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Hackathon Winners Crowned at Kenya Software & AI Summit
Three outstanding youth-led teams from the Siaya Hackathon challenge earned national recognition during the Kenya Software & AI Summit held at Moi University Annex Campus in Eldoret.
Their success highlights Kenya’s growing commitment to strengthening its digital economy through community-driven innovation.
The hackathon ran from October 13th to 15th at the Siaya Community Digital Hub. It laid a solid foundation for digital innovation at the grassroots level, showcasing how local talent can shape the nation’s technological future.
Collaboration Driving Innovation
The event’s success resulted from a strong partnership among key institutions. Konza Technopolis provided leadership through the Jitume Program, positioning the Siaya Digital Hub as an innovation center.
The Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy offered policy guidance to align the projects with Kenya’s national digital strategy.
Meanwhile, Huawei Kenya supported the process with expert mentorship and its AppCube low-code platform, enabling participants to build functional prototypes quickly and efficiently.
Hackathon Winners Crowned at Kenya Software & AI Summit
Empowering Youth Through Technology
Over 35 young innovators from Siaya’s local communities took part, including students from Bondo Technical Training Institute and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
In just 72 hours, they developed practical digital solutions for MSMEs and SMEs. Their innovations tackled key business challenges such as limited access to digital payments, poor inventory tracking, and restricted market access.
As a result, the hackathon demonstrated how Jitume digital hubs nurture innovation, turning digital skills into market-ready products that boost local economies and empower young entrepreneurs.
Building Viable Local Solutions
Technical experts from Konza Technopolis and Huawei Kenya trained the participants in software development, design thinking, and business modeling. With this support, the five final prototypes were practical, market-oriented, and tailored to local needs.
The top three teams were recognized for their creativity and real-world impact:
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DigitalNest Team – Developed AGRILINK BONDO, a digital platform that connects farmers, buyers, and financial institutions. It promotes transparency and financial inclusion while enabling both online and offline agricultural transactions.
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Sentry Team – Created Dhibiti Stock, a business management tool that helps MSMEs track sales, inventory, and performance analytics. It improves financial visibility and helps business owners access funding more easily.
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Solutech Team – Designed Kazi-hub, a job-matching platform linking informal workers to nearby job opportunities. It simplifies recruitment for small businesses and supports youth upskilling through training programs.
A Model for Kenya’s Digital Future
The success of these innovators proves that Kenya’s digital growth depends on collaboration, creativity, and institutional support.
“Our national digital skilling programs are not just about employment; they prepare youth to become creators of global digital value,” said Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri. “The Jitume Digital Hubs are essential building blocks of the Silicon Savannah.”
Huawei Kenya’s ICT Academy Manager, Michael Kamau, added, “The Siaya Hackathon ensures digital prosperity reaches all regions. These winning teams represent the next generation of Kenya’s tech leaders.”
As the Kenya Software & AI Summit concluded, the achievements of the Siaya Hackathon teams stood as a testament to Kenya’s nationwide strategy for digital inclusion and innovation.
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