The Chronicles of a Tech Adventurer

The Testing Ground: Where It All Began: Episode 1?

From Sugarless Coffee to the Sugarly ‘island’ Samsung, "Fortune favours those who answer unexpected calls – even with coffee in hand."?

A small room in Nairobi, where the aroma of strong coffee mingles with the dreams of an Electrical Engineering student. The kind of coffee that's brewed so dark it could power a small circuit – or in this case, jumpstart a career. There I was, in that delicious state of lazy contemplation that only a perfect cup of sugarless coffee can bring when the phone rang. You know what they say in Swahili: "Bahati Ahuja kama mvua" (Fortune comes like rain) – sometimes when you're least dressed for it.?

It was Samsung Engineering Academy.?

They say opportunity doesn't knock twice – well, in my case, it didn't even knock. It called. And there I was, caught between the comfort of my coffee and the call of destiny. As the ancient wisdom goes, "Fursa huja mara moja" (Opportunity comes but once), and this was my mara moja.

The Lesson? "Success is when preparation meets opportunity – even if that preparation was just brewing the perfect cup of coffee."?

Sometimes the biggest opportunities come when you're in your most comfortable moments. The trick isn't in being ready; it's in being willing to put down your coffee cup when destiny calls.?

*And for those wondering – yes, I did eventually finish that cup of coffee. But by then, it was no longer just coffee I was drinking. It was the first sip of a much bigger adventure.?

The Plot Twist: From Bug Hunter to Product Visionary: Episode 2?

Picture this: A fresh graduate, with other 30+ graduates sitting in front of multiple screens - Medusa Stand as we called it, as a Microsoft Software Tester in the only Microsoft Software Testing facility in Africa (back then) testing Windows applications with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a tester who’s just uncovered their new favourite tool in the tech stack.That was me, meticulously hunting bugs like a digital detective. Little did I know this was just the prologue to an adventure that would span continents and transform thousands of lives.?

The journey from Software Tester Engineer to Product Manager wasn't just a career leap – it was a masterclass in perspective. At BBO Limited, I learned that the most elegant code means nothing if it doesn't solve real human problems. Those 300+ surveys and 40+ face-to-face interviews taught me more about product development than any textbook could.

The Lesson 2? The Global Human Element: Remember my time as a Software Tester Engineer - I worked on the Mara Project, which today millions of users interact with the product globally - Microsoft cloud computing platform - Microsoft Azure.?

The secret wasn't in the complex algorithms, test cases, window servers, installations, or enjoying the crazy Gigabytes downloading Mcorp speed. It was understood that behind every click, swipe, and tap was a human seeking connection, entertainment, or opportunity.?

The African Chapter: Where Purpose Met Innovation: Episode 3?

Then came UMUZI and the African Coding Network – where the stakes got real. We weren't just building products; we were building futures. Managing 2000+ learners across Africa taught me that technology isn't just about innovation; it's about success, opportunity, and transformation.?

Lesson #2: Impact at Scale: The metrics tell stories: a 65% increase in digital pathway license consumption and, a 28% reduction in critical issues. But behind these numbers are real people – youth in underserved communities getting their first shot at tech careers, dreams taking digital form.

The Plot Thickens: Current Chapters: Episode 4?

Now, while working remotely for the last? 5 years,? leading global partnerships and diving into AI studies at IU International University, in my old age, juggling between employment, studies and entrepreneurship. I’m living proof that remote work is the future and? the tech journey never truly ends — it just grows more intriguing, fast-paced, competitive, and ruthless. Adapt, or risk being added to the growing list of those left behind by tech’s relentless march forward.?

Key Revelations from the Journey: Episode 5?

1. Technology is a Force Multiplier?

• A single line of code can impact thousands of lives?
• The right tech solution can bridge continents and cultures?

2. Leadership is Learning?

• Every failed test teaches more than every successful one?
• The best features often come from the quietest voices, have a notepad and pen in the bathroom you never know.?

3. Innovation is Iteration?

• That 38% reduction in online delivery churn? It came from countless small improvements?
• Success in tech is about persistence, not perfection?

4. Community is Everything?

• Those partnerships with SAP, Sanofi, Google, and Meta? They started with conversations?
• Real innovation happens at the intersection of different perspectives?

Personal Philosophies Shaped by Tech: Episode 6?

1. "Break it to Build it Better"?

• My testing days taught me that finding flaws is the first step to excellence and every bug is an opportunity for improvement?

2. "Scale with Soul"?

• Scaling isn't just about numbers; It's about growing while maintaining quality and purpose?

3. "Tech for Good is Good Tech"?

• Working with underserved communities showed me technology's power to uplift?
• The best innovations solve real problems for real people?

Looking Forward: The Next Chapter: Episode 7?

I'm more convinced than ever that the tech industry's greatest stories are yet to be written. And they'll be written by those who dare to: Question the status quo, Bridge the digital divide, See technology as a means, not an end, and Keep learning, growing, and sharing.?

To everyone on their tech journey: Your path might not look like mine, and that's exactly as it should be. The beauty of technology lies in its diversity – of thoughts, approaches, and solutions.?

Whether you're hunting your first bug or leading your first team, remember: every expert was once a beginner, and every innovation started with a simple "what if?"?

The tech industry isn't just about building software; it's about building bridges, opportunities, and futures. So keep learning, coding, keep questioning, keep creating – your chapter in the tech story matters more than you know.

My last big tech achievement was that I curated the SAP exam scheduling process that was refined and adopted globally by SAP.?

The quest continues, brave warriors! May your servers be strong, your code be bug-free, and your coffee be ever-flowing! ?