The room hushed.

Then her name was announced: Michelle Waruguru.

Cheers, rent the air. Relief, pride, a racing heart, and disbelief flooded her all at once. “It was both humbling and empowering,” she says, the memory still vivid. At that moment, Michelle had just become a champion at one of the region’s most competitive debate championships.

Prior to her fame, Michelle was a first-year student at Strathmore University, trying to figure out where her passion lay. In fact, debate was not it. She nearly walked away from it all. “I remember my first speech, comparing myself to others and feeling like I didn’t belong,” she recalls. That self-doubt drove her to quit the Debate Club briefly. But something, I call it the woman’s sixth sense or gut if you like, pulled her back.

She made the decision to be more deliberate in her approach to learning the art of debate. She ensured that she was consistent in her training, and this helped her build confidence. Speech by speech and many instances of looking at herself in the mirror and rehearsing, her skills improved.

Michelle Waruguru

Thanks to the rigorous preparation, it wasn’t long before Michelle began carving out a name for herself. She won her first trophy at the Mbokodo Open in 2023. This affirmed her belief that she could take the stage again and again.

Just in case you thought the victory came easy, preparing for the 2025 Olympia was a true test of endurance for Michelle. “Debate is a reading sport before it’s a speaking one,” she notes. She spent countless hours reading articles, analysing case studies, and attending practice debates. For a student, the process was grueling and, albeit tiring, given that she also had to balance her newfound hobby with her academics. She grew in discipline and time management. Nothing could be left to chance.

“What I love about debating is the method we use. 15 minutes of preparation, no phones, no internet; this pushes me to seek knowledge and be ready for anything. Debate has taught me to work hard, build confidence, think critically, and speak for myself,” she admits.

Unfortunately, there was a last-minute change in her debate partner during the preparation period. This threw her off-balance a bit. It threatened to derail the progress that had been made. However, it became a turning point. Teaming up with Kiragu Kimani, the two gelled easily and came up with smart ways of dealing with the ‘mountain’ that was ahead of them.

Kiragu Kimani

“He’s pragmatic and strategic. I’m more value-driven. We balanced each other out,” Michelle reflects. Together, they were able to execute a strategy that carried them to the top.

Winning at Olympia was not just a personal victory. It was a statement that a Stratizen must always fly the Strathmore flag high. It marked the continuation of the institution’s legacy of excellence. “It feels like I have officially joined the ranks of the best debaters in Africa,” Michelle says.

As the Vice Chairperson of the club, she feels more challenged to guide the newbies in the group. “Training novices, I now feel even more inspired to guide them, knowing that they, too, can achieve great things.”

While debate began as a hobby, something extra to do while she was not studying, it’s been a rewarding journey. It shaped her critical thinking, improved her academics, and opened doors to travel, mentorship, and lasting friendships. While at it, she stood on the shoulders of a great support system. Her mother, her mentor Shamiah Muchesia, and the entire Strathmore Debate Society. “They’ve been my backbone,” she says with gratitude.

To the aspiring debaters, she encourages, “Just do it. One quote I live by is, ‘When it’s scary to jump, that’s when you jump.’ Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak, even if you feel like your speech won’t be perfect. It’s all about practice, each time you step up, you improve. The journey won’t be easy, but the growth you’ll experience is worth it.”

With an even greater goal of bagging the Pan African Universities Debate Championship, Michelle’s journey is far from over. But wherever the road leads, one thing is clear. Anything is possible, provided she puts her mind and heart into it.

Michelle has stepped onto the stage, and she is keen to make her experience worthwhile.

Article written by Martha Ogonjo