Our Origin
Jenifer “Mariam” Adero Atego (1950 – 2015)
The story of Sunken Ltd begins with one woman’s quiet determination to create opportunity where none existed. That woman was Jenifer “Mariam” Adero Atego, born in 1950 in Goma Village, Yimbo, in what is now Siaya County, Kenya. She was the fifth and youngest child in a family of five — four girls and one boy — raised in a close-knit rural community along the shores of Lake Victoria.
Early Life and Education
Mariam’s early life was marked by curiosity and a deep sense of responsibility. She began her education at Jusa Primary School in 1957 and later joined Ng’iya Girls, one of the earliest centers of learning for young women in Nyanza. Her academic journey would later take her to Maseno, where she completed her studies with the strong foundation that would shape her professional life.
A Career Rooted in Discipline and Service
After finishing school, Mariam’s first step into formal employment was as a teacher at Majimbo Got Agulu Sub-location. Her brief teaching stint revealed her natural leadership and commitment to nurturing others — qualities that would later define her entrepreneurial journey.
Eager to develop new skills, she trained in office practice and secretarial work, paving the way for a corporate career during an era when few women in her community held formal office positions. She first worked with East Africa Industries (today Unilever East Africa) before joining Firestone (East Africa) Ltd, now Yana Tyres, as a secretary at the company’s Kisumu Depot.
For 23 years, Mariam served with loyalty and excellence, gaining the respect of colleagues and supervisors alike. She was known for her precision, discipline, and work ethic — values that would later guide her as a businesswoman.
The Leap into Entrepreneurship and Farming
In 1995, after over two decades of service, Mariam chose to take early retirement — not out of fatigue, but with a renewed purpose. She dreamed of returning to her homeland to build a future for her children and contribute to her community’s development.
With her savings and retirement benefits, she purchased a beach plot along the shores of Lake Victoria and began investing in farming equipment and livestock. At the time, crop farming was virtually unheard of in her area; most locals depended solely on fishing. But Mariam was a visionary — she saw the potential in the land and believed agriculture could transform livelihoods just as much as the lake had sustained generations before.
Her neighbors initially viewed her efforts with curiosity — a woman tilling land instead of fishing was rare. Yet, her determination and consistency paid off. Before long, others began to follow her example. The seeds she planted — both literal and metaphorical — took root, and over time, crop farming became a growing complement to fishing in her community.
The Birth of a Legacy
Beyond crops, Mariam also ventured into poultry and dairy farming, diversifying her operations and further demonstrating that rural enterprise could thrive with commitment and planning. Her dedication earned her the affectionate nickname “Nya-Goma Maka Dher Dume” — the daughter of Goma who rears bulls — a title that spoke to her boldness, industriousness, and pioneering spirit.
Her approach to farming combined traditional wisdom with modern techniques. She invested in durable tools and machinery — many of which outlived her — and emphasized the value of quality over quantity. Mariam’s homestead became a hub of learning, where neighbors and young farmers came to observe and learn new methods of cultivation and livestock management..
The Continuation of Her Vision
Mariam’s influence extended beyond her lifetime. Her youngest daughter, Christine Atego, inherited not just her mother’s passion for community, but her sense of purpose and leadership. Today, Christine serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Sunken Ltd, guiding the company with the same passion and principles her mother embodied: integrity, innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Under Christine’s stewardship, Sunken Ltd has grown into a social enterprise dedicated to energy-saving cooking solutions, solar water pumps, and renewable energy innovations that improve lives — especially among vulnerable and rural communities. The company’s mission reflects Mariam’s original dream: to empower people through practical, sustainable solutions that uplift families and communities alike.
A Lasting Legacy
From a teacher and secretary to a pioneering farmer and community influencer, Jenifer “Mariam” Adero Atego represents the resilience and vision that define Kenya’s women entrepreneurs. Her life story is not one of privilege, but of perseverance — of using what she had to create something lasting.
Today, every initiative, innovation, and impact made by Sunken Ltd is built upon the foundation she laid — one of hard work, compassion, and belief in the power of transformation from the ground up.
Her legacy continues to shine through every life touched by the company she inspired.
