Catherine Atieno of JKUAT, Salim Kim of Machakos University, Brian Ngugi of Mount Kenya University, and their instructor, Kevin Tuei, beat more than 220,000 students from around the world to win the Huawei global award. Photo/Courtesy
By Lawrence Ongaro
Mount Kenya University (MKU) students and instructors who recently won prestigious international technology awards in the United States and China have urged young people to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) responsibly and avoid spreading misinformation.
The call comes after remarkable global achievements by MKU students, highlighting Kenya’s growing influence in innovation and technology.
One of the successes was recorded at the Wege Prize 2026 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where a team of four MKU students emerged among the top finalists and won $2,500 (about Sh323,650) for their innovation, EcoScrubber. The project is a hybrid emission-control and carbon-capture system that converts harmful pollutants from incinerator chimneys into usable construction materials.
The team comprised Wesley Njenga, Franklin Mwendwa, Elijah Maina and Ejike Chinyere, all from MKU’s School of Public Health. Their innovation was inspired by witnessing a truck emitting thick black smoke in Thika, prompting them to develop a solution that captures and repurposes harmful emissions.
The Wege Prize, organised by Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design in the United States, attracted 87 teams from more than 30 countries. The MKU team was among only five finalists invited to present their innovation in the US.
Team leader Wesley Njenga praised MKU’s Innovation and Incubation Centre for supporting their journey. He noted that the award came with seed funding that will help the team complete the project’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and move closer to commercialisation.
Another major achievement came from the Huawei ICT Competition Global Finals in Shenzhen, China, where a Kenyan team that included MKU student Brian Ngugi won the grand prize after competing against more than 220,000 students worldwide.
The winning team comprised Catherine Atieno of JKUAT, Salem Kim of Machakos University and Brian Ngugi of MKU, under the guidance of instructor Kevin Tuei. Their victory marked the first time a Kenyan team had won the competition’s top global award.
Call for responsible AI use
Congratulating the winners, MKU’s Head of Innovations, Intellectual Property and Community Engagement, Donatus Njoroge, said the university remains committed to helping students transform innovative ideas into businesses.
He noted that MKU provides training, mentorship, funding opportunities and international exposure to students, enabling them to compete globally. He added that some students are currently participating in innovation exchange programmes in Germany, while others continue to excel in international competitions.
Njoroge urged companies and organisations facing operational challenges to partner with MKU’s Innovation and Equipment Centre to develop practical solutions through research and innovation.
Read more: MKU pledges stronger partnerships for innovation and growth
He also encouraged university students to use their creativity and skills to establish businesses before graduating, saying young people possess the fresh ideas needed to solve modern challenges and create jobs.
At the same time, Njoroge warned against the misuse of Artificial Intelligence, especially as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election. He expressed concern over the increasing use of AI to manipulate information, create misleading content and spread falsehoods.
“AI is here to improve learning, research and productivity, not to spread rumours or misinformation,” he said, urging young people to use the technology responsibly and critically assess information they encounter online.
Brian Ngugi echoed the sentiments, noting that AI is increasingly being used to manipulate videos, photographs and data. He encouraged students to harness AI positively, particularly in data analysis and research.
Njenga also praised AI as a valuable tool that helped his team validate data and develop the EcoScrubber project. He called on the government to increase support for university innovation hubs through funding, policy support and partnerships.
Industry leaders have hailed the global achievements as proof that Kenya is developing world-class technology talent. The successes underscore the country’s growing role in innovation, digital transformation and ICT development, positioning Kenya as a leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship in Africa.
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