Friday, January 31, 2014

Kenyan youth display their innovative creativity

Kevin Mbwaya presents his body scanning idea to other youth taking part in an initiative dubbed Think Positive, Alternatives Exist  geared towards motivating youth to think outside the box for alternatives and solutions to their everyday challenges so as to be self-reliant socially and economically and to regain a sense of purpose. PHOTO/COURTESY

Kevin Mbwaya presents his body scanning idea to other youth taking part in an initiative dubbed Think Positive, Alternatives Exist  geared towards motivating youth to think outside the box for alternatives and solutions to their everyday challenges so as to be self-reliant socially and economically and to regain a sense of purpose. PHOTO/COURTESY  
By NATION REPORTER
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Creativity and innovation was on display at the Youth Innovation and Creativity Summit held on Friday January 24, at the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies.

The summit that brought together hundreds of youths, mentors and political leaders is a culmination of a year- long initiative dubbed Think Positive, Alternatives Exist  geared towards motivating youth to think outside the box for alternatives and solutions to their everyday challenges so as to be self-reliant socially and economically and to regain a sense of purpose.


The initiative, a brainchild of Jesuit Hakimani Centre, is anchored on the premise that people are agents of positive change in their society.


Teams from the centre travelled to various counties to identify youth with existing talents within their specific contexts with an aim to guiding them to innovatively improve on their ideas by providing them with technical and professional skills.
This would help youths scale up their ideas into sources of livelihoods particularly in areas of agriculture, environmental conservation, off-grid energy and health and technology sectors.


INNOVATIVE IDEAS
Youth were encouraged to submit their innovative ideas with a view to linking them with investors who would help take their ideas to the next level.


200 ideas were received and 17 of these were shortlisted for presentation at the creativity and innovation summit with the top three ideas winning prize money.


The winning idea was one of briquette making by Michael Ochieng’ that singled out Kibra settlement which consumes 200 bags of charcoal everyday which is not sustainable in a country with less that 10% forest cover. The briquettes would reduce the consumption by 30% and reduce carbon 

A weaving idea by Smolfish was voted the most socially transformative. Smolfish, a cottage industry hand weaves kikoi items using cotton and natural fibres making them suitable for all weather. WATCH: Smolfish presentation.


The most innovative award went to Daniel Kerioba whose idea of using cast away soap stone to manufacture tiles would see a reduction of as much as 30% in building costs. WATCH: Keroba's presentation.


The crowd’s favourite idea was Collins Gicheha‘s automatic waking bed, which would pull away the blankets as soon as the alarm went off giving off an effective wake up call.
Simon Ndegwa also showcased an idea that would make energy drinks from cassava which would be different from other energy drinks in the market that use chemicals which are harmful in the long-term.


HINDRANCES TO INNOVATION
Gracing the event was the government chief whip in the senate, Beatrice Elachi, Kibra MP, ken Okoth , CEO and founder of Storymoja, Muthoni Garland, CEO Adopt-a –light, Esther Passaris, Joseph Mbugua, MD daybreak limited and professional mentor among others.
Kibra MP, Ken Okoth urged youths to work on developing their soft skills that will enable them sell their ideas to prospective investors. He also encouraged youths to get informed of the various funds available to them and when necessary form groups or teams that can harness individual strengths for the group’s collective good.


Muthoni  Garland founder of Storymoja cited the current education system as one that stifled creativity and curiosity which is necessary to think outside the box to solve problems.
Beatrice Elachi decried an education system that churned out papers that did not reflect the person. She hoped that 2014 would be the year everyone in all levels of government innovated. She urged youth to persist and continue innovating even when they did not get due credit as ideas come from God. She also urged them to learn from past mistakes as they innovate.


Esther Passaris cited the political environment as being the greatest hindrance to innovation.
“I have an innovative idea that will create 500,000 jobs and reduce road carnage, however, I have not got an invitation to statehouse to pitch the idea.”


She urged youth to innovate with Kenya in mind.
“When you have a product to sell, you will not just sell to your community but the whole country. If you have an idea work at it, improve on it and nurture it but be Kenyan first.”
Reiterating the need to learn from the past, she urged entrepreneurs-to-be, to always get a written contract in their business or personal or ventures.


CHANGING ATTITUDES
A survey  carried out between December 2013 and January aimed at identifying youth attitude towards innovation, employment and their perceived challenges as well as solutions to overcome these challenges found that 50.7% of respondents rated their chances of getting employed as being too remote. A significant proportion (60.9% ) felt that the only alternative was to get into self-employment. 


The findings vindicate a previous survey by ILO that found many youth had given up looking for jobs in formal sectors.


The survey was carried out in 24 counties across the nation and the complete findings of the study will be published in March 2014.
Watch the 17 best ideas submitted.

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