Dr. Zippora Agath Okoth, fondly known as Dr. Zippy, is a vibrant and accomplished actress, filmmaker, and senior lecturer. Her journey in the creative arts and academia is both inspiring and impactful. With six one-woman stage shows under her belt and a portfolio that includes directing and producing 11 films, she has carved out a unique space as an “artivist”—an artist who uses her work to advocate for social change, particularly focusing on women’s issues and the African narrative.
Dr. Zippy’s passion for storytelling has earned her numerous accolades, including Best Solo Performance by a Woman at KITFEST 2023, Best Director at the WIFA Awards in 2022, and recognition at the Spotlight on Kenya Music event in 2006. Through her performances and films, she sheds light on the complex and often painful experiences of women, drawing from her own life and the stories of others.
Raised in Homabay, she identifies deeply as a country girl. Her roots have shaped her grounded personality and fierce determination. Her approach to life is bold and faith-driven. She doesn’t wait to have everything perfectly aligned before pursuing her dreams. When she decided to buy a plot in Kajiado County and build a four-bedroom home, she only had Sh150,000—far less than the Sh1.2 million the land cost—but she moved forward with confidence and vision.
She thrives on community and connection, often opening her home to host guests. For her, hosting isn’t just about hospitality—it gives her an adrenaline rush and fuels her love for people.
Her deeply personal book, Oops Zippy! The Diary of a Divorced Woman, published in 2019, began as a one-woman play in 2018. It traces her experiences in marriage and her eventual decision to walk away from it. The play resonated deeply with audiences, but performing it repeatedly became emotionally exhausting, as it meant reliving those painful chapters. Turning it into a book allowed her to share her truth while creating some emotional distance.
Dr. Zippy went through her divorce in December 2012 after enduring five years of physical abuse, emotional pain, and betrayal. The experience left her navigating both personal heartbreak and the heavy weight of societal judgment. At 30, many told her she would never find another partner, that she should have stayed because “men are all the same.” But for her, the breaking point wasn’t just infidelity—it was the violence and lack of respect.
She is honest about the realities of divorce. To her, it isn’t something to romanticize—it’s a form of death, a deep, painful loss. It took her a decade to fully heal. When people reach out to her after reading her book, she listens without judgment. Sometimes she advises them to take a break rather than separate permanently; other times, she urges them to leave before the damage becomes irreversible.
Despite the pain of her past, she remains open to love. She believes in marriage and would embrace it again if given the chance—but with clearer boundaries and higher standards. Today, she values herself more, refuses to settle, and fully believes she deserves the peace and joy she’s worked so hard to reclaim.
