From fixing her father's TV aerials to being a civil engineer

Though she initially dreamt of becoming an architect, and at one point even considered becoming a pilot, her path took an unexpected turn.

"I didn’t even know what civil engineering was until after I finished high school," Sagini confessed in an interview with Citizen Digital. "I had planned to switch to a different course, but when I joined Jomo Kenyatta University, I ended up in civil engineering."

Her interest in engineering, however, was sparked long before university. Growing up, Sagini would often help her father erect TV aerials at their home—a hands-on experience that unknowingly laid the foundation for her future career in civil engineering.

Despite her early interest, the road to success was not without its challenges. "At the start of my career, my small stature was a hurdle. I’d give instructions, but people wouldn’t take me seriously," she recalls. "Over time, however, I grew more confident in my role."

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry also posed its own set of difficulties. "Sometimes, I’d encounter men who didn’t respect my boundaries simply because I was a woman," she explains. "But with time, I’ve grown and matured. Today, they refer to me as an engineer. It's all about the work."

Sagini's professional journey has involved significant responsibilities, including auditing collapsed and structurally compromised buildings. Despite the challenges faced by the industry, she remains optimistic about Kenya's engineering talent.

"We have very capable engineers in Kenya. While there are certainly some bad apples who have given the profession a poor reputation, the vast majority are hardworking and skilled," she says. "It's just that the good ones often aren't as visible."

For Sagini, the future of civil engineering in Kenya is bright, as long as the focus remains on continued practice and professional growth.