Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has once again demonstrated its innovative prowess by taking the top prize in the 2024 Cleantech Innovation Competition, a collaborative initiative by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), the Embassy of Switzerland-Kenya, SICPA, and Strathmore University. Designed to support early-stage cleantech ventures aimed at addressing environmental challenges, the competition attracted entries from various Universities across Kenya. The event was held at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 2nd October, 2024, seeing a total of 420 innovations submitted for evaluation. MMUST’s project emerged as the standout winner, earning the first-place award of Kshs. 1 million, which will be used to scale and implement the innovation.
The project, which was developed by third-year students; Gilo Byron- Founder; Rajiv Rabare- Co-founder and the Chief Technical Officer; Antonate Ochieng- Operations Manager; and Tacy Emmy- Chief Marketing Officer from the School of Engineering & Built Environment (SEBE) and the School of Business and Economics (SOBE), addresses a critical gap in access to clean water for rural and underserved communities. This solution is designed to provide a sustainable, off-grid, and environmentally friendly source of clean water for regions impacted by climate change, particularly those prone to drought and water scarcity.
The brilliant minds behind the innovation.
Speaking during an interview, the Dean SEBE- Prof. Eng. Bernadette Sabuni congratulated the students for their remarkable achievement. She pointed out that this victory exemplifies the strong technical skills and innovative spirit fostered within the School. “This achievement is proof of the high level of education, creativity, and problem-solving skills we nurture at the School. I am incredibly proud of our students for applying both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to create a solution that addresses a real societal need while also contributing to global sustainability goals,” she said.
Prof. Sabuni also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration noting that engineers cannot work in isolation. “Partnerships with other disciplines, such as business, economics, marketing, and social sciences are crucial for the success of any innovation. Engineers provide the technical backbone, but it takes a broader team to bring the innovation to the market, ensuring it is viable and impactful,” she explained. She credited the students’ success to the holistic support they receive, including close mentorship from lecturers and exposure to opportunities like seminars, conferences, and exhibitions, which spark curiosity and innovation. Further, Prof. Sabuni encouraged the students to bring forward bold ideas and to cultivate a research and innovation mindset from the very start of their University journey.
The Dean SEBE- Prof. Eng. Bernadette Sabuni at a past event.
The Associate Dean SEBE- Dr. Peter Cherop emphasized the critical role of research in driving innovation and addressing pressing global challenges. He commended the students for their ingenuity and dedication, echoing that their achievement reflects the effectiveness of mentorship and guidance within the School. “Our mandate at SEBE is to foster research that leads to impactful, real-world solutions. This project exemplifies the forward-thinking and problem-solving mindset we aim to cultivate in our students,” noted Dr. Cherop.
He also underscored the importance of supporting student-led initiatives, noting that the current generation of students are tech-savvy, and capable of achieving great things with the right mentorship and financial support.
The Associate Dean SEBE- Dr. Peter Cherop at a past event.
The Chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, Dr. James Owuor, commended the resourcefulness of his students, applauding their leadership in innovation and their remarkable ability to develop solutions from their initiatives. “Our students have truly set the bar high for innovation across the University. This is proof of the exceptional education and mentorship they receive within SEBE. I hope achievements inspire others to pursue similar ventures with the same passion and determination,” he stated. Dr. Owuor also thanked his team and the School for their dedication to mentoring students and for continually refining academic processes to ensure they receive the best possible learning experience.
Gilo Byron (center, seated) holds the trophy after securing a win at the Youth National Climate Change and Water Security Innovation Summit, held at the Grand Royale Hotel in Kisumu.
Commenting on the project, the Founder- Mr. Gilo Byron noted that it was recognized not just for its technical sophistication but its impact onthe community, and scalability. Gilo also explained the team’s decision to collaborate with students from the School of Business, saying that he knew that combining technical innovation with business strategy would be key to turning the idea into a viable, sustainable solution. “Their expertise in market research and financial planning was crucial to ensuring the project’s long-term impact and sustainability,” he said, further emphasizing that this is just the beginning of more to come.
It is worth noting that this innovation was also featured at the Youth National Climate Change and Water Security Innovation Summit, which was held at the Grand Royale Hotel in Kisumu in July, 2024. During this phase, the innovation emerged as the best among 34 other innovations presented at the time, and the innovators were awarded a trophy.
MMUST’s success in these highly competitive events highlight the brilliance of its innovators and the University’s growing influence in addressing contemporary challenges through technology and sustainability.
By Caren Nekesa
