President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, August 12, marked the International Youth Day 2020 by announcing the winners of the Fursa vs Virus Challenge that was launched by the National Youth Council.
Speaking via a live video link, the president lauded participants for their efforts in rising up to the challenge.
He further thanked the Kenya Pipeline Corporation, Royal Media Services and Huawei Kenya Technologies for providing 47 tablets and 3 laptops for the winners.
"The youth are a vast reservoir of creativity. They are our most valued asset," he stated.
The top 4 winners of the Fursa vs Virus challenge were listed as follows;
4. Project Expan USSD
Led by Charles Mathenge, the project is hinged on tracking the spread of Covid-19, specifically in the public transport system.
He described it as a fast, easy and reliable way of sharing and consequent digital storage of passenger details for use in contact tracing.
3. Project Nataka Charcoal Briquettes
The project spearheaded by Johnstone Mwaruka aka Johnte from Luanda involves production of charcoal briquettes.
It consists of charcoal dust mixed with water and a binder: often soil, composted organic waste or paper. The result is a cleaner source of cooking energy with no smoke and minimal ashing.
Johnte revealed that his product would be available online as well as delivered to the customer's doorstep.
His slogan is Makaa Moto ya Taka Taka.
2. Project Jirani's Food
Peter Muchemi is the architect behind the project aimed at connecting travellers within the country to hotels offering authentic Kenyan cuisine.
The entire platform has been integrated in a user-friendly mobile platform.
1. Project Plant Signal
This was ranked as the overall winner in the challenge. Represented by Mercy Melody, the app is aimed at helping farmers tackle challenges posed by pests.
President Uhuru highlighted this particular piece of innovation and dubbed it a game-changer.
The app not only offers practical solution to farmers and real-time alerts on home-made solutions, but also offers a platform where the farmers can interact and market their produce.
Following the announcement, President Uhuru directed the department of youth to team up and support the winners.
He further stated that the government would aid in developing the apps to completion and eventually mass production.
Notably, he directed the relevant ministry to ensure that intellectual property rights were protected.
He capped off his speech by stating that the youth are not a 'side dish' but rather the main dish, before letting out a hearty chuckle.
The theme for International Youth Day 2020 is; Youth Empowerment for Global Action.
