Ngotho made her first international appearance at the 1988 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but was by far the slowest Kenyan performer in 96th place. She rose to prominence at the 1990 African Championships in Athletics where she was the double bronze medallist in the 1500 metres and 3000 metres. She was the Kenyan champion in both those events that year. Her first medal on the global stage followed at the 1991 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and her eighth-place finish brought her a gold medal with the Kenyan women's team (which included namesake Jane Ngotho, Susan Sirma and Pauline Konga).