I grew up in Turkana, a marginalized ASAL county where opportunity is scarce and survival depends on livestock and unpredictable seasons. I grew up as a total orphan. Life did not give me many options — it gave me responsibility.

In a place shaped by drought and cattle rustling, I kept asking myself one question:

What if there was another way to live?

That question led me to water.

My academic journey began at Kisii University, where I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Science and graduated with Second Class Honours – Upper Division. What started as curiosity about fisheries gradually became conviction. Aquaculture was not just a field of study — it was a practical solution for regions like Turkana.

In 2019, I began working closely with farmers and students across the country, promoting the fish farming value chain through trainings and extension activities. Whether engaging smallholder farmers or mentoring students, I learned that transformation happens when knowledge is shared clearly and applied locally.

In 2020, during my internship with the Kenya Fisheries Service at the Sagana Station in Kirinyaga, my technical understanding deepened. I gained hands-on experience in monitoring, surveillance, and structured fisheries data analysis. Here, systems thinking replaced theory.

At Sagana, I also led the development of a locally fabricated automatic bell siphon for the aquaponic unit. This simple innovation improved aeration in the grow-bed tanks, enhancing oxygen supply to plant roots and supporting beneficial bacterial activity. It reinforced a lesson I carry with me:

Innovation does not always require complexity — it requires insight.

In December 2021, I joined the Isiolo County Government as a Fisheries Officer under the Department of Fisheries Development, overseeing fisheries activities in Isiolo Sub-County. My role involved promoting aquaculture technologies, ensuring fish safety, maintaining quality control, and supporting farmers.

Once again, I identified a gap.

Data was being collected, but not systematically structured for decision-making. So I designed electronic data collection tools integrated with Kobo Collect servers, enabling ward officers to gather fisheries data efficiently, both online and offline. I developed:

• A Fish Disease Monitoring tool

• Fish Production and Harvesting tracking tools

• A Smallholder Fisherfolk Profiling tool

• Sales and Marketing tracking tools

• A Fish Value Chain Assessment tool

These systems strengthened planning, improved resource allocation, and enhanced fisheries operations across the county.

Alongside my fieldwork, I served as a part-time graduate assistant at Turkana University College, reinforcing my commitment to mentoring future aquaculture professionals. Teaching and extension work became two sides of the same mission: expanding practical knowledge.

Recognizing that many farmers lacked access to clear, experience-based guidance, I created Memeilo . Through this platform, I help fish farmers improve productivity and fish health using proven tools and technologies. I share practical reviews, step-by-step guides, and real-world insights to support profitable, resilient fish farming businesses.

Because information should not remain in reports.
It should empower action.

Looking back, the pattern in my journey is consistent:

Understand the challenge.
Design practical systems.
Apply innovation.
Share knowledge.

From growing up as an orphan in Turkana…
to studying aquatic science…
to strengthening aquaponic systems at Sagana…
to building digital monitoring tools in Isiolo…
to supporting farmers through a national knowledge platform…

Each step has built toward one goal.

Aquaculture, to me, is not simply about fish production.

It is about health management.
It is about preventive systems.
It is about data-driven decisions.
It is about long-term resilience in vulnerable regions.

My long-term goal is to become a leading expert in sustainable aquaculture and health management systems — advancing analytical capacity, developing system-based solutions, and working with stakeholders to improve fish health, productivity, and value chain efficiency.

The question that began in Turkana still guides me:

What if there is another way?

For me, that way is aquaculture.