The National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) has awarded three students from of Science and Technology who emerged as the overall winners of the 2025 National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hackathon, taking home the grand prize of Ksh 2 million for their groundbreaking project aimed at improving healthcare diagnostics in Kenya.
The three, Caroline Gakii, Daniel Maitethia, and Ezekiel Otieno clinched the top spot with their innovative project titled “A Low-Cost AI-Powered Digital Microscope for Accessible Cancer and Malaria Diagnosis in Kenya.”
The trio’s solution seeks to enhance access to affordable diagnostic technology, using artificial intelligence to detect diseases such as cancer and malaria, especially in resource-constrained areas.
The event also recognized Strathmore University’s Joshua Radula as the first runner-up for his project “Word 2 Sign”, an AI-powered tool that translates spoken or written words into sign language. Radula was awarded Ksh750,000 for his innovative solution aimed at improving communication accessibility for the deaf community.
In third place was Kelvin Mulama, who won Ksh 500,000 for his project ‘Veritas AI’, an AI solution designed to detect financial fraud and enhance national financial integrity using autonomous intelligence systems.
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The 2025 National AI Hackathon drew significant participation, with more than 5,600 registrations and over 2,500 AI solution submissions.
The program, in collaboration with government, academia, and industry partners, provided selected innovators with mentorship, product development support, ethical AI guidance, and commercialization insights, helping their solutions progress from concept to deployment-ready products.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen praised the winners, highlighting Kenya’s growing position as a leader in digital transformation.
“What they presented demonstrates that Kenya has the talent and creativity to compete globally. These innovations have the potential not only to solve local challenges but also to create jobs and drive economic growth,” Murkomen stated.
NIRU Board of Trustees Chairman and Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Nordin Hajji, emphasized that the hackathon is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen Kenya’s technological independence.
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“By nurturing AI innovation locally, Kenya is building the capacity to develop solutions that respond to our socio-economic realities while also strengthening national security and economic resilience,” Hajji said.
Dr. James Kibon, Vice Chancellor of NIRU, noted that the initiative is focused on transforming innovative ideas into deployable technologies that address Kenya’s national priorities.
He commended the quality of the projects, which demonstrate Kenya’s growing capacity to develop technologies that tackle local challenges across sectors like security, agriculture, and public service delivery.
The hackathon not only highlighted the impressive pool of digital innovators emerging in Kenya but also showcased the potential of AI in solving some of the country’s most pressing issues.
Kenya is poised to continue driving its digital transformation and establish itself as a hub for tech-driven solutions to societal challenges.
By Obegi Malack
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