In 2016, the brutal murder of Olivier Masonda, a 23-year-old Congolese student, sent shockwaves through India. Masonda, a teacher in India since 2012, was killed after a racist altercation with two Indian men who demanded he vacate a rickshaw. His tragic death highlighted the deep racial tensions faced by Africans living in India. This event became a catalyst for Peter Ngugi, a Kenyan living in India, who decided to take a stand against racism in a unique and transformative way.
Ngugi’s journey to this moment was not an easy one. Born and raised in Mikindani, Mombasa, Ngugi was determined to make something of himself despite his initial disinterest in formal education. Instead, he became an entrepreneur, running a small electronics and movie repair shop. In 2013, a friend encouraged him to pursue a computer science degree in India, where he enrolled at KSR Institute for Engineering and Technology. However, the course did not meet his expectations, and Ngugi dropped out, feeling lost and pressured by the expectations of those who had funded his education.
Despite this setback, Ngugi’s resilience led him to a new path in India. After briefly working at IBM and experiencing a rise to success followed by a fall into depression, he found solace in volunteering and teaching children in Meghalaya. But it wasn’t until the 2016 murder that Ngugi found a purpose that would change his life and the lives of others.
Shocked and saddened by Masonda’s death, Ngugi decided to cycle across India to raise awareness about racism. Armed only with his determination and a bicycle, Ngugi embarked on a 5,000 km journey, cycling through seven Indian states. His goal was to foster open conversations about race, identity, and understanding between Africans and Indians. Along the way, he was supported by local Indian cyclists, received warm hospitality, and engaged in dialogue with schools, leaders, and the police, creating a platform for racial reconciliation.
Ngugi’s journey was more than just a physical one. It was an emotional and transformative experience that deepened his understanding of India and its people. However, fame brought its own challenges. After his cycling journey, Ngugi found himself battling depression once again, unable to escape the pressures that came with his newfound fame. Yet, it was through a conference that he met Indryani Mulay, an Indian businesswoman, who offered him a scholarship to study International Politics. This led to his enrollment at Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts, where he met his fiancée, Alexandra.
Together, they founded Skizaa, a platform that promotes intercultural interaction and helps teachers collaborate to create solutions for education. Skizaa has since expanded, focusing on data collection and analysis to improve learning outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Peter Ngugi’s journey from a young Kenyan entrepreneur to a champion of cultural education demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of listening to bridge cultural divides.
