Kenyan University Students Bag 4 Awards at Global ICT Competition with over 2000 Universities
- Kenyan students won top honours at the 2025 Huawei Global ICT Competition, beating thousands of participants from over 100 countries
- A team from JKUAT and Machakos University secured the First Prize in the Computing category, showcasing Kenya’s global tech talent
- All-girl and mixed teams from Moi University, JKUAT, UoN, and Egerton University also earned second and third prizes in the Cloud, Network, and Innovation categories
- The delegation received strong support from government and academic leaders, including ICT PS Jacob Fikirini, and Ambassador to China H.E. Willy Bett
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Kenyan university students have once again raised the national flag high on the global stage, winning multiple awards at the prestigious 2025 Huawei Global ICT Competition.
Source: Original
The annual event held in China, attracted over 210,000 students from more than 2,000 universities across 100 countries.
Which awards did Kenya win at the Huawei ICT competition?
Kenya emerged victorious in several categories, showcasing the country’s growing excellence in tech and innovation:
- First Prize – Computing Category
A multitalented team comprising Esther Guichaiya (JKUAT), Ephraim Shikanga (JKUAT), Mark Omaiko (Machakos University), and Ian Omwenga (Machakos University) secured the top spot with an outstanding performance.
- Second Prize – Cloud Category
An all-female team featuring Ifrah Hussein (Moi University), Banzy (JKUAT), and Beverly Ndombi (Moi University) earned second place, highlighting the rising impact of women in tech.
- Second Prize – Network Category
This award went to Rukia Mwari Mohammed (JKUAT), Brian Kipkoech (Machakos University), and Odanga Clement (University of Nairobi) for their impressive technical skills.
- Third Prize – Innovation Category
Representing Egerton University and led by instructor Patricia Gitonga (University of Nairobi), the team included Karimi Muriithi, Denis Syengo, and Peterson Kariuki.
Source: Original
Government lauds Kenyan university students
The Huawei ICT Competition is open to students from higher education institutions affiliated with the Huawei ICT Academy, offering a global platform for young innovators to showcase their skills.
Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Jacob Fikirini congratulated the students and lecturers, thanking Huawei for the opportunity and praising Team Kenya’s exceptional performance.
"Thank you HUAWEI for the opportunity and congratulations Team Kenya (Lecturers and students) for the resounding victory and more grace as we explore and nurture the expertise for the betterment of our beloved country," the PS noted, celebrating the moment as a major win for Kenya’s tech future.
Also present to support the Kenyan delegation were Ambassador to China H.E. Willy Bett, Huawei Kenya’s Khadija Abdalla and Lutta Yeng, Education Attaché Albert Ombiro, and university representatives including Philip Oyier, Wairimu Gichaiya (JKUAT), Patricia Gitonga (UoN), and Franklin Mutisya (Machakos University).
“More grace to you, comrades and friends,” he added.
How Kenyan student got admission in US university
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old student, Twahir Malafu, narrated how he struggled through his education to get an opportunity at a prestigious university in the US.
Despite amassing 384 marks in KCPE, he was enrolled at Musembe Secondary School, a rural institution lacking essential infrastructure. He still managed to score an impressive A- in KCSE.
Though accepted to the University of Nairobi for a degree in Industrial Chemistry, financial struggles forced him to work as a cleaner and later a cashier to support himself and his sister.
His breakthrough came when he discovered the Kenya Scholar Access Program (KenSAP), which ultimately enabled him to pursue his dream course at a prestigious university in the United States.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
