Jacinta Mutwiwa is a Kenyan mathematician and lecturer, and is among the youngest women to earn a PhD in applied mathematics before the age of 30. Mutwiwa scored 299 marks in KCPE.
Her academic journey shows resilience and discipline. Despite earlier setbacks, she went on to earn a First-Class Honours degree, advanced to postgraduate studies through merit-based support, and secured a fully funded PhD, completing it before the age of 30.
Jacinta Mutwiwa Early Life and Education
Jacinta grew up in Makueni County, began her primary education at Uvunye Primary School, and scored 299 marks in the KCPE.
She then joined Kiu Secondary school, a day secondary school in Makueni County, sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, and scored a B plain.
As a top student, she became the first girl from Kiu Secondary School to be admitted to a university through the Joint Admissions Board (JAB).
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Jacinta joined Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in 2012, pursuing Education in Mathematics and Business Studies. She graduated in 2015 with a first-class Honours, attracting her lecturers, who were inspired to sponsor her Master’s degree.
She joined Kibabii University in 2016 and enrolled in the Master of Science in Applied Mathematics, graduating in 2019.
In 2020, Jacinta advanced her studies by enrolling for a PhD at Kibabii University. She applied and won the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis for Africa (CEMA) fellowship, which fully sponsored her doctoral studies at Kibabii University.
The Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) is a multidisciplinary center at the University of Nairobi whose goal is to support the control, elimination, and eradication of infectious diseases through data-driven decision-making that improves health in Kenya and across Africa.
Also Read: Purity Ngina: Kenya’s Youngest PhD Holder in Biomathematics Who Scored 235 in KCPE
Career Background
Currently, Mutwiwa is a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Kibabii University and the Coordinator of Linkages and International Affairs.
She also serves as the board Chairperson of Uvunye Secondary School and as a board member of St. Andriana Kiongwani Boys High School and St. Peter’s Mumias Boys High School.
From 2017 to August 2019, she was a part-time diploma instructor at Kibabii University.
From September 2019 to June 2020, she was a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Mathematics at Kibabii University, where her role was teaching and examining undergraduate students in mathematics.
Recently, Mutwiwa has been named the best overall presenter with her presentation titled ‘A Mathematical Model for the Dynamics of Stress and Depression among Kenyan University Students’ at the 3rd Busitema University Science, Technology and Innovation Symposium (BUSTIC 2025), which was held from 14th to 16th October 2025 at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Mbale City, Uganda.
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Hi this lady is brave for having won a phd in mathematics…kama hujaolewa sms 0743902040 lakn uniulize swali la biology and business studies…ansante mathematician.
Am humble for your very great achievement Jacinta.Keep fire burning.Favour always
Great! Marks in final exams don’t define a person! Aptitude is internal potential that, when it finds fertile ground and excellent instruction and guidance, will shine!
Heartiest congratulations to Jacinta Mutawiwa on her earning Doctoral degree in her early age with distinction.
We can understand how difficult it is for female students in developing countries to pursue studies, particularly for those living in rural areas.
Jacinta should be a role model for Kenyan females to boldly struggle for higher education and should not be demoralised.
This is the need of hour for Kenyan society as well as country.
I have liked the news reporter called Morgan Wanyonyi he’s very perfect
The article is very inspiring. Seeing young people, especially the girls, from a humble background to become very successful in the higher levels of academia
This is a very sweet encouraging story of the young girl. I wish young girl can read this and buy a piece from her👏👏👏.
Congratulations
Much interested