Sammy M. Njenga graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Zoology & Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi, Kenya in 1990. In 1991, he was employed as a Research Assistant at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya. His initial work in filariasis was in a Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which sponsored a filariasis control project in Kwale District, Kenya.

In 1995 Njenga won an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) MSc Scholarship Award through Kenya’s Ministry of Education. He graduated with a Master of Science

(First Division) in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, India in 1997. Upon his return to KEMRI he was promoted to the level of Research Scientist in 1998. (First Division) in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry from Guru Nanak Dev University, Punjab, India in 1997.

Njenga has previously worked in WHO funded multi-centre, studies including 1) Validation of an immunochromatographic (ICT) card test for diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis 2) Field-based clinical trial on the efficacy of a combination of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole in the control of bancroftian filariasis and intestinal helminths 3) Multi-country study to develop community-directed treatment (Com-DT) for lymphatic filariasis.

In 2001 he visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA for a UNESCO-MCBN sponsored laboratory training in current diagnostic methods in lymphatic filariasis.

He is currently holding a Senior Research Scientist staff position at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya. His PhD work focused on the epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in Malindi District, Kenya and monitoring the impact of mass treatment.

Njenga successful defended his PhD thesis in 2006.