Jacinta Wanjala Mwatela was born in Njawuli village in Mghange, Wundanyi sub county, Taita Taveta County. She attended Njawuli Primary School in Mghange, Taita Taveta County before joining Bura Girls High School for her O levels. She then joined Loreto LimuruHigh School for her form Five and Six. She studied a bachelor's degree in commerce at the University of Nairobi. She joined politics in 2013 and vied for the position of Governor Taita Taveta County, but lost.