She started running while she went to Tamboiya Primary School and later attended Kapkenda Girls Secondary School. She represented Kenya for the first time at the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics, coming eighth over 5000 metres. At the 1997 IAAF World Cross Country Championships she won the junior silver medal and team title alongside winner Rose Kosgei. She was eleventh in the junior race at the 1998 World Cross then improved to sixth in the 5000 m at the 1998 World Junior Championships in Athletics.