Capstone Project to Prize-winning Startup: Kenyan Equitech Scholar reflects on his journey
Otieno Collins Junior is a Kenyan Equitech Scholar from 2024. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Data Science and Analytics at the United States International University Africa. This interview was conducted by Equitech's Chief Community Officer on the occassion of Collins pitching at the National Presidential Challenge and Innovation Awards hosted by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) in March 2025. The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.
Thomas:
Hello, I’m Thomas Murray, Chief Community Officer with Equitech Futures, and I am thrilled to be joined today by one of our incredible Equitech Scholars, Otieno Collins Jr., from Kenya, who is part of our 2024 cohort. Collins, thank you so much for joining us today!
Collins:
Thank you, Thomas. I’m equally excited to be here and can’t wait to have this conversation.
Thomas:
You’ve been a busy scholar. In addition to completing your coursework as an undergraduate, you've also managed to start your own company—Shamba Salama. That name is Swahili, right?
Collins:
Yes, that's right. "Shamba Salama" means "smart farming" in Swahili. Since I’m Kenyan, it felt natural to use Swahili, as it’s the most spoken language in my country.
Thomas:
I love that. Can you share a bit more about the goals of your startup?
Collins:
Of course. Shamba Salama provides mobile-enabled agricultural extension services for smallholder farmers in Kenya. The reason I started it is because we have around 6 million smallholder farmers in Kenya, and they contribute significantly to the country’s economy by producing agricultural products. However, many of these farmers lack access to crucial information about best farming practices. We have very few extension offices, so information is limited, which ultimately affects their agricultural output. Shamba Salama aims to bridge that gap and help farmers improve their production, which in turn supports the economy.
Thomas:
That sounds like such an impactful initiative! Is this community of smallholder farmers something you’ve grown up with?
Collins:
Yes, Thomas, absolutely. I’ve lived in a small rural community, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges these farmers face. Despite their hard work, many of them can’t even provide for their families because their output isn’t enough. It’s a challenge I’ve seen not just in my community, but across many rural areas in Kenya. These farmers should be able to sustain themselves and their families, but they lack the resources and knowledge to do so. That’s why it’s so important for me to help these farmers improve their livelihoods.
Thomas:
It’s incredible that you’ve chosen to invest your time and energy into such a meaningful project. I know you’ve also had some early success with Shamba Salama. You recently participated in the Kenya National Innovation Agency’s Presidential Challenge and Innovation Awards, and you were selected as a finalist at the county level in Migori County. Can you tell us about that experience?
Collins:
Getting this opportunity was huge for me. It felt like the right chance to gain the resources needed to bring my idea to life. The competition started at the county level, with participants from 47 counties in Kenya. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist from my county. When I found out, I was so excited—it was a major step forward for Shamba Salama. From there, I moved to the next stage, where I had to pitch my idea to national judges. The event took place in Naivasha, Nakuru County, and the stakes were high, with a $50,000 prize up for grabs. I spent a whole week preparing for the pitch, and presenting my idea in front of a national audience was such a unique experience. It wasn’t just a competition for me; it was a chance to show people how impactful this startup could be for our community and for Kenya as a whole.
Thomas:
That’s amazing! And I know that even as a finalist, you’ve already received $5,000 in seed funding. That’s a great start. How are you feeling about the next stage of the competition?
Collins:
I’m keeping my fingers crossed! The $5,000 will definitely help get things started for Shamba Salama. But I’m really hoping to secure the $50,000 prize, which would allow us to do a lot more and scale up the project. It would make a huge difference for us.
Thomas:
We’re all rooting for you, Collins! The entire Equitech Scholars network is incredibly proud of you. It’s inspiring to see you representing Migori County and already making such an impact with Shamba Salama. But I’d love to ask you about the role that networks and community have played in your journey. How important have they been to your success?
Collins:
That’s a great question, Thomas. Networking has been incredibly important to me. The idea for Shamba Salama actually came from my capstone project at Equitech Futures. I got connected to the Equitech Scholars program through networking, and it was a pivotal moment in my journey. Through the program, I gained access to a community of incredible people who have helped me refine my idea. For instance, Linda, who’s in charge of entrepreneurship, provided valuable feedback that helped me fine-tune my presentation for the national competition. The support and feedback from the Equitech Futures network have been invaluable. I’ve learned that having access to a strong network of people who genuinely want to help you succeed is essential. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue building my network—not just for Shamba Salama, but to keep growing personally and professionally.
Thomas:
I think you’re already building something incredible, Collins. Your initiative, your drive, and your ability to connect with others will take you far. I truly believe this is just the beginning for you. Thank you again for taking the time to share your story with us today. We’re all excited to see what’s next for Shamba Salama!
Collins:
Thank you so much, Thomas. It means a lot to me to have your support and the support of the entire Equitech Scholars Network. It’s been a pleasure talking with you today.
