Google Supports University Students Create Election-based Apps

Applications (Apps) built by Kenyan students ahead of the March 4th elections were unveiled today at event, where they all highlighted the need for information to be availed to every Kenyan.

Their focus was centered on the following themes: Civic Education; Party and Politicians; Lifestyle; Resource Monitoring; and the Electoral process.


The Apps include: Tukumbuke (Swahili meaning let us remember), Spotlight, Jijulishe (inform yourself in Swahili), Wenyenchi (the owners of the country), Opinion Yetu, Haki II (justice) and Rasirimali (resources).

The Apps will provide technological solutions to governance and the electoral process challenges.

The Apps were developed at the Elections DevFest themed “Software Solutions for Elections”, an interactive 3- day event organised by Strathmore University’s iLab and sponsored by Google in partnership with IEBC and various Civil Society organizations.

Speaking at the media briefing, Ory Okolloh, Google Africa Manager, Policy and Government Relations explained: “Google has been very active in promoting access to relevant information; access to information is especially important in the electoral process. Through the Elections hub, the YouTube channel, Shabikika Amani na Kura Yako (Sports4peace campaign) and supporting these students to create tools for engagement with this information, we hope to reach as many Kenyans as possible.”

During the event, guests interacted with the developers to get insights into how the applications will be used.

"We aim to provide civic education about the electoral process to every Kenyan, especially because most people don't have the urge to go through the whole constitution; it is pretty much breaking down the constitution," explained Mercy Orangi, whose team developed Jijulishe.

All the applications are downloadable at: www.ilabafrica.ac.ke.