Kenyans have continued to put the country on the map in the global sphere by clenching prestigious awards in 2023 despite the tough economic times.
A select list of Kenyan businesses and individuals from diverse sectors were recognised majorly for their innovations in the technology sphere.
Kenyans.co.ke compiles a list of 10 businesses and individuals who have been feted with various prestigious awards in the global space.
BasiGo
BasiGo won the top award for Mobility and Logistics at the Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa Summit recently held in Addis Ababa. The Kenyan startup BasiGo’s innovative Pay-As-You-Drive model lowers the barriers to entry for operators to get brand-new electric buses.
Peter Njeri
The Waislitz Global Citizen 2023 winner, Peter Njeri, has achieved major fetes in his career. Among his accolades are being a Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow, Microsoft #Insider4Good Fellow, Global Affairs Canada grantee, UN, WFP Fellow, and the Co-founder of Mega Gas Alternative Energy.
Peter received this award in recognition of his company Mega Gas Alternative Energy, which focuses on providing clean and affordable cooking energy for low-income families by converting plastic waste into clean cooking gas.
Esther Kimani
Esther Kimani also received The Waislitz Global Citizen 2023, Her organisation Farmer Lifeline a climate agritech, developed the first-ever solar-powered AI-based crop pests and diseases detection devices with a vision to end hunger and extreme poverty for 1 million marginalised smallholder farmers.
With delayed detection of crop pests and diseases destroying over 47% of crop yield every farming season.
Gjenge Makers
The organisation received the Global Start-Up Awards in the Eastern region. Gjenge Makers works towards sustainable and affordable alternative construction materials made of recycled plastic with sand to make bricks that are stronger than concrete material.
Nzambi Matee was named the best founder of the year and was also recognised as one of the Top 100 Kenyan Personalities in 2023 by Kenyans.co.ke.
Sammy Chemoiwo
In May 2023, The principal of the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) received a gold medal in Leadership in the inclusivity category, awarded by the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP).
His organisation also received a gold medal for the Sustainable Goals award. Chemoiwo was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Kenyan Personalities by Kenyans.co.ke.
Dr. Daniel Mutai
The former Principal of the Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology received a silver medal as a lifetime achievement award from the Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) in May 2023. Mutai was recognised in honour of his achievements in formulating solutions that can be co-opted into and applied by post-secondary institutions to make a difference in their communities.
Wangari Kuria
Wangari Kuria is a Kenyan farmer and entrepreneur. She was feted with the Global Prize alongside three other Africans. Wangari is the founder of Farmer on Fire, where she produces mushrooms alongside other vegetables in Kitengela.
Her venture also provides farmers with education on farming techniques and empowers farmers to start their ventures.
The Global Prize aims to celebrate individuals making impacts across their communities to end extreme poverty in matters of food security, climate change, civic space, and sexual and reproductive health.
Thynx Care Foundation
The organisation bagged the Global Start-up Awards, where they were recognised as the role model in the diversity category they aim to implement interventions for sexual reproductive health and education while mobilising communities to be agents of change.
Yakwetu Kenya
Yakwetu Online Limited emerged as one of the 7 winners of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Awards competition held on 11 July 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. Yakwetu Online provides digital content for entertainment and education for African audiences, helping combat piracy and monetising African content.
The award focuses on recognising individuals and businesses utilising intellectual property for commercialisation. It awards small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The 2023 competition attracted 548 submissions from 58 countries from various sectors.
Phylis Omido
Omido is a Kenyan environmental activist who received the Right Livelihood Award in Stockholm, Sweden. Phyllis Omido rallied her community to oppose a smelter that emitted fumes laden with poisonous Lead materials.
