A 27-year-old man, Fredrick Onyango Oyamo has caught the attention of many Kenyans after a car he transformed into a chopper was spotted around Bus Station within Nairobi's Central Business District(CBD) .
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, March 23, Fred, as he is commonly known, estimated that the helicopter, christened Boeing 254, would begin operations in the following month, after its completion.
According to the self-made engineer, the helicopter was made from waste material and items donated by Kenyans.
His passion for conserving the environment and reducing waste drove him to innovate several items from waste including the helicopter which was his latest project.
He detailed that he used carton boxes, well-cut glasses and seats from matatus that were no longer in use.
“I am building the chopper from readily available materials and for some that have to be purchased, I use money sent to me by well-wishers to buy them.
“The dashboard is made from carton boxes but it has screens for transmission and a camera that is used to check where we are flying to. The final touch is the paint to make it look beautiful,” Fred explained.
Fred noted that he was training a 20-year-old who would help him in the operation and management of his project.
“People are calling it a chopper tuk-tuk but this is not a tuk-tuk. It is a helicopter because it will be able to fly and it is also a car because it has four wheels and can be driven on the road.
“I will charge about Ksh1000 for example for a trip to Westlands from town but when transporting many passengers at a time the charges will be lower,” stated Fred.
Fred was not always as sure of his dreams and abilities because of the difficult childhood he had on the streets after his parents separated in 2004.
While living on the streets of Nairobi with other young boys, he began collecting items and transforming them into products that dazzled his friends.
“I lived on the streets for 5 years before a pastor took me in and helped me to have a better life by maintaining cleanliness and utilising my talent.
“On the streets, I still made items and people would pass by and look at them. That is how the pastor found me,” noted Fred.
Other projects by Fred include the innovation of a car-like toy whose engine used water heated by solar panels mounted on top of the vehicle.
Additionally, the innovator revealed that he was making a Television that could operate without electricity.
“I am working on several things but the one I want to release next is a TV that does not use electricity to operate,” added Fred.
His dream, however, is to create a machine that will collect trash around the city and containers that could be used by those affected by drought to store water and feed their animals.
“I do not like seeing trash everywhere and I want to change that. If the government supports me, I am sure that I will be able to develop many other things,” added the innovator.
Aside from his innovations, Frederick Onyango Oyamo runs a repair shop at Ngara which he stated was his source of livelihood.
To fly an aircraft in Kenya, one requires a licence from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), which is issued after the flight and medical training from certified institutions.
Other requirements as stated by KCAA include “Receiving a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor, being at least 18 years of age, passing the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas and passing the English Language Proficiency exam.”
