14 Outstanding Kenyan Entrepreneurs Receive WIDU Award Kenya 2023

Award ceremony for Kenyan participants took place for the second time

The WIDU Award Kenya was held for the second time on 7 December 2023. Awards were presented in 9  categories. Moreover, 8 Regional Champions as well as 2 WIDU Coaches received Awards for their work. For the first time, the voting for the winners was public and resulted in more than 41,000 votes.

The winners of the WIDU Awards Kenya 2023 standing together on stage and get celebrated by the audience. Copyright: WIDU.africa

Throwback to December 2023! WIDU.africa awarded the most outstanding Kenyan WIDU participants during the second edition of the WIDU Award Kenya. For the first time, WIDU Kenya called on the public to vote for the winners of the WIDU Awards. A total of 66 participants took part in the two-track voting, contributing to an impressive tally of over 41,000 votes.

In a relaxed atmosphere in Nairobi, the best entrepreneurs won awards in the categories Food Security, Digital, Green, Service Industry, Social Enterprise and Young Entrepreneur of the year 2023. Moreover, WIDU coaches received awards and prizes for their work as well as 8 entrepreneurs from the different regions of Kenya. Along with their awards and certificates, all winners received up to 1,000 Euros to invest in their businesses.

Relaxed celebration in honour of the award-winning entrepreneurs. At the end, a cake was cut together. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

What all winners had in common was that their business ideas were awarded due to their innovation, creation of sustainable jobs and value addition in their investments. The coaches were also awarded for their outstanding performance and service to WIDU entrepreneurs through day-to-day mentorship, referrals and links to markets and other services geared towards improving businesses of their clients.

The WIDU Award Kenya aimed to showcase how development cooperation can engage the diaspora to support small and micro enterprises and presented inspiring stories of change and business transformation by small entrepreneurs in Kenya.

Watch the WIDU Award ceremony on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W-1U0FXG30&t=3124s

The Winners

Digital Project of the Year 2023

Mykoolala.com Media House – Muhia Kimani

The MyKoolala team led by founder Muhia Kimani accepts the award as the best digital project 2023. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

MyKoolala is an online travel agency based in Nairobi with three employees, marketing tourist destinations and providing booking services for e.g., hotels and travel tours. The focus is on selling Kenya as a tourist region by providing a range of accommodation from Five-star luxury experience to Pitch-your-tent wilderness experience. By enhancing his social media presence, he has increased content within the tourism space and used the Mkoolala website to market different destinations Kenya-wide, promoting Kenya’s tourism industry.

Website: https://mykoolala.com/

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2nd Island Photocon – Issa Twahir

3rd KreaMIT Milky Limited – Mildred Were

Green Project of the Year 2023

Climate Smart Africa Limited – Jeconiah Mokaya

Jeconiah Mokaya – Climate Smart Africa Limited - won the category Green Project of the year 2023 and celebrated together with the second and third runner-ups on stage. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

Climate smart Africa limited, situated in Kisii and employing three people, focuses on sustainable renewable energy solutions by creating integrated community clean briquettes. The project aims to enhance the quality of life in urban and rural areas by generating employment opportunities, eradicating indoor pollution, and combatting deforestation. Their primary focus involves converting agricultural and agroforestry waste into profitable clean cooking energy in the form of briquettes. This circular economy approach ensures the improved livelihoods of employees and the community, providing affordable and environmentally friendly charcoal solutions. They recycle waste from various sources, including agriculture post-harvest, char dust from marketplaces, office paper waste, and old newspapers to produce their briquettes.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/clismafo/

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2^nd Biofit Feeds Company – Jack Oyugi

3^rd Baobab Husks Planting 456Media Vokonel Limited – Kevin Kibuka

Food Security Project of the Year 2023

Rema Agritech Limited – Josephat Mokaya

In the Food Security Project of the Year 2023 category, Josephat Mokaya's Rema Agritech prevailed over his competitors in the public vote.

Rema Agritech specializes in Multistorey Garden technology. This innovative approach encourages vertical farming, significantly multiplying available space. The project not only promotes efficient land use but also supports farmers by providing essential agronomic and organic training, ensuring that they derive optimal value from the gardens they purchase.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/remaagritech/

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2^nd Mount Kenya Feeds – Pinton Koome

3^rd Oh, Honey – Mari-Lisa

Service Industry Project of the Year 2023

Payson Cyber Services – Simon Warui

Simon Warui, owner of Payson Cyber Services, delivers his acceptance speech after receiving the first prize in the Service Industry Project of the Year 2023 category. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

Simon Warui of Payson Cyber Services, based in Nanyuki, specializes in offering a wide range of digital services, such as M-Pesa, photocopy, printing and sale of laptops and phones. Notably, with the support of the WIDU's 250 Euro Covid top-up, Simon expanded his business operations by establishing a carwash. This strategic move not only diversified his income but also contributed to the local economy by creating employment opportunities. To date, his business has provided jobs to 17 individuals.

Website: https://printing.paysonmobiles.co.ke/

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2^nd Brea Consultancy Limited – Eunice Ndegwa

3^rd Sassal Reality Consult – Penina Suge

Young Entrepreneur Project of the Year 2023

Bella Poultry Farm – Belinda Kinya

The winner of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 category, Belinda Kinya – owner of Bella Poultry Farm – presents her first place to the audience. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

Belinda Kinya is a 23-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Bella Poultry Farm based in Meru County. Through WIDU, she has enhanced the coops, while simultaneously elevating the farm's productivity. Through her dedication a social impact by generating two employment opportunities within her community. Her strategic vision and hard work underscore her success, serving as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs.

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2^nd Zihanga Limited – Nicholas Ndekei

3rd Tuuti Urban Farm – Brian Ogwang Okeyo

Social Enterprise of the Year 2023

Turnel Light – Hannah Awuor

Hannah Awuor celebrates her success: She won first place in the Social Enterprise of the Year 2023 category

Hanna's rural farm in Kisumu County stands out with a unique approach. She engages in honey production, passion fruit farming, and herb cultivation. What sets her farm apart is Hanna's personal journey as a recovering addict. She's transformed her farm into an employer for community members facing addiction and other vulnerabilities.

2^nd & 3^rd Runners up

2^nd Macecall Home – Alfred Muthomi

3^rd Talanta Junior School Angie Talanta Junior Academy – Lucas Hainja

Regional Champions

All Regional Champions from Kenya pose together for their winning photo. Copyright: WIDU Kenya

Nairobi Region: Nyota Limited – Florence Mogere

North Eastern Region : Marshk Investments Limited – Nuriye Mohamed

Eastern Region: Taliana Foods – Doreen Achieng Ochieng

Coast Region: NIPE WIFI – Samuel Mwina Kioko

Central Region: Joka Organics – Kanyi JOB

Western Region: Well-Being Fitness Empire – Achieng Onyango Scholar

Rift Valley Region: Kakuma Bee Social Enterprise – Ndambwe Avril

Nyanza Region: Heaven Spa – Sharon Matundura

Best Coaches

Best Female Coach: Esther Ndinda (Organisation: Sustainable Business Consulting)

Best Male Coach: Simon Nyamweya (Organisation: Sustainable Business Consulting)

About 

WIDU.africa is a project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. In collaboration with the African diaspora in Europe, WIDU applies an innovative approach that combines funding and coaching to strengthen new and existing small businesses in Africa. By providing grants and training opportunities, WIDU aims to create sustainable jobs in Kenya and five other African countries.