Meru University Trio Wins NIRU AI Hackathon 2025 as Kenya Accelerates Homegrown Tech for Jobs and Security

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By Irene 



Kenya’s push to position itself as a regional leader in artificial intelligence received a major boost after the National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) crowned winners of its 2025 National AI Hackathon, showcasing a new wave of locally developed solutions targeting critical national challenges.

Caroline Gakii, Daniel Maitethia, and Ezekiel Otieno from Meru University of Science and Technology emerged as the overall winners, earning KSh 2 million for their innovative project, a low-cost AI-powered digital microscope designed to improve access to cancer and malaria diagnosis across the country. Their solution stood out for its potential to enhance healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.

Joshua Radula of Strathmore University secured the first runner-up position, taking home KSh 750,000 for his project “Word 2 Sign,” an AI-driven platform that translates spoken and written language into sign language, improving accessibility for the deaf community.

Kelvin Mulama claimed third place and KSh 500,000 for “Veritas AI,” a system aimed at detecting financial fraud and strengthening national financial integrity through autonomous intelligence.
The hackathon attracted more than 5,600 registrations and yielded over 2,500 AI solution submissions from across the country, highlighting the growing strength of Kenya’s digital innovation ecosystem.

Speaking during the awards ceremony in Nairobi, NIRU Vice Chancellor Dr. James Kibon emphasized that the initiative goes beyond competition, serving as a pipeline for real-world solutions. He noted that the innovations presented demonstrate Kenya’s capacity to develop technologies aligned with national priorities, including security, agriculture, and public service delivery.

NIRU Board Chairman and National Intelligence Service Director General Nordin Hajji underscored the strategic importance of nurturing local AI innovation, stating that such initiatives are key to enhancing technological self-reliance while addressing Kenya’s socio-economic realities.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen commended the participants, describing the hackathon as a reflection of Kenya’s growing digital transformation and global competitiveness. He noted that the innovations have strong potential to create jobs and drive economic growth.

Participants in the programme underwent a structured incubation process that included technical mentorship, ethical AI guidance, and commercialization support, enabling their ideas to evolve into scalable, deployable solutions.

The competition’s judging panel featured leading experts from academia, industry, and the technology sector, who evaluated entries based on national relevance, scalability, originality, technical feasibility, and measurable impact.
With solutions spanning sectors such as security, agriculture, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, the hackathon reinforced the growing role of artificial intelligence as a key driver of Kenya’s economic development and innovation agenda.

Organizers say the initiative will continue to bridge the gap between digital talent and industry, ensuring that promising ideas are supported to scale into impactful, real-world applications.

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