Zarina Patel, a Kenyan South Asian woman, has made significant contributions to various social and political movements in Kenya. She followed in the footsteps of Makhan Singh, the father of trade unionism in Kenya, and authored his biography. She also worked closely with trade unionists and labor activists to promote workers' rights and improve their working conditions. Zarina's diverse contributions include fighting for women's rights, saving Jeevanjee Gardens from land grabbers, working with organizations for the Kenyan Constitution Review process, and being a founder member of the Kenya Asian Forum. She understood the connection between creative expression and democratic space, and the benefits of conscientising the public of social, political, cultural, global, and economic circumstances.