May 26, 2022

After applying to participate in the UNESCO-INDIA-AFRICA Hackathon, one of our own students, Ms. Keren Wambui  was selected to participate in the Hackathon. Shalom Murega had a chance to speak with her about the competition and her interest in programming. The UNESCO INDIA AFRICA HACKATHON is sponsored by the Indian government to over 30 African nations including Kenya. The hackathon was set to take place in April 2022 but according to communication, there were some technical discussions on whether to host the event physically in India or virtually using online platforms. The hackathon is a 36 hours coding competition where the participating people are set to promote economic development through collaboration in education, environment and renewable energy, exchange thoughtful  leadership and work on projects involving diverse  skilled  individuals. Tell us who Mungai Keren Wambui is: Keren Wambu Mungai is a 3rd year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in the School of Computing and Mathematics. I  considered myself a software developer. I wrote my first line in code in 2018 in my first year during the Introduction to Programming (Java) class.  My passion  in programming grew further when I joined Moringa School in 2019 where I fell in love with python. I specialized in full-stack web development and graduated from Moringa school in 2019. I also worked with Global Wakili during the COVID-19 period and also did a little freelance work with Upwork.  How did you get to learn about this competition? I have been active with the tech community around the University so when the developers students club informed me  about the opportunity I applied. I have never participated in any Tech competition though but I know Hackathon is all about coding. I also got a lot of support and encouragement from my lecturers and a fellow student who was also applying to participate in the competition. I saw this as a  good opportunity to expose myself to the tech world  and at the same time represent the University in something big”. Having been among the 20 students chosen for the program Keren says she’s happy, encouraged, and believes more in her potential. ”I have been coding and I have worked somewhere before but a Hackathon sounds more like a whole new experience,” she says. ‘Actually, I have been looking up online Hackathons, what they are all about, and what is expected of them at the end of the day. All I can say is, I  feel confident and very ready to participate and be a part of one” she added. Keren Wambui doing what she does best, codding. Keren plans on becoming a lead in her final academic year; For example a Microsoft student ambassador. She says that her exposure to Hackathons experience will be used to create, organize  and encourage more people to participate in Hackathons and tech events . Similarly, Keren hopes to use her social media handles  to create awareness and encourage more students to participate in Hackathon competitions. ”I actually noticed that  I have quite a following from school on   tech events. For instance, there was an  Innovation launch recently  and I invited and hyped it online and to my surprise, saw people that I invited attend”   Keren also added that in her opinion, participating  in the Hackathon is quite an achievement and a learning experience to her and in the same way  will ensure her fellow students learn and gain something from her experience. We as The Co-operative University of Kenya  wish Keren all the best in all her endeavors .

On the 9th of March, the government of Kenya came up with measures to regulate the Boda Boda sub-sector. One of them was for all Boda Boda users to join cooperatives and Saccos and each to have a license. The Co-operative University in turn came up with ways to educate the operators and help them join the cooperatives. The forum was officially commenced by the DVC -Academic, Co-operative Development, Research, and Innovation Division, Professor Isaac .K. Nyamongo. He welcomed everyone present and thanked them for gracing the occasion.  He went on and encouraged the operators to join the cooperatives and be united. ‘’ If there is no unity within the cooperatives then there will be no progress.’’  Mr  Isaac Nyamongo said Prof. Isaac K. Nyamongo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Co-operative Development, Research, and innovation Division) addressing the boda-boda operators. Joining cooperatives and being united will make the cooperatives grow and the bodaboda operators grow in so many areas.  This means that in years to come they will be able to have their own workshops and other developments. Also, the bodaboda operators will be able to have different sources of income and not only depend on  Boda Boda operations. The registrar( CDRI)  Dr. Lydia also encouraged the bodaboda operators to have unity, and cooperation and never be afraid of taking risks. Mr. Morris Githui,  a  representative of the State Department for Co-operatives talked about how to join the cooperatives and what is needed for one to be a member of a cooperative. He also talked about the advantages of joining a cooperative movement. The Boda Boda transport cooperatives will promote and create managements which will promote the transport business and also help operators manage their businesses in an organized manner in accordance with NTSA regulations and finally help the operators create their own code of conduct. The committee formed will be in charge of discipline and making sure rules and regulation placed are followed by all members. The cooperatives will also create and encourage savings and offer affordable credits to their members. In addition, they will be able to provide the purchase and sale of motorcycles and related accessories. They will provide road safety awareness among members and the community at large. HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BODA BODA TRANSPORT COOPERATIVE One must have a boda boda Be on a route that is designated within that Boda Boda transport cooperative Be an employee of the cooperative You must be 18 years and above. A minor can be a member through a nominee You must be of a good character and sound mind You should not be a member of another cooperative carrying the same activity in the same area Must pay a registration fee. ( amount is agreed by the members) Any cooperative must have a member register and can be either a hard copy or a soft copy. Members will be given a unique identification number. Every cooperative will have a committee which will be in charge of various activities in the cooperative. The work of the committee is; Maintaining law and order within the cooperative Liaise with relevant stakeholders in the sector to coordinate the Boda Boda business Ensure only serviceable and insured motorcycles are allowed to operate on the designated routes There will be payment of the root management fee. The committee’s work is to  ensure each member pays it on time without any excuse Ensure cooperatives provide services in line with NTSA regulations. Again the committee can decide which motorcycles are in good shape to provide services They will decide on the mode of payment of services either through M-pesa or cash or using a till number.                                                                                                                                                                                                    The operators were given a chance to ask questions which were clarified by the NTSA officer and were later on given a chance to ask more personal questions. The chairman for Boda Boda operators gave a vote of thanks and the event was drawn to a close by Dr Lydia,  The Registrar ( CDRI ).