Youth Innovators Shine at Kenya Software & AI Summit as Siaya Hackathon Winners Drive Digital Transformation.
By Editorial Team.
ELDORET, Kenya – November 12, 2025:
Three exceptional youth-led teams from Siaya County were crowned winners at the Kenya Software & AI Summit, held at Moi University Annex Campus in Eldoret. Their recognition marks a major milestone in Kenya’s mission to strengthen its digital economy through community-based innovation.
The hackathon, which took place from October 13 to 15 at the Siaya Community Digital Hub, showcased how grassroots creativity can power national digital transformation. It also underscored Kenya’s growing commitment to equipping young people with the tools to drive innovation and economic inclusion.
This success was made possible through a powerful collaboration. Konza Technopolis led the initiative, using the Jitume Program to position the Siaya Digital Hub as a key incubator for new ideas. The Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy provided policy guidance to align the projects with Kenya’s broader digital agenda. Huawei Kenya further strengthened the process through expert mentorship and its AppCube low-code platform, which enabled rapid development of functional prototypes.
Over an intensive 72-hour hackathon, thirty-five young innovators from Siaya including students from Bondo Technical Training Institute and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology worked in teams to build digital solutions addressing real business challenges. Their innovations targeted key problems facing MSMEs and SMEs, such as limited access to digital payments, poor inventory management, and market access inefficiencies.
With technical guidance from Konza Technopolis and mentorship from Huawei Kenya, the participants designed five high-quality, market-ready prototypes. Each solution demonstrated how local innovation can turn digital skills into tools that support small businesses and fuel Kenya’s economic growth.
The top three teams were:
- DigitalNest Team: Developed AgriLink Bondo, a digital agricultural management and marketplace platform that connects farmers, buyers, and financial institutions. It enhances transparency, market access, and financial inclusion for rural farmers through both online and offline operations.
- Sentry Team: Created Dhibiti Stock, an inventory and business management platform that helps MSMEs track sales, manage stock, and make data-driven decisions. The tool improves financial visibility, helping businesses access funding more easily.
- Solutech Team: Designed Kazi-Hub, a platform linking informal sector job seekers with local employers. It simplifies recruitment, promotes youth employment, and integrates training programs to build skills and improve job readiness.
These projects demonstrate how Kenya’s youth are becoming creators of global digital value. Konza Technopolis CEO John Paul Okwiri praised the initiative, saying, “Our digital skilling programs are not just about employment they are about preparing the youth to become creators of global digital value. The Jitume Digital Hubs are crucial decentralized nodes of the Silicon Savannah.”
Echoing this, Huawei Kenya’s ICT Academy Manager, Michael Kamau, noted, “The Siaya Hackathon ensured that digital prosperity is distributed across the country, not confined to one city. These three winning teams are new stars in Kenya’s innovation landscape.”
As the Kenya Software & AI Summit concluded, the Siaya Hackathon’s success stood out as a testament to the power of collaboration, youth creativity, and a nationwide digital enablement strategy.
About Konza Technopolis
Konza Technopolis is a flagship Smart City under Kenya’s Vision 2030, designed to transform the country into a middle-income, knowledge-driven economy. Also known as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, Konza spans 5,000 acres and focuses on science, technology, and innovation-led growth. Located 60 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, it aims to contribute at least 2% to Kenya’s GDP while promoting sustainable urban living. The project is managed by the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
