How DEKUT Students Are Turning Digital Technology into Livelihoods

 At just 21 years old, Nancy Wairimu, a first-year Bachelor of Commerce student at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DEKUT), is proving that the future belongs to the bold. Rather than waiting for traditional job opportunities, Wairimu has embraced the digital economy to earn a living while still in school.

Alongside seven other DEKUT students, Wairimu joined Ekshop, an online delivery platform that connects customers to a variety of goods—from fresh groceries and fruits to apparel, electronics, and even hot French fries—delivered right to their doorsteps.

“I joined Ekshop in September last year, and since then, I’ve gained immense insight into online marketing. I’ve also realized that one can balance studies and work. My goal was to understand digital marketing, and this partnership has taken me much further than I expected,” Wairimu told Kenya News Agency (KNA) during a visit to the team’s operational hub near the university.

For Wairimu, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, Ekshop is not just a temporary gig—it’s a stepping stone to building her own business in the digital advertising space. “You don’t need to wait to be employed. Explore the gaps around you and turn them into opportunities,” she advises fellow youth.

Ekshop was founded by Mwangi Kiarie, a DEKUT graduate in Electronic Engineering, who saw a chance to digitize commerce in Nyeri. “A friend of mine paid a high delivery fee for earphones from Nairobi, even though the same item was available here. That sparked the idea to create an online platform that bridges the information gap,” Kiarie explained.

From this simple idea, Ekshop has grown to serve over 100 regular clients around DEKUT and Nyeri. Using motorcycles, the team works in shifts to deliver foodstuffs, electronics, fresh vegetables, fruits, drinks, and even fast foods like French fries—all directly to customers’ homes.

“The platform is transforming the lives of our student couriers and helping traders move their goods faster,” Kiarie says. “We’re creating jobs while boosting local businesses. Soon, Nyeri could operate as a 24-hour economy hub.”

For local entrepreneurs like Lucy Wanjiku, who runs an eatery near DEKUT, Ekshop has been a game-changer. “Since joining Ekshop, my customer base has grown exponentially. Many clients now prefer online orders to visiting the shop physically, which has boosted my sales and profits,” she said.

Similarly, Kelvin Kiilu, a fast-food operator, says the platform has increased his sales of French fries and bhajia, providing additional income he would not have accessed relying solely on walk-in customers.

According to a 2024 report by the Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA), Kenya’s digital economy is expected to contribute Sh662 billion to GDP by 2028, with youth-focused initiatives creating over 300,000 new jobs. The government has recognized digitization as a key pillar under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

For students like Wairimu and her Ekshop colleagues, this is just the beginning. They are leveraging technology not only to earn a living but to gain entrepreneurial experience, digital marketing skills, and the confidence to carve out their own future.

“We’re not waiting for opportunities to come to us,” Wairimu says. “We’re creating them—and in the process, learning skills that will last a lifetime.”