Irene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (Crop Science major) from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Plant breeding and seed systems from Makerere University.

She has experience in plant breeding majorly in bean breeding having been a research student at International Centre for Crop Improvement (CIAT)-Uganda where she undertook her research project on Inheritance and characterization of cooking time, iron and zinc content in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) genotypes in Eastern Africa. She has previously worked as a research assistant at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and at International Centre for Fertilizer Improvement (IFDC). She has experience in agricultural research-breeding and office administration.