There’s a saying, ‘One good turn deserves another.’ This adage rang true for Iladho Galgallo when she walked through the gates of Moi Girls High School, Marsabit, in mid-February.
Once a student in the same grey uniform, navigating hardship and uncertainty, she returned as an engineer and mentor, determined to light the path for others.
Growing up in North Horr, Iladho’s journey to education was anything but smooth. In her pastoralist community, educating girls was often considered unnecessary.
“Travelling to Moi Girls High School used to take me two days to travel on a lorry, because our road is very rough. Also, while in school, I experienced many other challenges. First is the lack of school fees. I was chased out of school many times. Sometimes I missed classes for a week, sometimes two days,” she recalls.
Still, Iladho held firmly to her dream of becoming an engineer. In her class, she was one of four students who chose to study physics. She continued with her studies and finished her Form 4 exams.
Although she did not earn top grades, she managed to pursue a diploma in Telecommunications at the Kenya Polytechnic (now the Technical University of Kenya).
“After my diploma, I started looking around for a job. I secured my first job where I earned Sh5,000, then I met a Safaricom contractor, Masaba Services, where I worked for three years, earning Sh15,000 per month,” she says.
While working as a contractor, Iladho met Lillian Kiambati. Lillian, the Head of Service Management at Safaricom, was a member of the company’s Women in Technology programme and a mentor.
Lillian really supported Iladho and mentored her until she secured a job at Safaricom, where she currently serves as Manager, Cloud Solutions.
Iladho’s return to Moi Girls Marsabit was part of the Women in Technology mentorship initiative aimed at inspiring more girls to pursue STEM careers.
“I’m here to tell them that if I made it through all those challenges, they can also make it,” she says.
Safaricom leaders reinforced the message. James Langat, Head of Regional Network Implementation & Operations, emphasised the importance of speaking to girls who may not have the same privileges as urban students, encouraging them to build strong foundations early.
Lillian, urged the girls to continue working hard and to draw motivation from the women standing before them.
“It is possible to become a successful woman techie or engineer because now we are breaking stereotypes, to just tell you that science and physics are easy. Because we have done it, you should also make it,” she said.
Also Read: From matatu tout to lawyer: Benjamin Kiprop’s remarkable rise and Senate ambitions
