Young Kenyan entrepreneurs
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oa
Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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A boat thats making waves
Mr Thaddaeus Lebanon Muchuma
By JUSTUS ONDARI jondari@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Monday, March 21 2011 at 12:14
Over the past week, government officials have been visiting Ruiru Dam to observe a simple boat operating in the water just off Thika Road.
Unknown to many Kenyans, they were overseeing the testing of the locally-made boat, which is propelled by cycling a wheel with both feet instead of a diesel engine or paddles.
Thaddaeus Lebanon Muchuma, its innovator, says the hydropedalplane, as he calls it, is the first step in his big plans to build a ship.
In the short-term, this is ideal for water cycling especially in Olympic games, says Mr Muchuma, the managing director of Ninon Engineering Works Ltd, But my ambition is to establish a shipbuilding industry.
The 64-year-old, who holds diplomas in industrial electronics and structural and mechanical engineering, has toured countries like Germany, Denmark, Scotland and Britain, where he worked with various motor factories and learnt a few tricks in motor engineering.
As lofty as his ambition is, Mr Muchumas efforts over the last one-and-half years in which he has invested Sh1.5 million have caught government eyes.
Besides being supervised by the Kenya Industrial Research Institute (KIRDI), he has received a Sh3 million grant from the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), the institution charged with advising, promoting and coordinating science, technology and research in the country.
It is one of the 92 projects out of 357 proposals picked in early 2009, including a Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) solar drier project, being financed by NCST.
We have completed the mid-term review of 92 projects, which we have been conducting in the last two months. We are now carrying out the final evaluation, says Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak, the councils secretary and chief executive officer, who also was at Ruiru Dam on Wednesday.
Preliminary reviews shows that up to 15 projects have the potential of being scaled up. But Mr Muchuma and the 92 other innovators projects are the first in a series the council is funding.
In whats likely to attract public interest, the council has also set up a fund targeting young innovators without degrees or diplomas.
These are not inventions, which is something that no one has ever discovered or done. They are innovations, says Prof Abdulrazak.
They are currently reviewing 90 innovations among them a bicycle-mounted battery charger and a fish-baiting contraption.
We are open, to crazy ideas such as the guy claiming to be able to make rain, he says, Who knows, after reviewing them they could turn out to be great innovations.
NCSTs aim is to find a way of commercialising innovations and creating wealth for the innovator and the economy. The successful projects will not only receive a Sh1 million grant, but also stand a great chance of being linked with venture capitalists.
We dont need to reinvent the wheel. Instead, we should look at what has been invented and improve it to suit our local needs, said Prof Abdulrazak.
It is a move that Mr Muchuma feels could spur innovators to not only improve, but also mass produce.
If I can get equipment, I can produce 50 boats a week with each going for Sh900,000, said the younger brother of late sports administrator Jonathan Niva, who has been working on the boat from the National Cereals and Produce Board facilities in Nairobis Industrial Area.
The council, which sponsors the annual national science congress, plans to start funding winning innovations and researches.
We want to identify innovators at school level, he said, adding that good innovations like a cooler made from charcoal and a chaff-cutter that also grinds maize have been exhibited.
Daily Nation:*- Smart Company*|A boat that
eliakeem
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- May 29, 2009
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Acha kulalama, ni muhimu ukajiuliza binafsi umeifanyia nini nchi yako?
AU
Binafsi unatimiza wajibu wako kwa jamii/nchi yako kikamilifu? Maana nikiangalia nje kupitia dirishani naona mambo mengi sana ambayo ungeifanyia nchi/jamii yako. Kati ya hayo umeyafanya mangapi?
Sita Sita
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- Aug 25, 2008
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Hii kitu kuna mbongo mmoja alishatengeneza kitambo na ilioneshwa ITV.
Ngoja nijaribu kusearch kama walimweka kwenye internet.
F.Y.I. kuna mbonga alishatengeneza ingawa ya kwake haikua modern hivo. yeye alikua anakaa chini anapiga pedal kama kawa.
Tatizo hamna funding angeweza kuwa mbali by this time
Sita Sita
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- Aug 25, 2008
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Bado sijapata
Angalia hii kwanza
A Tanzanian boy builds Tractor from Motorcycle Engine | African Vibes Magazine
Angalia hii kwanza
A Tanzanian boy builds Tractor from Motorcycle Engine | African Vibes Magazine
- Thread starter
- #10
very good stuff sita
China,India,malyasia,vietnam were as poor as African countries during independence but they have invested in Education, reserch and development which has resulted in their growth. No country will develop unless it invests in education and R$D but our politicians seem more interseted in investing in the latest landcrusers. The Kenya gorvenment has invested in the Jua kali sector which actually employs alot of people.
Tanzania must invest more in this industry maybe in as little as bussiness skills trainning. The makonde have made beautiful sculptures with nothing but crude tools tourist pay alot of money for this sculptures but how much do the guys making them get?
Tanzania must invest more in this industry maybe in as little as bussiness skills trainning. The makonde have made beautiful sculptures with nothing but crude tools tourist pay alot of money for this sculptures but how much do the guys making them get?
Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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Kenyan lamp likened to CNN and Internet
A Kenyan entrepreneur, Evans Wadongo, has made history again after he is named one of three winners of the inaugural Gorbachev awards March 30, 2011. FILE
By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
He was last year feted for inventing the first ever-solar lantern. He has now added another feather to his cap.
The sky appears to be the limit for young Evans Wadongo, a Kenyan entrepreneur who has once again made history after he was named one of three winners of the inaugural Gorbachev awards for "people who have changed the world" at a star-studded event in London on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old Wadongo, the CNN 2010 Hero, joined the founder of CNN Ted Turner and Timothy Berners-Lee, credited with inventing the World Wide Web in receiving the award at the gala event.
The three were personally selected by Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union, and honoured during the event to celebrate his 80th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall.
"These three people have each, in their own way, changed the world for their fellow men and women in ways which affect all our lives," Gorbachev said in a news release.
Had not expected award
An elated Mr Wadongo told the Nation in a telephone interview from London that he did not expect the award.
He is expected to return to the country on Thursday before setting off again tomorrow for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend an African Union Youth Summit.
He was hesitant to disclose any monetary rewards, only saying he has a certificate to show for his recognition.
"Being nominated was just enough for me. When I was invited to attend the inaugural award, it did not dawn on me that I would win it," he said.
"It was therefore a shock when my name was read out. I did not expect it at all," he added. Mr Wadongo invented the first solar-powered lantern back in 2004.
The lamp has become a clean, healthy alternative to wood fires as a source of light and has transformed the lives of thousands of Africans.
His desire to provide sustainable energy to communities was borne while studying electrical engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
The awards have been organised into three categories reflecting reforms Gorbachev undertook as the Soviet leader, CNN reported.
Berners-Lee was given the award for perestroika, or reform, for inventing the World Wide Web in 1989, changing the way the world shares information.
The award for glasnost, or openness, was given to Turner, who helped transform the world's media with his 24-hour global news operation.
Mr Wadongo, 25, won the award for contributions to modern science and technology, or uskoreniye.
"Each and every one possesses the ability to make a difference and the Gorbachev Awards have been established to those who achieve this and to provide inspiration to all of us to try," said the former Russian president and Nobel Peace laureate.
Yesterday, Mr Wadongo said he was humbled by the recognition given to him by the former Soviet Union President.
"Being bestowed this award is wonderful especially due to the fact that it is being given to a youth from a developing country," he said.
Daily Nation:*- News*|Kenyan lamp likened to CNN and Internet
Ab-Titchaz
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- Jan 30, 2008
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Biera
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- Dec 7, 2010
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Innovators of kiling each other? Ocampo fanya mambo yako wapo wengi hawa.
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- #16
:tape:
Chamoto
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- Dec 7, 2007
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Dude, stop being so negative, if someone is doing something good give credit. Personally, I admire these Kenyans bros and sisters who give us some infos about their country. We so called Bongos don't do anything like that, all we know is whining (bit*n'). There was a thread here to promote out country at skyscraper city but no one gives a dang about it. When these guys give us a challenge we start our bit**n'. Guys let's be constructive.
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