Daystar University students attends the Presidential Innovation Award University Mentorship program at Windsor Hotel, Nairobi.
By John Nderitu
[Nairobi, June 9, 2025] In a bold step intended to nurture a new generation of visionary thinkers and problem solvers, Daystar University, through the Directorate of Research, Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship (DRICE), joined universities across Kenya for a two-day innovation mentorship program under the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA).
The training, titled “Re-imagining Innovation Within a University Innovation System,” was held at the Windsor Hotel, Nairobi, from June 6 - 7, 2025.
The workshop brought together over 300 students and mentors with one shared purpose: to spark innovation at the heart of academia.
The training sought to re-wire students to perceive their learning journey, not just as a pathway to graduation, but as a discovery ground for real-world gaps that can be turned into high-impact, scalable ventures.
“This mentorship is about equipping students early. It’s about building an innovation mindset within the academic space, where ideas don’t just stay in notebooks [but] grow into ventures that solve real problems,” said Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa, CEO of KeNIA.
Representing Daystar University were 30 students accompanied by three staff members namely John Nderitu - Innovation Officer, Philipe Tinega - DRICE Administrator, and Vivian Shibuya - DRICE Research Assistant.
The training began with a powerful session on Design Thinking, led by Enos Masinde Weswa, a seasoned mentor known for his work in marketing and lean startup methodology. He walked the students through the process from empathy to ideation and prototyping, hence grounding their learning in real-life scenarios.
This framework came alive in the story of Ms. Maryanne G. Co-founder of AgriTech Analytics, who shared how she transformed a common farmer’s pain point into an AI-powered solution to manage pest control. Her journey demonstrated how empathy, curiosity, and persistence can shape market-ready solutions.
Day 2 was anchored on raw, unfiltered conversations, with the CEO of Chumz.io, Mr. Samuel Njuguna, and Ms. Yvonne Njeri, a leading innovation consultant, facilitating a candid fireside chat on the realities of startup life — the fear, the detours, and the pressure to perform.
Mr. Njuguna gave students a timely reminder that failure is not the end but a chapter in the founder's manual, words that resonated deeply: “Your journey is uniquely yours. Don’t compare your value or pace with anyone else’s,” he advised.
A standout session led by Ms. Wangechi Wahome, the CEO of Anza Village and a legal expert, delved into the vital legal frameworks every founder should know. From understanding business structures like LLCs and non-profits to learning the purpose of contracts, MoUs, and shareholder agreements, students walked away seeing law as a tool for clarity, protection, and scalability — not just paperwork.
The mentorship wrapped up with an inspiring showcase by Mr. Joseph Nguthiru, Founder of HyaPak and recipient of the Presidential Innovation Award (PIA). Once a student innovator himself, Mr. Nguthiru now leads a social enterprise that transforms water hyacinth into biodegradable alternatives to plastic. His journey reminded everyone that innovation doesn’t begin after graduation, but with awareness, boldness, and a clear purpose.
“There has been a noticeable rise in creativity, awareness, and vibrancy around innovation at Daystar. These mentorship programs and the entire innovation drive are exactly what we’ve been needing as students. We’re truly grateful to DRICE for making it happen,” said Chrisantus Onduso, a Daystar University Student Innovator. Chrisantus acknowledged that the Vice Chancellor had made one of the best decisions in establishing DRICE.
DRICE believes that innovation is not a side activity, but is central to how Daystar University faculty teach, and how students learn and solve problems.
“By participating in programs like these, we are making strategic investments in the next generation of entrepreneurs, changemakers, and solution designers,” said John Nderitu, the Student Innovation Officer in DRICE. Mr. Nderitu added that seeing students from different universities, in one room, openly sharing ideas, lessons, and aspirations was refreshing.
“As we move forward, Daystar University remains committed to creating innovation pathways that no only inspire but also equip. When students are empowered to innovate with empathy, structure, and courage, transformation is inevitable,” he said.
For more updates on innovation and entrepreneurship at Daystar, contact innovations@daystar.ac.ke or follow us on LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/DRICE-LinkedIn-Account