University of Eldoret Student Sparks Innovation Revolution in Kitale School

A student from the University of Eldoret is transforming how learners in Kitale acquire digital and innovation skills, through a grassroots program that is already reshaping education at Great Mercy Education Center.

Victor Isahi, founder and CEO of the Sayetu program, has introduced an innovation platform that equips students with coding, problem-solving, and creative thinking skillstools increasingly seen as essential in Kenya’s digital economy. By partnering with schools like Great Mercy in Kitale, the initiative is bridging gaps in access to technology-driven education.

“We wanted to create a platform where learners can build, innovate, and program at a young age,” Isahi said. “With the right exposure, they can create real-world solutions even before joining university.”

Through the program, students are introduced to programming languages such as Python and JavaScript using self-guided and gamified lessons designed to make learning engaging. The approach also addresses a major challenge in Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)—a shortage of specialized teachers in digital fields—by enabling learners to teach themselves through structured modules.

The impact of the initiative is already visible among students. At Great Mercy, learners have developed several digital projects, including BongaMind AI, a platform designed to support students facing mental health and communication challenges, as well as a coding platform that helps peers learn programming and build their own applications.

John Owen, a Grade 9 student at the school, is among those benefiting from the program. He began coding at 13 after realizing he was spending too much time on social media. “I wanted to create something that could help society,” he said. Since then, he and his team have built two websites and advanced to the national level at the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair.

Educators at the school say the Sayetu program has made learning more practical and student-driven. 

Isaac Kirwa, Head of the Science Department, noted that the projects are entirely student-developed and focus on solving real-life problems. 

“It has made teaching easier because students are actively engaged and learning by doing,” he said.

The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to make education more hands-on under the CBC system. Teachers like Weldon Alvala are incorporating innovation into lessons by training students to build simple circuits and apply scientific concepts using locally available materials.

However, challenges remain. Limited funding has slowed the expansion of the program, as Isahi and his team,mostly university students,struggle to acquire resources and reach more schools. He is now calling on government agencies and development partners to support such initiatives, emphasizing their potential to nurture innovation at an early age.

Judith Mutange, the founding director of Great Mercy Education Center, believes the program is instilling an entrepreneurial mindset among learners. 

“These students are learning to create opportunities for themselves instead of waiting for employment,” she said.

Evans Mtange Akoto, one of the school’s directors, acknowledges the progress made by the Ministry of Education but points out existing gaps in technology and innovation. He cites challenges such as a shortage of trained teachers, limited laboratory facilities, inadequate computers, and poor internet access in many schools.

“Addressing these gaps will significantly boost innovation and place our learners on a competitive global platform,” he said. He noted that many globally recognized innovators began exploring technology at a young age, emphasizing the importance of early exposure.

Akoto praised the Sayetu program for helping bridge these gaps, noting that students involved have gained confidence, exposure, and motivation. Some have advanced to national competitions, while others have developed a newfound interest in science and technology after realizing their potential to create meaningful change.

As Kenya continues to embrace digital transformation, initiatives like Sayetu demonstrate the power of collaboration between universities and grassroots institutions. By bringing innovation directly into classrooms, the program is not only reshaping education but also inspiring a generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers.