School of Social and Political Science

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Why did you choose to study your programme?  Why the University of Edinburgh?

One of the key reasons I chose to study my programme is because I’m highly interested in International Development. I had researched similar Development Studies programmes within my country but wanted a different experience - mostly international. I pursed scholarship opportunities as this would be an easier way of affording to study abroad. I had a close friend studying at The University of Edinburgh who shared the University’s scholarship information with me. This sparked my interest in finding out more about the University. I realised it’s a huge institution, with lots of international students, and that it would be a great fit for me! When the distance learning scholarships for Commonwealth opened, I applied and I was lucky to get selected. That’s how I found myself studying International Development at The University of Edinburgh. I chose the course itself because it's an area that I really wanted to expand my knowledge in.

How did you get to where you are?

After completing my bachelor’s degree, my career started with a volunteering programme at an organisation called VSO. I was sent to a remote area alongside British and Kenyan volunteers, and my work there really sparked an interest in development issues. The work within the communities involved activities such as leading school-based peer education and training campaigns, organizing capacity-building workshops within the community, designing and implementing advocacy campaigns on key development issues affecting the community e.g. gender issues such as early marriages & FGM, initiating sustainable income generating activities for the communities, etc. Among other experiences, this experience greatly shaped my desire in understanding and promoting development. 

After the volunteering programme, I was lucky to get an internship with World Agroforestry. World Agroforestry is an international research organisation that deals with global research on agroforestry and environment matters. I started off as an intern in the grants management department, mainly managing contracts and stakeholder engagement. It was a support role, as I wasn’t a research scientist in the climate sector. I’ve now grown within the sector and I am currently a Senior Project Officer at World Agroforestry - currently known as CIFOR-ICRAF. My day-to-day work involves a lot of grant and contract management, managing of budgets, reporting, following up on deliverables, and holding meetings with partners and donors. It’s been a great journey. The organisation has been great to me, and I had an amazing supervisor who was very supportive of my scholarship applications and postgraduate studies. 

However, one thing that I currently seek is being more hands on in project implementation. My MSc in International Development sparked a greater interest in education development, and I did my dissertation on a curriculum that was implemented in my country, Kenya. I know there are many challenges within the education sector, and I am hoping that as my career progresses, I'll get opportunities to foster more education development and equality in education access among learners.

How have you used the knowledge and skills gained from your time at Edinburgh in your career journey? What did you gain from your time at the University?

My study helped me to greatly improve in my knowledge in international developments, research skills, and understanding of knowledge application in different development dynamics. With that knowledge and understanding of research, I’ve been able to query findings and contribute to debates at conferences, workshops and different professional set-ups. As the programme was distance learning, another key thing I gained was resilience. While studying, I was also the Student Representative for our class, which impacted my growth in leadership skills. Through my studies I realised I want to take up leadership opportunities as they bring forth more growth opportunities individually and professionally. I am now on the Executive Committee of Commonwealth Alumni Association of Kenya, where I support outreach and engagement projects in communities, alumni engagement and stakeholder partnerships. I have also been recently selected among the 2025-2027 Commonwealth Scholarships Alumni Advisory Panel, an opportunity through which I will play a key role in promoting the strategy development of Commonwealth Scholarships. Generally, my study experience not only boosted my knowledge and skills, but also encouraged me to remain more vigilant towards my personal development as I understood more, the power of people and wider networks.

What 3 words describe your time studying at the School of Social and Political Science?

Life changing, flexibility and perseverance. 

‘Life changing’ because I feel it has opened many opportunities for me, and I believe it will continue to do so. I wouldn’t have thought I’d study in such an institution. Over time, I have realised how lucky I was to have studied at the University of Edinburgh. My recent visit at the University during my summer graduation in 2025 was an incredible experience for me. From the Schools’ architecture to the diverse populations that it carries - showing how much the institution values diversity and inclusivity. This was an experience that remains with me forever, and I am hopeful to have a chance to further my studies there in person someday. Also, in my current applications I feel like I get more recognised, receive better feedback, and get to better stages of interviews. I am hopeful there are more opportunities coming up soon. 

‘Flexibility’ because the programme required a lot of it. Distance learning means you're juggling work, studies, family and everything in between. There's a lot to deal with, and one couldn’t succeed if they were not flexible and great planners of their time. With the flexibility also came sacrifice, which was a core requirement of this mode of study since you are juggling different things at the same time. However, at the end of it all, the word that sticks most is fulfilling. The sacrifice was worth it all. 

‘Perseverance’ because the schedule demanded a little more from you. The programme was great, but it needed you to put in the work in research and studying. There was a lot of perseverance needed for that. Those are the key words, but there are many more great things that I gained from the programme!

What is your favourite memory from your time studying at the University of Edinburgh (or SPS)? 

I’m going to share two, because I don't know how to separate them! One is my dissertation. Not because I feel like I scored the best in it (I feel I have room for improvement in the area), but because I was able to use the knowledge gained from my studies to do my research. That research meant I realised I can contribute to the field that I'm really passionate about. I always say I am a product of mentorship, both through the Commonwealth scholarship and many other opportunities that have been given to me. Being able to realise that I can contribute to a sector that has been so helpful to me is a great achievement. 

Another highlight was coming to Edinburgh for my graduation in July 2025. I was meant to graduate last year but had challenges getting my visa. At home, some people said, “you can just graduate online.” But pushing through to go to Edinburgh and experience the University for myself was the best decision I made for myself. It culminated everything about my MSc studies journey. Had I not come for my graduation physically, I wouldn't have experienced the University and its beautiful culture.

What advice would you give yourself if you were just starting your academic journey?

The advice that I’d give to myself is to just start. Start afraid, start confused. Just start. You will figure it out along the way. 

I think that the majority suffer from imposter syndrome and fail to start on actioning on their desires. Despite the challenges, as the saying goes, where there is a will, you will definitely have a way. 

That’s been my journey, and I'm grateful that I now feel I'm inspiring other people to begin or further their studies within great institutions that they desire to join. You can study here if you aspire to. If you're serious about it, you can get those opportunities and you can grow as much as you want to. Just start.

Written 2025