Kenyan Innovators Awarded Ksh.200K To Create Ventilator Prototype

The Ministry of Trade through Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina has awarded 200,000 shillings to four young innovators to finance them come up with a proper prototype of a ventilator

The four, Samuel Ndegwa, Dr. J. Nderitu, Paul Kariuki, and Peter Ndegwa, had already made a prototype that had a small gap due to financial difficulties which is set to be perfected with the 200,000 shillings.

“The money was delegated to KIRDI (Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute), they will hand us the money after receiving portions from KEBS and KIPI (Kenya Industrial Property Institute),” one of the innovators said.

Dr. J. Nderitu will work together with the team of innovators to ensure the final product is safe to use on patients who are in dire need of air but have breathing difficulties at a time Kenya has many of those following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The four have 10 days to come up with a prototype that meets international standards as the Country is currently combating a viral epidemic that is projected to infect at least 10,000 by the end of the month and lead to 400 deaths.

“CS Betty saw our prototype and said she will support our idea and was happy that we are trying to help the government and Kenyans, she promised to guide us till the process is complete,” Paul Kariuki, one of the innovators said.

The 200,000 shillings is meant for the purchase of equipment for the prototype and the needed facilitation during the 10-day project to create a ventilator prototype.

The Ministry of Trade confirmed the Tuesday,7^th March 2020 meeting with CS Betty and the innovators tweeting, “Four young innovators have won government admiration for coming up with a ventilator.”

“Samuel Ndegwa, Dr. J. Nderitu, Paul Kariuki, and Peter Ndegwa will now work under KIRDI to produce a prototype which meets global standards,” the tweet by the Ministry of Trade noted.

A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air in and out of lungs to a patient who is physically unable to breathe to save their lives.

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