Kenyan man living in Oklahoma, United States, has made life easier for a number of Kenyans after coming up with an invention that eased transportation across the country
Charles Thuo, who was speaking during an interview with Inooro TV, stated that his invention was working like the Uber app - except that it provided free services to its users.
He further added that his app, Apex Loads, unlike Uber or other taxi-hailing applications, was more advantageous for charging no commission and catering majorly to the cargo industry.
“It is an online load board that connects cargo owners with transporters to streamline the freight-truck matching process and facilitate faster payments.
"You can use the app to look for the parcel you want and choose from any location,” he explained.
The app is convenient for transporting perishable goods since it accords users' access to modes of transportation from the nearest point.
“Those who are selling goods will post them (on the app). For example; a person with sacks of maize in Murang’a County and requires transportation to any part of the country will post (the cargo) on the app, connect to various trailers available and settle on his most preferred truck (it could be the nearest one)," he expounded.
Founded in 2019, the app has been operating all over the world but received traction in 2022 when a good number of users onboarded.
“51 shippers/cargo owners/ brokers signed up, 1,511 transporters signed up and 378 loads were posted,” he stated.
The app, however, charges a subscription for users interested in its services ranging from Ksh620 to Ksh12,500.
“You pay a one-off Ksh621 monthly subscription charge as a transporter/truck owner/carrier and Ksh12,430 as a shipper or broker and conveniently access cargo anytime, anywhere on the Apex Loads app at no extra charge,” he explained.
Thuo graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
The invention compliments the budding tech industry in Kenya that has seen a youth develop ingenious inventions recognised globally.
For instance, a Maseno University graduate developed a technology curbing rampant mobile money reversals.
Another Kenyan shining abroad is Shanice Atieno, the founder of Romani Tours which is one of the largest travel agencies in Santorini, Greece. The business rents out cars and boats to tourists.
