This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Kenya's youth have been making waves in the innovation scene, creating solutions that are changing lives and giving us hope for the future.
According to the 2018 Annual Global Innovation report by Cornell University, Kenya ranks third in Sub-Saharan Africa and 78th globally in terms of innovative economies.
One such innovation is PowerYako, a management system that helps individuals monitor their electricity consumption in real-time. Developed by Mwaniki Ngatia, PowerYako aims to reduce the fluctuation in electricity bills by providing accurate readings.
Ngatia's frustration with inconsistent electricity bills at his parents' house sparked the idea for PowerYako. He designed the hardware and built it from the ground up, collaborating with other engineers to create a user-friendly product.
PowerYako's software and hardware prototypes are now ready, and the team is in talks with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to test the gadget's viability in an industry or institution.
Another innovation is Twende Carpool, a carpooling service that allows users to share rides and reduce traffic congestion. Developed by three friends - Ramah Kipkorir, Kiptoo Magutt, and Winnie Biwott - Twende Carpool has completed 700 trips and has over 350 drivers and 1,500 passengers.
Winnie Biwott, the Chief Operations Officer, believes that Twende Carpool will grow even bigger in the coming years, creating jobs and opportunities for the Kenyan tech space.
