Growing up in poverty, Purity Ngina faced daily hardships that would have discouraged many. Like countless other Kenyans, she had to navigate life with limited resources—fetching water from River Sagana, walking three kilometers each way, and attending school barefoot. These early struggles, Ngina later reflected, shaped her resilience, determination, and positive outlook on life.
In 2002, Ngina sat for her KCPE exams and scored 235 marks—a result that fell short of her family’s expectations. Her late mother, though disappointed, encouraged Ngina, the youngest of her two children, to retake the exams. Demonstrating unwavering determination, Ngina improved dramatically, scoring 368 points the following year, defying the odds when many might have given up.
Despite financial constraints, Ngina persevered through her four years at Tumu Tumu Girls High School in Nyeri, earning a B+ in her KCSE exams. Her exceptional performance opened the doors to Egerton University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.
Her dedication to learning was remarkable. Ngina revealed that during her studies, she sometimes relied on sleeping pills to manage stress, but she often spent sleepless nights working tirelessly on her laptop. Even after the devastating loss of her mother, who had been her greatest pillar, Ngina channeled her grief into motivation, pushing herself harder to succeed.
Her talent and passion for applied mathematics earned her a full scholarship for a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics after graduating with First Class Honours in 2013. She later enrolled in Strathmore University’s Biomathematics program, simultaneously serving as an assistant lecturer.
In June 2018, at just 28 years old, Purity Ngina earned her PhD, becoming the youngest person in Kenya to achieve this milestone. Her journey—from walking barefoot to school to standing as a doctor of mathematics—is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the transformative power of education.
Purity Ngina’s story is an inspiration to all young Kenyans, showing that with hard work, determination, and self-belief, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome.