In her own words: "It truly is possible. My journey in tech”

I am a computer scientist and software engineer. Technology, for me, is not machines or code, technology is solving problems that are consequential and creating impact.

I was first exposed to technology with my late father, at home. I watched him repair machines and I was enthralled. I recall him teaching me to build and use our computer, how to type and play basic games like Solitaire. I was amazed at what a machine could do. I carried that curiosity with me into grade school computer classes and then high school.

Back in high school we had volunteers come in to teach us coding, and everything changed then. I learned that solving problems with technology was fun. From there it has been a more deliberate path. I got a scholarship to study software development at Moringa School and later attended university to learn computer science to build a better foundation.

But it wasn’t an easy road. After finishing university, I faced financial challenges. I didn’t have a laptop or reliable internet. I had no job, and my confidence sank because people constantly doubted me as a woman in tech. Robotics was my passion, but components were expensive and far out of reach. Without mentors or role models to look up to, I felt isolated. Imposter syndrome crept in daily, and I almost gave up.

The African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) was the turning point. It set me up with a laptop and internet service but, more importantly, it helped me believe in myself again. Through the Siemens EmpowerHer programme, I found mentorship and community. Support of women who had been down this road ahead of me, as well as the masterclasses, all bolstered my resolve to push on. They made me feel like I belonged in tech.

In 2024, I formed Kintaraa, a platform for anonymous reporting of gender-based violence, with three other girls. We developed it during the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) Women in Blockchain Hackathon in Kenya, even though none of us had any prior experience in blockchain.

We committed ourselves to learning, and our project went on to win first place. Later, we presented it at the Mega Hackathon, where it was voted Best Community Project. For me, this was proof of how powerful technology can be when used to respond to urgent social issues.

With AGCCI’s support, I also gained the confidence to apply for opportunities I never thought I was ready for. I successfully completed a month-long interview process and was selected as one of only 100 apprentices from thousands of applicants at Zone01 Kisumu. Soon, I will also travel to Germany for the first time to represent Siemens EmpowerHer and AGCCI on a global stage.

I aspire to pursue a Master’s in Robotics and AI. I want to use technology to design solutions for Africa’s challenges, while continuing to mentor young women and girls. For me, innovation is not just about personal growth, it is about lifting others as I rise.

To every young woman reading this, I want you to know: it truly is possible. I have been doubted, and I have felt like quitting, but I have also seen women before me break barriers. Dream dreams so big they scare you and chase them, even if no one else believes in you. Because I believe in you, and I am rooting for you.