Before sunrise in Nairobi, while most of the city was still asleep, a young Philomena Mbura would already be awake, her mind alive with questions. In a world where girls were often nudged toward safe, traditional careers, Philomena’s relentless curiosity set her on a path few dared to imagine.
Her childhood mornings were marked by the hum of city life, the rattle of early buses, and a relentless curiosity that would one day propel her into the world of data science. Now aged 29, Philomena’s curiosity and determination charted a course that would lead her from the challenges of her childhood to becoming a rising star in Africa’s data science landscape.
Growing up in Nairobi, Philomena’s fascination with the mechanics of the world was evident from an early age. “I used to like dismantling toys, dismantling remotes just to try and understand what is inside of them or try to fix things around the house,” she told Impact AI News. While many children her age dreamed of becoming doctors or lawyers, careers often celebrated in Kenyan households, Philomena’s interests were always a little different. “I used to say I want to be an engineer,” she laughs, “but I didn’t even know what kind of engineer.”
Despite the pressure to conform to legacy career paths, Philomena’s empathy made medicine an unlikely choice. “If I see somebody bleeding or in pain, I start to feel the pain myself. I don’t think my level of empathy can allow me to be in such a field,” she admits.
A Love Affair with Mathematics in School
Philomena’s academic journey began in local pre-schools before she settled at Loreto Convent, Valley Road, where she attended both primary and high school. Her passion for learning was unmatched. “I really used to enjoy school, like very much enjoy school. I used to look forward to school and I would be sad when it was holiday time,” she remembers.
Mathematics quickly became her forte. “I used to always get 100% and if I’d get something like 98% I would cry,” she says. Her natural aptitude was so pronounced that she rarely needed to revise for exams, a claim that often drew disbelief from peers. “I used to just listen to what the teacher says and do my homework and maybe even, you know, ask and maybe do like extra work.”
Computer studies also piqued her interest, though the curriculum was limited to basics like Microsoft Word and Excel. “It wasn’t very hands-on technical, but you’d learn how to do formulas on Excel, you’d learn how to do different tricks on Microsoft Office. So that was interesting to me,” she says.
Life as a day scholar in Nairobi was demanding. “I used to wake up very early at like 4 a.m. so that I would be able to be ready so that by the time the bus comes I’m picked up. I used to be picked very early. I actually can’t remember the time between five and six because I needed to be in school by eight and I used to be the first person to be picked up,” she says. The long commutes meant she was also the last to be dropped off, making for exhausting days that tested her resilience.
The University Hurdle: A Leap of Faith
Philomena’s high school years culminated in a stellar performance, just one point shy of an A minus. But the transition to university was anything but smooth. A bureaucratic mix-up with university applications left her scrambling at the last minute. “Our school didn’t apply for me. They didn’t apply for any of us actually,” she recalls. Armed with determination and a notebook filled with potential courses, Philomena and her mother raced against the clock to submit her application.
After careful research, she settled on Industrial Mathematics at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)—a course that was being offered for the first time in Kenya. “It felt like home to me, for lack of a better word,” she says. The moment she received her acceptance letter was unforgettable: “I remember screaming happy in the house. I woke everybody up telling them I’ve been selected. I’ve been selected. Wow.”
University life brought new challenges and opportunities. For the first time, Philomena was living away from home, learning to navigate independence and a new academic environment. “It was very enjoyable to be honest. Like it was hard at first of all, because it was far from home… but I can’t say it was difficult. I find that I am able to adjust to different environments… I knew I needed to adjust and I was ok,” she reflects.
Industrial Mathematics proved to be the perfect fit for her analytical mind. She dove into her studies, eager to explore the real-world applications of mathematics in industry and technology. “I’m a data scientist, but you can also call me an AI engineer. I’m in my last year in school for my masters where I’m doing engineering and AI at Carnegie Mellon University.”
The Zindi Connection: A World of Possibility
It was during her university years that Philomena discovered Zindi, a data science platform connecting African talent to real-world challenges and competitions. This encounter would prove transformative. “Zindi really opened my eyes to the world of data science and machine learning,” she says. Through Zindi, Philomena found a community of like-minded individuals and a space to apply her mathematical skills to pressing societal problems. She became a community organizer for Zindi competitions.
“The impact Zindi has had on me is immense. It gave me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to see the tangible difference that data-driven solutions can make in society,” she reflects. The platform’s competitions not only honed her technical abilities but also boosted her confidence and communication skills, areas she had long struggled with.
With Zindi’s support, Philomena began to see the broader impact her skills could have. She organised Zindi competitions on projects that addressed real-world issues, from healthcare to agriculture, using data to drive innovation and change. “If I can do it, anyone can, sometimes you just need someone to show you the way,” she says, eager to inspire the next generation of data scientists. “I’ve seen what Zindi has done for other people and has impacted a lot of lives just by being the platform where they empower people and even put finances into some of those things. Like when you become an ambassador, you’re given a budget. And you are told we can be able to sponsor one or two events.”
The Power of Community and Self-Belief
Looking back, Philomena credits her success to a combination of curiosity, resilience, and the support of her family and community. “My family was always there, pushing me to go for what I wanted, even when things seemed impossible,” she says. The encouragement she received at critical junctures, whether from a kind university official or a supportive mentor, made all the difference.
Her journey has not been without setbacks. The social anxiety that once kept her from speaking up in class still lingers, but she has learned to manage it, using her experiences to mentor others facing similar challenges. “Communication is something that I’ve really, really worked on to be able to get where I am,” she says.
Today, Philomena is more than a data scientist—she is a role model for young women in STEM across Africa. Her message is simple but profound: “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. Find what you love, work hard, and seek out communities that support your growth.
She continues to advocate for greater awareness of the diverse career paths available to young people, particularly in fields like data science that are often overlooked. “I think it’s a gap, maybe that’s in our system where we were not actually being educated on what being in the field looks like and what you can aim towards,” she notes.
Philomena is determined to play a part in shaping Africa’s AI future. She envisions a continent where data-driven solutions are harnessed to solve local problems, create jobs, and drive sustainable development. “The opportunities are endless if we invest in education, mentorship, and platforms like Zindi that connect talent to real-world challenges,” she says. “Create your portfolio, have the skills, work on it, put yourself out there, share the work that you’re doing. Even if you’re wrong, you will get better.”
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