The Global Grad Show, in partnership with the Investment Corporation of Dubai, is the world’s largest gathering of top graduate talent and two projects from Kenya were admitted through the Sochin Research Institute. This is a huge success for Tracy Kimathi as well as Elijah Kiprotich Chirchir and his business partner Philemon Kipchirchir Masas. They are the first Kenyans in the show’s six-year history and only one per cent of applications were chosen this year. The Institute is mentoring the entrepreneurs so they can enhance their social enterprises and will appear as the representative faculty members during show and academic conference.
Tracy runs an eco-based organization called Tree_Sea.mals that uses renewable resources to generate social impact. Through the use of mini-grids, her company generates power using solar energy which is then distributed to the local community. A 1kWp mini-grid prototype is already running in Meru County and Tree_Sea.mals is now looking for funding to operate a pilot in Dadachabasa Village, Isiolo County. The latter will include a cold storage facility that is intended to stimulate economic activity and empower women within the community.
Elijah and Philemon invented a phone-call controlled irrigation system with an automatic feedback function. They are from Kericho County which is famous for its beautiful tea plantations. However, few Kenyan farmers irrigate their fields as they rely on rainfall. The two inventors want to change traditional practices and believe their system is more efficient, cost effective, and flexible. Elijah and Philemon are currently improving their prototype and are seeking funding to go into production.
