and thick skin. Men don’t pause meetings for pregnant women to stretch! But I spoke up, advocating for empathy in leadership.

What have you learned about leadership?
First, never leave anyone behind. In a team, there will always be strong performers and those who struggle. As a leader, your job is to find what each person does best and help them thrive. Second, professionalism matters. You can be friendly, but there has to be a professional boundary. Third, hard work and discipline set the tone. If you’re not committed, your team won’t be either.

What was it like working in the oil and gas sector?
At first, I knew nothing about petroleum law. But I took the files no one wanted, researched intensely, and soon became the go-to legal expert in exploration. That led to opportunities like negotiating contracts with global brands and working on the Energy and Petroleum Acts. My biggest lesson? The law doesn’t change just because you’re dealing with an international company.

As a mother, how do you balance career and family?
Balance is a myth. You have to create it. I work long hours, sometimes until 10pm, so I make a point to use flexi-hours to work from home occasionally. When I’m home, I’m not a legal manager, I’m just a mum. We play, talk about schoolwork, and just be present. My husband understands my work and doesn’t see it as competition. That support helps a lot.

What keeps you grounded?
My family, my faith, and simple things like taking walks in nature. I love hosting family and friends as it reminds me of what really matters in life. I also believe in living in the moment. We often postpone happiness, thinking we’ll enjoy life when we have more money, lose weight, or reach a certain milestone. But life is happening now. If you have a nice outfit, wear it today. If you have a chance to take a trip, don’t wait for ‘the perfect time.’

If you could put one message on a billboard for the world to see, what would it be?
"Live now." Life is unpredictable, and every moment is a gift. Don’t wait to be happy, instead, embrace the present and make the most of it.

Any advice for women navigating the career world?
Don’t let titles define you. Whether you’re employed, unemployed, a business owner, or in between jobs, your worth is not tied to a corporate position. Respect everyone – from the office tea lady to the CEO. And most importantly, trust yourself because you are capable of more than you think.

lmbuthia@ke.nationmedia.com