Introducing Robert Muigai

Robert is one of our three dedicated ambassadors in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a law student at Strathmore Law School. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Navvi team!

Why are you excited to be a part of Navvi.com?

"Looking back at how the world has come to evolve, one thing that stands out is that information is power. And those who are able to provide this information have the power to change the mindset of thousands of people by only using their words.

When I heard about the Navvi project, I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to provide information that could educate a lot of people. Having worked on some research projects before, I was able to understand and appreciate the hard work that goes into producing reports which many people and companies use in implementing their strategies.

Working with Navvi is also a great opportunity to interact with other users around the world. It is also a great opportunity to look at other people perspectives on contentious issues and comparing them with your own. That I think is one of the best ways of learning. When you are able to stand back and look at what is happening, not only from your eyes, but from other people’s eyes as well.”

South Sudan: Featured Navvi Post

Each week, our fabulous closed beta users receive Navvi post inspiration. 

Last weeks prompt:

South Sudan is a current point of interest in the news. What are the issues that interest you? Why is this news relevant to you in Kenya? What is your insight? How does the conflict and crisis relate to food, water, energy, infrastructure, environment and/or health? 

Andrew Ruto, a student at Strathmore and one of our closed beta users, posted about the importance of South Sudan’s oil industry on Sudan’s livelihood and the effect civil war has on this vital industry.

Andrew wrote, "South Sudan produces 85% of Sudanese oil output. Oil revenues constitute more than 98% of the government of South Sudan’s budget. The current civil war going on in South Sudan means that the economy of the country has been crippled due to the civil war that came up barely a month ago." 

Closed beta users can read more here - http://navvi.com/#live-feed/article/2647

Introducing Antony Wainaina Kariuki

"My name is Antony Wainaina Kariuki. I am a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications student at Strathmore University. I am really passionate about technology and I love Navvi.com as it provides me with news that is relevant to my daily life.”

Antony is one of our three amazing Ambassadors who comes to us from Nairobi. As an Ambassador, Antony acts as a liaison between Navvi.com’s Community Engagement team and Strathmore University. Not only is Antony a Navvi Ambassador, but also a Microsoft Student Partner.

What exactly does your role as Microsoft Student Partner entail:

"The Microsoft student partner program entails being the contact person between Microsoft and my university, and assisting in hosting Microsoft events within campus, and providing training for Microsoft technologies."

How do you feel Navvi.com can help make a difference: 

"I believe Navvi.com will be a great platform to connect people with similar insights on particular sectors. It will be of great use to researchers who would love to have the view of other religions on their research scope."

@iLabAfrica features Navvi.com

@iLabAfrica featured Navvi.com in a blog post dedicated to our community engagement team’s visit to train beta test users from Nairobi’s Strathmore University, whose IT faculty founded iLab January 2011.

Their goal is “to spearhead research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the ICT for Development (ICT4D) ecosystem towards the attainment of the UNDP Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Kenya’s Vision 2030.”

@iLabAfrica has partnered with big names including Google and Samsung. Google is working with iLab to provide mobile bootcamp training across the country and with Samsung to reengineer their product to African Market conditions. 

Keep on the lookout for iLab’s feature on Navvi’s CEO, Natalie Spencer. 

Our latest group of students were trained last week at Strathmore University’s iLab Africa in Nairobi. Their contributions to Navvi.com so far include posts on everything from undernourishment in Kenya to the effects of domestic tourism to flamingos fleeing Lake Naivasha due to high water levels. And their feedback on Navvi beta has been extremely helpful. Keep up the great work!

Navvi Beta Testers

Dozens of Strathmore University students joined Navvi as beta testers this afternoon in Nairobi. Morning and afternoon two-hour training sessions with Navvi staff were at full capacity in the university’s high tech iLabAfrica. And the students’ posts are streaming in!