The occasion was the AI and Mobile App Development Awards ceremony held at the Kiambu County Headquarters, being the grand finale of a three-week digital skills training program that turned classrooms into launchpads for homegrown tech solutions.
Eighteen youth groups drawn from across the county had spent the past weeks immersed in a hybrid learning experience that involved two weeks of physical sessions, followed by a week of virtual training, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs, Sports and Communication in collaboration with the Kenya National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and fully funded by the Kiambu County Government.
Each team took on the challenge of building an app guided by one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), proving that coding can be more than just a skill. It can be a force for good.
From environmental conservation to mental health and education access, the apps reflected the hopes, challenges and ingenuity of a generation determined to make a difference.
Group 4 developed Carbonwise, a user-friendly tool to help reduce carbon footprints. Group 10 focused on mental well-being among youth with an app that connects users to support and resources. Group 11’s Bookness wowed judges with its mission to break barriers to information access.
“With Bookness, we want every student, even in remote areas, to have access to knowledge. Books should not be a privilege, but a right,” said Aisha Wanjiku, a member of the group.
The top honors and a cash prize of Sh100,000 went to Mifugo App, designed to help livestock farmers manage animal health records and vaccination schedules.
Second place, which attracted a cash prize of Sh60,000, went to Kiambu Safi App, which helps citizens report waste and cleanliness issues in their communities.
Third place went to Justice Connect App, which simplifies access to legal services for underserved populations, earning its creators Sh40,000.
All participants received certificates of completion, but the real prize, many said, was the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and imagine new futures.
“This initiative reflects the power of youth-led innovation,” said Dr. James Njogu, Secretary General and CEO of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.
“These young minds are solving real problems using technology. This is exactly what our country needs,” he noted.
For Claire Mugo, a student at Kiambu National Polytechnic, the experience was transformational.
“I’ve learned so much, including coding, app design, teamwork,” she said
“I’m truly grateful to the county government for this opportunity. It has changed my outlook on what I can achieve.”
County Executive Committee Member for Youth Affairs, Sports and Communication, Ali Osman, hailed the program as a foundation for a tech-driven future.
“This program is just the beginning. We are investing in a digital future driven by our youth,” he said.
“Your creativity, passion, and resilience are commendable.”
The event drew participation from county leaders, including CECM for Water and Environment David Kuria, Chief Officer Godfrey Masolo, and Director of Youths Maryanne Kahuno, all of whom expressed pride in the achievements of the young innovators.
As the ceremony wrapped up, there was a shared sense among participants and attending officials that something larger had begun.
That these weren’t just apps, they were visions for a better tomorrow, crafted by young hands and hopeful hearts. And that in empowering its youth to build, code and lead, Kiambu County is investing not just in technology but in the future of Kenya itself.
by KNA
