Riara Students Participate in National Innovation Mentorship Programme.

Riara Students Participate in National Innovation Mentorship Programme.

Riara University was proud to be among the five institutions selected for the inaugural programme, alongside Daystar University, USIU-Africa, Zetech University, and the Technical University of Kenya (TUK). The university delegation was accompanied by faculty mentor Mr. David Kirop, who introduced the student innovators to the wider cohort.

Mr. David Kirop, Riara University Faculty/ Mentor Introducing Riara University Innovators

Day One: Building Innovative Mindsets

The first day focused on foundational innovation principles. Students engaged with experts including Mr. Enos Masinde Weswa, Country Director of the UK-Kenya Tech Hub, who emphasized the importance of understanding market dynamics, identifying real problems, and learning from past startup failures and successes.

Mr. Enos Masinde Weswa, Country Director, UK-Kenya Tech Hub, British High Commission

Yvonne Njeri, Innovation Consultant, led a session on design thinking, walking students through practical steps to convert ideas into impactful solutions. The cohort also interacted with Maryanne Gichanga, Co-founder and CEO of AgriTech Analytics Ltd and recipient of the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA). She shared her journey of building an AI-powered platform that helps farmers combat pest-related crop losses.

Ms. Yvonne Njeri, Innovations Consultant

Ms. Maryanne Gichanga, CEO and Cofounder AgriTech Analytics Ltd

Strengthening Institutional Innovation

Dr. Tony Omwansa, CEO of KeNIA, addressed participants on the agency’s vision for university-based innovation. He announced plans to support the formation of Innovation Clubs in participating universities, which will serve as collaborative platforms for students to co-create and pitch real-world solutions.

Dr Tony Omwansa, CEO KeNIA Sharing KeNIA’s Vision on the Mentorship Programme

Day Two: From Ideation to Enterprise

Day two featured a hands-on design thinking workshop led again by Yvonne Njeri, guiding students through ideation, user-centric design, team leadership, and agility in execution.

One of the most inspiring moments came from Joseph Nguthiru, founder of HyaPak and PIA winner, who shared how he is turning invasive water hyacinth into biodegradable plastic alternatives. His story demonstrated the power of eco-conscious innovation to create social and environmental impact.

HyaPak Founder Mr. Joseph Nguthiru, Presidential Innovation Award (PIA) Winner

Legal and Strategic Considerations

Participants were taken through startup formation and legal structures by Wangechi Wahome, CEO of Anza Village and Associate Partner at Sisule & Associates LLP. She covered business models ranging from sole proprietorships to public limited companies and nonprofits. She also spoke on the critical importance of Intellectual Property (IP) in protecting innovative ideas.

Ms. Wangechi Wahome, Presenting Intellectual Property(IP) considerations

A fireside chat between Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Chumz.io, and Yvonne Njeri wrapped up the day with honest reflections on navigating Kenya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They spoke candidly about overcoming challenges, staying purpose-driven, and building scalable impact ventures.

Mr. Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Chumz.io

Key Takeaways

• University students can be changemakers even before graduation.
• Innovation begins with a deep understanding of the problems we seek to solve.
• Intellectual Property is a critical aspect of protecting and scaling ideas.
• Cross-sector collaboration is essential to nurture a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As part of KeNIA’s pilot, Riara University looks forward to establishing its Innovation Club, which will enable students to collaborate across disciplines and institutions while working on impactful solutions. The programme has not only equipped Riara students with knowledge and skills but has also sparked a renewed sense of purpose and possibility among future innovators.