Arnold Omoja and Julia Hamala, TUK students who clinched position two at the ntinental GAIAthon Innovation Challenge held in Accra, Ghana./Photo courtesy

Two fourth-year Geospatial Engineering students from the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have brought pride to the country after clinching second place at the Continental GAIAthon Innovation Challenge held in Accra, Ghana.

Arnold Omoja and Julia Hamala impressed judges in the Digital Platforms and Interactive Applications category with their project, Green Map Nairobi, a mobile and web-based platform that visualizes Earth Observation and Internet of Things (IoT) data.

The innovation maps green spaces, sustainable businesses, and cultural sites in Nairobi, with the goal of promoting urban sustainability and environmental awareness.

The duo received a cash prize of Ksh 193,244 (USD 1,500). They were accompanied by TUK lecturer and Project Coordinator Clifford Okembo during the award ceremony.

Organized annually by the Edenway Foundation, GAIAthon brings together students from across Africa to showcase tech-driven solutions for environmental and community challenges.

This year’s competition, themed “Empowering Innovation through Digital Literacy,” attracted participants from multiple disciplines, including engineering, mathematics, and environmental studies.

The recognition of Omoja and Hamala’s work underscores Kenya’s growing contribution to Africa’s innovation ecosystem and aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to advance digital literacy and equip young people to address 21st-century challenges.