There are moments that do not feel real until much later, and this is one of them.
On 23rd May 2026, EcoGlow emerged as the overall winner of AwardX Kenya 2026, earning 1st Place and receiving the grand prize of $700, a scholarship to one of the LaunchX Summer Programs in San Diego, and opportunities for strategic partnerships to further develop the project.
EcoGlow began with something very simple: observation.
In many communities across Kenya, families still rely on kerosene lamps and other unsafe lighting sources. While this has become a normal reality in some areas, the long-term consequences are significant. These lighting methods are costly over time, harmful to human health, and detrimental to the environment.
That reality stayed with us. Slowly, it evolved into a question we could not stop thinking about: What would it take to make safe, affordable, and sustainable lighting accessible to every household?
That question became EcoGlow.
The AwardX Kenya 2026 Demo Day brought together some of the country’s most promising young innovators, each presenting solutions to pressing challenges in climate technology, agriculture, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. The event provided a platform for students to transform ideas into impactful ventures while learning from one another’s experiences and perspectives.
Presenting EcoGlow was both exciting and challenging. It pushed us to clearly articulate not only what we are building, but why it matters. The experience also offered valuable opportunities to receive feedback, answer critical questions, and engage with fellow innovators tackling equally important issues.
We were particularly inspired by the creativity and ingenuity demonstrated by the other finalists. The runners-up, HewaSafi, developed an innovative solution focused on improving air quality and promoting healthier living environments. The Most Innovative Project Award recognized the outstanding work of Washington Muriithi, Maxwell Obama, Promise Misati, Lucas Nawakan, and Christopher Njenga for their forward-thinking approach to solving contemporary challenges.
Other notable projects included the E-Crop Disease Detector, developed by Evans Alweyi, Phisael Anzenga, and Ahmed Kusow, which leverages technology to help farmers identify crop diseases early and improve agricultural productivity. PlastBack, led by Kelvin Nagorot, addressed environmental sustainability through innovative approaches to plastic waste management and recycling.
These projects demonstrated the remarkable potential of young people to create solutions that address real-world problems and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Being among such talented innovators made the experience even more memorable and reinforced the importance of collaboration, creativity, and perseverance.
AwardX Kenya 2026 will remain a significant milestone for us—not only because of the recognition EcoGlow received, but because it reminded us what is possible when young people are given the space, trust, mentorship, and opportunity to transform ideas into reality.
As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to advancing EcoGlow’s mission of making safe and sustainable lighting accessible to more households while continuing to learn, innovate, and create positive impact.
By Zeinab Mohamed and Jacklyne Wawira
Winners, AwardX Kenya 2026
