Ruto's Message To Four Kenyan Students Who Won Ksh120 Million

President William Ruto has congratulated four students from St Paul's University who emerged victorious on Tuesday night, September 20 over four finalists in the 2022 Hult Prize held in New York, USA.

The students,Keylie Muthoni, Dullah Shiltone, Lennox Omondi and Brian Ndung’u, were part of a team which was awarded a Ksh120 million prize for their innovation, Eco-bana Limited. 

Their startup involves a special way of manufacturing biodegradable sanitary pads using banana fibre. Through the innovation, they aim at preventing the manufacturing of plastic by providing biodegradable towels to tame period poverty.

The four Kenyan university students holding up a trophy after their innovation won the 2022 Hult Prize. /FACEBOOK

In his message on Wednesday, September 21, Ruto praised their victory and their innovation as the kind his administration has been championing for.

"Congratulations to Eco-Bana, a Kenyan social venture started by four university students, that has just won the prestigious Hult Prize and a cash award of 1 million dollars. The prize is awarded to entrepreneurs who strive to tackle pressing global issues through innovation.

"The firm makes hygienic sanitary pads from banana fibres. This is the Hustler Spirit that we are keen to support," he wrote.

The Hultz prize finals saw five finalists make their pitches before an elite team of judges who would decide on the ultimate winner. The event was also attended by former US President Bill Clinton.

The other finalists include Breer (Hong Kong), Savvy Engineers (Pakistan), Openversum (Switzerland), Cooseii (Taiwan) and Flexie (Australia).

“With $1 million (Ksh120 million), we're confident that we will be the best and become number one producers of biodegradable sanitary towels in Kenya and East Africa,” Omondi, one of the students, told Nation.Africa

"We're a team with a mind for business and a heart for the world. We’ll continue creating sustainable enterprises that will shape the future of the sanitary towels industry that will drive entrepreneurship growth,” he added. 

During their pitch, Ndung'u projected that their startup would help create over 2,000 employment opportunities for Kenyans in 2024 and generate over Ksh6 billion in sales.

“On Tuesday, at exactly 1.58 pm New York time, Eco-Bana is here to ask for one million dollars to make our dreams come true. We predict to sell more than three million pads, generating over Ksh6 billion and employ more than 2,000 people by 2024,” the student noted. 

The four Kenyan university students holding up a trophy after their innovation won the 2022 Hult Prize. /FACEBOOK