Resilient Kibra Graduate Jackline Motari Secures Visa to Pursue MBA at Quinnipiac University

Jackline Motari overcomes unemployment in Kibra to pursue an MBA at Quinnipiac University, aiming to solve environmental challenges back in Kenya.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 8:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

From Makina Village to the United States

The story of Jackline Motari serves as a powerful narrative of transformation and resilience within Nairobi’s urban landscape. Growing up in Makina village, Kibra, Motari navigated a childhood defined by both vibrant community spirit and significant environmental hardships, including frequent flooding and inadequate sanitation. These early experiences did not deter her; instead, they fostered a deep seated ambition to acquire the skills necessary to improve living conditions in her home community. Today, that ambition has transitioned into reality as she begins her graduate studies in the United States.

Academic Foundation and the Struggle of Joblessness

Motari’s educational journey began at Olympic Primary School in Kibera, followed by Nyabururu Girls High School. She eventually earned a degree in Water and Environmental Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. However, like many Kenyan graduates, she encountered a stagnant economy and the daunting reality of unemployment. Despite being "stranded" professionally after graduation, she remained focused on finding a pathway that would allow her to leverage her environmental background on a global scale.

The Turning Point: International Scholars Program

The trajectory of Motari’s life changed when she learned about the International Scholars Program through a friend. Accompanied by her mother, she visited the program’s office, transitioning from skepticism to decisive action. With a combined family contribution of 142,000 Kenyan Shillings, she committed to the application process. Motari credits her mother’s unwavering financial and emotional support as the catalyst that allowed her to pursue higher education abroad, providing the initial capital required to start the journey.