Sitting at his office at the deep end of Komarock estate on outskirts of Nairobi City, he pays close attention to computers, surfing all manner of news in Kenya and around the world. Christopher Mokaya smiles slyly, reflecting his life months years ago when he was a teacher at Alliance High School. Today, he is 28, and a ‘big data’ technocrat.
When Mokaya joined African Nazarene University, he studied a degree in education. But he later ditched the profession to chase after his dream – techpreneurship. This is when the idea to start up a communications and data consultancy firm was born and since then Mokaya has never looked back. “I love everything data and computing,” he says. “I saw a gap in this market and went for it.”
Being a start-up, he had lots of challenges raising capital. So he approached his parents and friends from whom he raised Ksh100,000. “It was absolutely incredible how my parents bought the idea,” said Mokaya, who in his twenties has already racked up an impressive resume that includes winning a local battle of ideas at the iHub. International Business Machines (IBM), the US multinational technology and consulting corporation, has also noticed him.
Mokaya started computing data and consultancy when he realised that a lot more needed to be done in the Kenyan Big Data industry, apart from the usual compilation. Big Data is characterized by high volumes, speed and variety amounting to petabytes or zerabytes, such as IEBC, banking and KNEC exam results data. “I needed to employ my expertise to help software in solving problems in schools and various companies. Afromedia has been instrumental in laying that foundation,” he says.
If some algorithms are applied to the big data, he says, some patterns can be noted and visualisation graphs can be used to further derive relationships in datasets that can give insights, for example why a certain county has low performance in KCPE.”
His favourite method of getting clients is serial networking that has for one year seen him win fans all the way in Kampala, Uganda. “Afromedia is the next big thing in media. My technical team is up to the challenge,” says Mokaya.
He has attended many conferences and befriended big data field moguls. His dream is to be just like them and even overtake some. “Our vision is to be at the top and transform this industry and overtake some of our hugest competitors. It is possible,” he says with a giggle, knowing to well that it won’t be an easy task in an industry where leaders sleep with one eye open.
He has created a networking forum alongside young CEOs, among them Ruth Mawia Mwanzia, the founder of Koola Waters and Danson Muchemi, the founder of Jambo Pay, among many others. “We have to put a human face to what we are doing and build our communities as well. People are the greatest assets of entrepreneurship. It felt good to have people supporting our brands.”
Despite the early taste of success, Mokaya’s greatest challenge is cybercrime, especially hackers. “Cybercrime is a threat to everyone in computing. However, we are on the lookout to configure our websites.”
Lack of Big Data knowledge is also another challenge that has continued to threaten Afromedia’s service delivery. In Kenya, he says, a lot of people still do not understand how big data operates.
“I’ve always had a strong interest to inform people in every instrument of technology on Big Data. Many people, including companies are still traditional on how they store and compile their data,” he says.
Next up for him and Afromedia is to expand the business from its location to across Kenya and Africa in the next five years. “We want Afromedia to stand out I have learnt the business side of analytical data, consultancy and general media.”
Bill Gates and Robert Kiyosaki inspire him, more so their baby steps to being successful entrepreneurs. He says he’s doing what he loves most. “It was the hardest sacrifice I ever made in my life but I don’t regret anyway,” says about quiting teaching.
He says counties and national government should to fully employ technology and give the youth a chance to grow the sector and has some advice for youth: “They must think outside the box,” he says. “Share your ideas and seek coaching and if possible incubation. These, combined, lead to successful entrepreneurship.”
For now, Mokaya and his three part-time employees remain optimistic. He looks forward to starting a technical school offering the British Curriculum.
His parting shot? “Instead of abusing people on social media, young people should seek ideas and network.”
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