Kenya’s very own Wanjiku Kanjumba, just 21 years of age, could put the country in the global map if she succeeds in becoming a fully accomplished astronaut.
Kanjumba is a student majoring in astronomical engineering under the broader course of Aerospace Engineering at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida according to Daily Nation.
Just recently, she experienced the breathtaking feeling of ‘swimming in air’ while conducting a test flight simulation at zero gravity.
“That was really fun. I really did enjoy myself,” she said.
A last born in her family, she left Kenya for U.S in 2016 after finishing her A-Levels at Oshwal Academy Senior High. She completed her O-Levels at St Christopher’s Secondary School in 2013 before joining Oshwal Academy Senior High.
She secured a place at Embry-Riddle due to her good score in mathematics, physics and chemistry. This is her new home as she lives inside the campus. She does some part-time jobs though.
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, she is in her third year. This is because she had done the 13th year in the international education system which is tantamount to doing her first year in university.
“It’s a four-year programme and they require you to do various things; be it physics, mathematics or computer coding. They also require you to do humanities so as to be all-rounded,” she said as further quoted by Daily Nation.
Her specialty is astronautics which she said is studying everything above our atmosphere. “That’s the simplest way I can put it.”
Kenya is still making its baby steps in matters space. On April 2, the first satellite developed by the University of Nairobi and University of Rome was launched from an International Space Station in Florida, U.S to observe farming trends.
This has made Kanjumba very proud. “It’s great to hear Kenya is starting to get involved in space. Hopefully, this will propel more public interest towards the subject.”
A few days ago, she underwent five-day intensive training for people with an interest in space-a programme offered in her university, but by a different organization that is supported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The training known as Advanced Possum Academy trains participants on the basics of being scientist-astronauts where upon successful completion, one graduates as a as a citizen-scientist-astronaut candidate.
She learnt that she is the first Kenyan to undergo Project Possum training, where participants don flight suits with their countries’ flags emblazoned in the shoulders.
“It is definitely something historical. There is no record of a Kenyan doing this programme, so being the first Kenyan citizen-scientist-astronaut candidate has definitely been a historical moment for me,” she said.
Kanjumba has high hopes of landing a good job in her field of study as those who have taken a similar course at the university have landed jobs with NASA, aerospace transportation and manufacturer company SpaceX, aircraft maker Boeing among others.
She isalso open to the possibility of working in Kenya. “If there is an opportunity for me to come back to Kenya and if they require me to come there to start a programme, I may, and especially with the skills I’m gaining on the aerospace industry.”
She said her deep faith in God has kept her going all through her studies.
Her advice, “No aspiration is too rigid. If you have a passion for something, go for it and never give up. If you keep working hard and do your part, the Lord will provide.”
