By Linet Amuli - Reporter
When three youth-led teams from Siaya County set out to compete in a local hackathon, few imagined their innovations would soon earn national recognition. Yet, at the Kenya Software & AI Summit held at Moi University’s Annex Campus in Eldoret early this week, their ideas took center stage, proof that talent and creativity can flourish far beyond Kenya’s tech capitals.
The winning teams: DigitalNest, Sentry, and Solutech, rose from the Siaya Hackathon Challenge, a 72-hour innovation marathon held between October 13 and 15 at the Siaya Community Digital Hub. The event was more than just a competition; it was a spark of hope, collaboration, and discovery for young minds eager to shape Kenya’s digital future.
Through the Jitume Program led by Konza Technopolis, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, the hackathon became a bridge connecting youthful ambition with national transformation goals. Huawei Kenya added another layer of support, mentoring participants and giving them access to its AppCube low-code platform, which enabled rapid prototyping of their ideas.
From 35 participants; students, innovators, and dreamers from institutions like Bondo Technical Training Institute and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, emerged three outstanding teams whose projects offered practical solutions to challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs):
DigitalNest Team created AGRILINK BONDO, an agricultural management and marketplace platform connecting farmers, buyers, and financial institutions, turning agriculture into a more connected, data-driven enterprise.
Sentry Team developed Dhibiti Stock, a digital inventory and business management solution helping MSMEs track sales and operations in real time, while using data analytics to improve decisions and boost financial discipline.
Solutech Team introduced Kazi-Hub, a platform linking job seekers in the informal sector with nearby employment opportunities bringing dignity and access to thousands who often go unseen in the job market.
For these young innovators, the recognition at the national summit wasn’t just about winning. It was about possibility.
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John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, praised the youth for proving that Kenya’s digital revolution is powered by talent from every corner of the country.
“Our national digital skilling programs are not just about employment. They are about preparing the youth to become creators of global digital value,” he said. “The Jitume Digital Hubs are becoming decentralized nodes of the Silicon Savannah.”
Michael Kamau, ICT Academy Manager at Huawei Kenya, emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative.
“We want digital prosperity to reach every region,” he said. “These three winning teams represent the growing constellation of innovators driving Kenya’s digital future.”
Their journey from Siaya to Eldoret is a powerful reminder that innovation doesn’t belong only to big cities or tech giants. With the right opportunities and mentorship, even the smallest community can become a cradle of invention.
For the youth of Siaya, this victory is more than an achievement. It’s a signal to their peers across Kenya: the future is digital, and it begins with daring to dream.
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