Safaricom 1 Million Reward for Appstar Challenge Winner

Nairobi, November 16 Leading integrated communications provider Safaricom has presented Kshs 1 million to Gerald Kibugi as the overall winner in the recently concluded Appstar Challenge. Gerald won for his game "Tough Jungle" while Gilbert Rono's Education App dubbed "Eureka" took the runners-up position.

In addition to winning the prize kitty of Shs. 1 million and Shs. 500,000 respectively, the two will present their Apps at the Vodafone Innovation Apps Challenge in South Africa, where they will compete with the developers of the best two Apps from Tanzania, Lesotho, South Africa, Egypt and Qatar.

Speaking at the during the presentation of awards to the winners of the Safaricom Appstar Challenge, Safaricom's Executive Business Analyst Nicholas Mulila said, "Kenya registered 894 submissions, out of which we got a total of 215 Apps that were submitted in the six categories of this App-Star challenge- the highest number entered in the challenge."

"I am especially encouraged that most of the entries were in the Productivity and Utilities category, pointing to the distinct determination by Kenyan developers to find solutions to the everyday problems that Kenyans face. This is aligned to Safaricom's vision to transform lives in this country," he added.

He said Safaricom has been working with iHub, Strathmore University and other developer communities, with a view to helping build capacity to come up with commercially viable Apps.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Communications and Information Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo said the Appstar Challenge has given more incentive to government plans to achieve the aspirations in Vision 2030.

"We already have the infrastructure and we now need to develop local content and Applications so that we can recoup the investments made in the installation of infrastructure. I commend all winners and wish to encourage those who haven't won not to give up, because they could their Apps and win in revenue generation", he said.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Communications and Information Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo said the Appstar Challenge has given more incentive to government plans to achieve the aspirations in Vision 2030.

He said, "With a 99% internet access rate through mobile devices there has been a marked growth in mobile application development in Kenya over the last few years. Usage patterns of the subscribers including access to Social media, communication and gaming have helped developers create solutions form opportunities within these fields".

The winners of the Appstar Challenge are:

• Safaricom Appstar Challenge – Gerald Kibugi – Grand Prize Winner – Tough Jungle
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gilbert Rono – Runner Up - Eureka

Category Winners

• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Thomas Kioko – Best Productivity and Utilities App-Nduru
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Marcel Ogweno - Best Health App – Mimba Bora
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gerald Kibugi – Best Game App – Tough Jungle
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gordon Owiti – Best Agriculture App – M-Shamba
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gilbert Rono – Best Education App - Eureka
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Vincent Maraba – Best Financial Inclusion App – Pesa Tracker

About Safaricom

Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. It is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15.2 million customers and over 45,000 Agent outlets countrywide.

Nairobi, November 16 Leading integrated communications provider Safaricom has presented Kshs 1 million to Gerald Kibugi as the overall winner in the recently concluded Appstar Challenge. Gerald won for his game "Tough Jungle" while Gilbert Rono's Education App dubbed "Eureka" took the runners-up position.

In addition to winning the prize kitty of Shs. 1 million and Shs. 500,000 respectively, the two will present their Apps at the Vodafone Innovation Apps Challenge in South Africa, where they will compete with the developers of the best two Apps from Tanzania, Lesotho, South Africa, Egypt and Qatar.

Speaking at the during the presentation of awards to the winners of the Safaricom Appstar Challenge, Safaricom's Executive Business Analyst Nicholas Mulila said, "Kenya registered 894 submissions, out of which we got a total of 215 Apps that were submitted in the six categories of this App-Star challenge- the highest number entered in the challenge."

"I am especially encouraged that most of the entries were in the Productivity and Utilities category, pointing to the distinct determination by Kenyan developers to find solutions to the everyday problems that Kenyans face. This is aligned to Safaricom's vision to transform lives in this country," he added.

He said Safaricom has been working with iHub, Strathmore University and other developer communities, with a view to helping build capacity to come up with commercially viable Apps.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Communications and Information Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo said the Appstar Challenge has given more incentive to government plans to achieve the aspirations in Vision 2030.

"We already have the infrastructure and we now need to develop local content and Applications so that we can recoup the investments made in the installation of infrastructure. I commend all winners and wish to encourage those who haven't won not to give up, because they could their Apps and win in revenue generation", he said.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Communications and Information Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo said the Appstar Challenge has given more incentive to government plans to achieve the aspirations in Vision 2030.

He said, "With a 99% internet access rate through mobile devices there has been a marked growth in mobile application development in Kenya over the last few years. Usage patterns of the subscribers including access to Social media, communication and gaming have helped developers create solutions form opportunities within these fields".

The winners of the Appstar Challenge are:

• Safaricom Appstar Challenge – Gerald Kibugi – Grand Prize Winner – Tough Jungle
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gilbert Rono – Runner Up - Eureka

Category Winners

• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Thomas Kioko – Best Productivity and Utilities App-Nduru
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Marcel Ogweno - Best Health App – Mimba Bora
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gerald Kibugi – Best Game App – Tough Jungle
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gordon Owiti – Best Agriculture App – M-Shamba
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Gilbert Rono – Best Education App - Eureka
• Safaricom Appstar Challenge - Vincent Maraba – Best Financial Inclusion App – Pesa Tracker

About Safaricom

Safaricom provides a comprehensive range of services under one roof. This includes mobile and fixed voice and data services on a variety of platforms. It is Kenya's widest 3G network with a growing fibre optic cable footprint and its most expansive WIMAX presence.

Safaricom pioneered commercial mobile money transfer globally through M-PESA, the most successful such service anywhere in the world. Launched in March 2007 as a money transfer service, it now has over 15.2 million customers and over 45,000 Agent outlets countrywide.